The California Energy Commission Feb. 23 approved over $8 million in expenditures, including a $2 million agreement with the California Air Resources Board and a $1 million contract with University of California, Los Angeles. The $2 million interagency agreement is to help augment the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Vehicle Rebate project, promoting electric vehicle purchases. The money is set to go toward rebates for buyers of “freeway capable” four-passenger plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, program manager Linda Schrupp said. The $1 million contract with UCLA is for helping create software to evaluate and analyze regional energy use and its environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The researchers are expected to partner with the Los Angeles Regional Climate Sustainability Cooperative on the project. The baseline data derived will be used to develop a climate action sustainability plan for the Los Angeles region. The commission granted almost $1 million to Electric Power Group for analysis and research in implementing technology at the California Independent System Operator network. This was the second business meeting for the commission since Bob Weisenmiller was confirmed as chair by the state Senate earlier this month. Thus far, there’s been no shake-up in board policy or operating procedures since he assumed the post from Karen Douglas. This was the final meeting for commission member Jeff Byron. Byron served on the board since being appointed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in June 2006. The commissioner, who declined to seek a second five-year term, is set to be replaced on the commission March 1 by Governor Jerry Brown-appointee Carla Peterman.