The California Energy Commission on January 3 approved an update to a report that is supposed to serve as the state's governing energy policy - the 2006 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update (IEPR). In it, the agency expresses dismay that the state's renewables portfolio standard has failed to deliver as much renewable energy as expected. "We seem to be stalled," said commission chair Jackie Pfannenstiel. The latest policy report focuses on California's renewable energy portfolio standard program, making recommendations on how to better achieve its goals "in the near term and the long term," according to Lorraine White, commission project manager for the 2007 IEPR. It also evaluates the relationship between land-use decisions and energy consequences, recommending that land-use decision processes factor in less polluting energy resources. "The 2006 IEPR really moved our thinking and our analysis in both these areas quite a ways," said Pfannenstiel. Referring to land use, Pfannenstiel said that it was a "blank space" when the commission first jumped into it. "Staff has created space for the commission to discuss how vital it is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." She continued that the issue has been raised and the commission will look at the studies and put them on the table for further research. The governor's office is supposed to approve the report and integrate it into state policy. "We are just in the process of reviewing the report, having just received it," said Sandy Cooney, Resources Agency spokesperson. In other commission action, the CEC, gearing up for summer, approved the data-adequacy recommendations for both the Starwood Power Peaking Project and the Bullard Energy Center. Committees were assigned to both projects. If built, the power plants would help provide energy at peak-use times in Southern California. Extending its work in researching energy efficiency, the commission granted the University of California a $3.75 million amendment to an existing work authorization order. The amendment will allow the State Partnership for Energy Efficiency Demonstrations to expand to all state buildings. Previously, the program had focused on buildings within the University of California and California State University systems. The chief counsel reported that the Department of Energy denied the commission's application for a waiver to implementing tighter standards for clothes washers. The commission may file a petition for reconsideration by January 29, 2007. - Corky Templeman
