Helpful and Handy: Introducing the California Clean Energy Almanac
At the California Energy Commission, we’re nothing if not misers on energy use.
The energy efficiency standards we’ve adopted for buildings and appliances over the past 45 years have saved Californians billions of dollars. This nationally recognized leadership has helped keep the state’s per capita electricity use relatively flat during that time so that today California residents use 31% less energy than the average Americans.
Now, the CEC, which is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, can boast about another kind of energy savings. Our 2020 California Clean Energy Almanac makes it easy to find key facts and figures.
We’ve completely transformed a series of regular reports from detailed compendiums to a handy reference of easy-to-read graphics and factoids about California energy.
Here’s a sampling:
- • The state’s appliance and building energy efficiency standards have resulted in $100 billion in consumer savings over the past 40 years.
- • The electricity sector is leading the state’s greenhouse gas reductions — emissions from power generation have dropped 43 percent since 1990.
- • California arrived three years early in meeting its 2020 goal of having 33 percent of its electricity coming from solar, wind, and other renewable sources.
- • Twenty-two energy innovation startups that received CEC’s Electric Program Investment Charge Program grants tripled their total private investment.
- • About 65 percent of CEC-funded demonstration projects are in low-income or disadvantaged communities, more than double the required proportion.
CEC Chair David Hochschild said the makeover helps to tell the story of California’s commitment to energy efficiency and progress toward 100 percent clean energy.
“It shows statistics and examples of how far we’ve come — and need to go — on the road toward a more resilient, affordable, equitable, and environmentally sustainable energy system,” Hochschild said in the almanac’s introduction. “Transforming California’s energy requires accurate and timely information for decision-makers, consumers and businesses.”
The statistical milestones and examples cover nine areas:
- •Greenhouse gas emissions reductions
- • Energy equity
- • Innovation
- • Efficiency
- • Impacts of Covid-19
- • Clean transportation
- • Investments in clean energy
- • Energy storage
- • Renewable energy
The 2020 Almanac is designed for energy buffs and novices alike. But if you want to drill deeper, the CEC offers detailed analysis on energy markets, power plants, transportation energy, and electricity data — all on the Energy Almanac webpage.
The CEC is the data depository for all things energy-related. Thanks to the new 2020 Almanac, you can conserve time and energy because all the gems are easy to find and explore!
California Energy Commission Holds Milestone Events Celebrating its 45th Anniversary and Honoring Clean Energy Champions
During the December 7 event, energy leaders shared milestones and looked ahead to the many efforts shaping California’s progress. On December 10, the inaugural California Clean Energy Hall of Fame awards honored six energy champions who are helping to advance the state's clean energy goals. Governor Gavin Newsom provided recorded opening remarks for the ceremony.
The December 7 event celebrated the CEC’s 45th anniversary, highlighted its accomplishments, and looked at the future of clean energy and the organization’s continued role in helping California achieve its landmark climate, energy, and equity goals.
The event included two fireside chats. A panel of former CEC commissioners discussed the CEC’s 45-year history of delivering results on key energy policies. Moderated by Commissioner Karen Douglas, featured speakers included former CEC Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller, Carla Peterman, Jananne Sharpless, and Karen Edson.
The second panel looked ahead as California continued to lead the transition to a clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, affordable, and equitable.
Vice Chair Janea A. Scott and Commissioner Andrew McAllister served as moderators. Panelists included Sunrun CEO Lynn Jurich; Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León; BloombergNEF Clean Power Research Head Logan Goldie-Scot; and Self-Help Enterprises Sustainable Energy Solutions Manager Abigail Solis.
The California Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards recognized individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their local communities by helping California advance its clean energy goals. The awards aim to motivate and inspire all stakeholders to continue to lead California to a 100 percent clean energy future for all by 2045.
Dr. James O’Bannon, an energy efficiency contributor and founder of the construction management program at California State University, Chico received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kaushik Tota, founder of the Climate Youth Ambassador Program and a senior at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, won the Youth Game-Changer award.
The Clean Energy Champions were Rey Leon, mayor of the City of Huron and executive director of the Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy Institute; Eddie Price, community and workforce development coordinator at GRID Alternatives in San Diego; Pamela Quan, certified electrician and lead installer at Luminalt Energy Corporation in San Francisco; and Arla Ramsey, vice chair of Blue Lake Rancheria in Humboldt County.
More details about the six awardees can be found here.
Videos for the two virtual events are posted at the 45th anniversary webpage.
CEC Approves Plan to Invest Up to $115 Million for Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a plan that will invest up to $115 million to significantly increase the number of fueling stations in the state that support hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The funding nearly doubles the state’s investments to date and will help California nearly achieve its goal to deploy 200 public hydrogen fueling stations.
The plan, which was approved at the December 9 business meeting, also supports Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035 by providing essential infrastructure to meet the fueling needs of the increasing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) anticipated on the road in the next decade. While battery electric vehicles (BEV) are the most common ZEV in the state, more than 8,000 FCEVs have also been leased or sold.
Under the plan, up to 111 new hydrogen fueling stations will be built in the state by 2027, including many designed for multi-use by passenger vehicles, trucks and buses. Total project funding is subject to annual approval of both the state budget and allocations from the CEC.
To date, the CEC has funded 45 open retail hydrogen stations with an additional 16 under construction. Altogether with the approved plan, there could be up to 179 stations in the state, including seven privately funded stations.
For more about the approved plan, click here.
