The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, six basic responsibilities guide the Energy Commission as it sets state energy policy:
• Forecasting future energy needs
• Promoting energy efficiency and conservation by setting the state’s appliance and building efficiency standards
• Supporting public interest energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development and demonstration programs
• Developing renewable energy resources and alternative renewable energy technologies for buildings, industry and transportation
• Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger
• Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies
The Energy Commission is committed to reducing energy costs and environmental impacts of energy use - such as greenhouse gas emissions - while ensuring a safe, resilient, and reliable supply of energy. The Energy Commission invests in new energy innovations that are leading the way to a cleaner, safer, more affordable and more reliable energy future for California
After graduating from UC Irvine with a degree in Environmental Studies, Kevin Barker went to work in the Renewable Energy Office and the Energy Commission. In 2010, he was hired as Chair Weisenmiller’s policy advisor for renewables and distributed generation. In 2012 he was promoted to Chair Weisenmiller’s chief of staff. His areas of focus are renewables, demand forecasting, electricity supply, research and development, and transmission.
