The five-member California Energy Commission is now down three commissioners, and two California Public Utilities Commission members face confirmation deadlines later this month. In spite of the growing urgency to make sure the agencies can effectively function, there has hardly been a peep from the governor’s office on the energy agency commission front. “No one benefits from a limited number of people on the dais,” said Steven Kelly, Independent Energy Producers policy director. Perhaps as noteworthy is that the commission appointment rumor mill has been uncharacteristically quiet. “The silence is deafening,” said one insider--an oft-heard sentiment. Some say the politicians’ lack of attention is related to ongoing state budget issues and/or an energy agency consolidation attempt. Gov. Jerry Brown has been preoccupied with the state’s growing deficit and sluggish economy. He announced his proposed 2012 state spending blueprint Jan. 5. During his pitch to close the massive state budget hole, he noted that “bold moves” on several fronts would continue, including in the areas of greenhouse gas reductions and alternative energy. In the meantime, one Energy Commission seat has been vacant for a year and the other since the end of 2011. The Warren-Alquist Act requires the governor to fill commission posts within 30 days. “Any vacancy shall be filled by the Governor within 30 days of the date on which a vacancy occurs for the unexpired portion of the term in which it occurs or for any new term of office. If the Governor fails to make an appointment for any vacancy within such 30-day period, the Senate Rules Committee may make the appointment to fill the vacancy,” states the 1974 act that led to the creation of the Energy Commission. Energy Commission member Jim Boyd’s last day was Dec. 30. The other vacancy--the year-long unfilled Energy Commission post--stems from the lack of confirmation of former Energy Commission member Anthony Eggert, who was appointed in January 2010 by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but not confirmed within the requisite 12 months. Neither the governor nor Senate has moved to fill the void. Some insiders say that Brown and the Senate Rules Committee reached a deal to leave the spot open. Since 1995, there have been a number of attempts to reorganize the state’s various energy-related agencies. The most recent agency consolidation effort was launched by Schwarzenegger. Last year, the state Little Hoover Commission again began looking into an energy state reorganization in response to a letter from Sen. Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad). He asked whether the state’s renewable growth goals would be impeded by the multiple agency structure. The Little Hoover Commission notes its study is to “examine previous consolidation efforts and assess how the state’s energy-related organizations are working together to achieve state goals and facilitate local efforts to improve the generation and delivery of power to consumers.” A public meeting is set for Feb. 28. The previous meeting was held Nov. 15, 2011. Stakeholders told the Little Hoover Commission last November that “despite the agency dysfunctions, things are working out,” said Carole D’Elia, commission deputy executive director. She added that the commissioners seek more testimony on the cost and reliability impacts of more renewable-generated electricity. However, a completed agency reorganization study is unlikely. D’Elia noted that no one in the Brown administration has indicated an interest in developing an energy agency reorganization plan. If one of the three sitting Energy Commissioners--chair Bob Weisenmiller, Karen Douglas or Carla Peterman--are absent, no votes can be cast as a quorum of three is necessary for commission action. Lack of a quorum could interfere with the permitting of power plants and approval of energy research and development contracts and grants. CPUC members Mike Florio and Catherine Sandoval must be confirmed by the Senate by Jan. 20. On Jan. 5, the Senate Rules Committee set a Jan. 18 confirmation hearing for Florio and Sandoval. The full Senate must confirm them by Jan. 20. CPUC member Mark Ferron has until March to be confirmed in his post. California Energy Commission member Peterman is scheduled to go before the Senate Rules Committee Jan. 11. She must be confirmed by the Senate by Jan. 20, a year after she was appointed by Brown.
