California Energy Commission

What California Energy Commission does

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, established in 1975 through the Warren-Alquist Act and headquartered in Sacramento. It sits under the California Natural Resources Agency and is governed by five commissioners appointed by the Governor, currently chaired by David Hochschild with Drew Bohan serving as Executive Director. CEC holds exclusive statutory authority over power plant certification for facilities of 50 MW or more, building energy efficiency standards, the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) compliance regime, and the Solar Equipment Lists used for utility interconnection. The agency also runs the Offshore Wind strategic planning process under AB 525 and administers competitive grant and incentive programs spanning clean transportation, building decarbonization, geothermal, and battery manufacturing.

CEC's operational footprint is substantial: it administers over $1.4 billion in Clean Transportation Program funding, $475 million in Proposition 4 (2024 Climate Bond) offshore wind port development capital, $228 million in first-instalment port infrastructure grants, and a $55.2 million CALeVIP expansion for public fast EV chargers. The agency is the de facto capital allocator for California's clean energy transition, channeling funds to battery manufacturers (LiCAP, South 8, Anthro Energy, UNIGRID, Invinity), EV charging networks (bp pulse, WattEV, Helix Water District, it's electric), offshore wind developers, and building decarbonization retrofits in disadvantaged communities. Programmatic offerings include the Power Source Disclosure Program, CalAPP automated permitting, Solar for All, Renewable Energy for Agriculture, and the Geothermal Grant and Loan Program, all distributed via competitive solicitations and implementing partners CALSTART and the Center for Sustainable Energy.

CEC does not sell commercial products or services; it is funded by state budget appropriations, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and federal pass-through grants. Distribution is regulatory (mandatory compliance) and grant-based (competitive GFO solicitations, rebates such as CALeVIP, and partner-administered programs). Since 2021 California has added over 20,000 MW of new clean energy supply, 17,000+ MW of battery storage, and 178,549 public and shared private EV chargers, with 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicles sold since 2010. The 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (effective January 1, 2026) are projected to save consumers $4.8 billion over 30 years, and CEC is now actively litigating against the federal government to protect approximately $100 million in offshore wind investments.

Name

California Energy Commission

Legal name

California Energy Commission

Website

https://energy.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, exercising exclusive authority over power plant certification, building energy codes, and the Renewables Portfolio Standard while administering over $1.4 billion in clean energy and transportation grants to California utilities, developers, and residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Energy Regulation and Policy

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (926130), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy, Utilities & Natural Resources Regulators (BPAIAOAJ)

Keywords

• Energy policy planning
• Renewable energy programs
• Power plant certification
• Building energy standards
• Clean transportation incentives

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is California's primary state energy policy and planning agency, established in 1975. It administers regulatory programs including power plant certification (50+ MW), the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), building energy efficiency standards, and the Power Source Disclosure Program. The agency also distributes grant funding for clean energy, clean transportation, offshore wind, geothermal, and agricultural renewable energy projects through competitive solicitations and incentive programs.

Product overview

The California Energy Commission operates as a platform of government programs rather than a single product. The core offerings include: the Power Source Disclosure Program for retail electricity supplier reporting; the Solar Equipment Lists Program for certified solar components; the Renewables Portfolio Standard certification and compliance program; the California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) for solar permitting; the Geothermal Grant and Loan Program; the Offshore Wind Waterfront Facility Improvement Program; the Proposition 4 Offshore Wind Port Development Program; Solar for All Program for low-income communities; the Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program; and the Residential Solar Permit Reporting Program. These programs are administered through e-filing systems, data portals, and the CEC's subscription services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power Source Disclosure Program
• Solar Equipment Lists Program Program listing PV modules, inverters, batteries, energy storage systems, meters, and power control systems that meet established national safety and performance standards for utility grid connection.
• Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program that sets escalating renewable energy procurement requirements for load-serving entities, with CEC verifying RPS claims through certification and compliance processes.
• California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP) Grant program to assist local governments in establishing online, automated solar permitting platforms such as SolarAPP+ and Symbium.
• Geothermal Grant and Loan Program Program promoting development of geothermal resources and mineral extraction from geothermal brines through competitive grant solicitations.
• Offshore Wind Waterfront Facility Improvement Program Grant program supporting port infrastructure improvements for offshore wind facilities, with three categories for retrofit concepts, final design/construction, and federal cost-share funding.
• Solar for All Program Multi-agency program offering funding for solar and storage projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities and tribal areas.
• Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program (REAP) Program offering grants for renewable energy installations serving agricultural operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Proposition 4 Offshore Wind Port Development Program Program providing up to $475 million in grants to publicly owned ports for offshore wind generation support including infrastructure expansion and facility upgrades.
• Offshore Renewable Energy Program Program coordinating floating offshore wind development in federal waters with other state agencies and BOEM, including strategic planning under AB 525.
• Residential Solar Permit Reporting Program (SB 379) Program requiring California cities and counties to implement online automated permitting for residential solar systems up to 38.4 kW AC.
• Building Energy Efficiency Standards Mandatory energy codes for new construction and renovations covering residential, multifamily, and non-residential buildings, enforced through state regulatory authority.
• CALeVIP Fast Charge California Project Incentive program providing rebates directly to businesses and organizations installing public fast EV chargers in California, administered through the Center for Sustainable Energy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 178,549 EV chargers installed statewide
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• San Diego Gas & Electric CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partner in Alderbuck Energy's 800 VDC solid-state transformer project at San Diego Supercomputer Center, UC San Diego
• LiCAP TechnologiesminorOthers · 18 June 2026$11.3 million CEC grant to expand advanced dry electrode battery and energy storage manufacturing capabilities in Sacramento region
• Electrochemistry Foundry (ECF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026$28 million CEC-funded 20,000 sq ft battery pilot manufacturing facility in Hayward; consortium includes UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Volta Foundation, and Top Material (South Korea)
• South 8 TechnologiesminorOthers · 2 April 2026$9.2 million PowerForward grant for LiGas electrolyte and lithium-ion cell production expansion in San Diego
• Anthro EnergyminorOthers · 24 November 2025$5.5 million PowerForward grant to establish advanced electrolyte and battery cell production in Alameda, California
• bp pulseminorOthers · 23 July 2025$2 million CEC grant supporting bp pulse's largest US EV charging hub near LAX with 48 ultrafast charging bays
• UNIGRIDminorOthers · 2 June 2025$2.9 million RAMP grant for pilot sodium-ion battery production facility in San Diego (Sorrento Valley)
• CALSTARTcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministers the PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Program on behalf of CEC, managing grant awards for advanced battery and energy storage manufacturing in California
• Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministers the CALeVIP Fast Charge California Project, handling EV charging incentive applications and program management for CEC
• Los Angeles CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner administering Equitable Building Decarbonization Program for no-cost electrification retrofits in disadvantaged communities
• Association for Energy AffordabilitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional partner for Equitable Building Decarbonization Program implementation across California
• Pacific Steel GroupminorOthers32 MWh vanadium redox flow battery project for California steel mill, backed by $14 million CEC grant to Invinity Energy Systems
• Santa Barbara City CollegeminorOthers$4.2 million CEC grant for community resilience microgrid integrating solar, battery storage, and EV charging
• UC BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner with it's electric for world's first curbside V2G EV charger development ($1.1 million CEC grant)
• SolarAPP FoundationminorOthers$3.99 million BRIDGE program grant to expand AI-powered digital permitting and inspection tools for solar, storage, and EV chargers

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oregon Public Utility Commission: Oregon's state utility regulatory agency with jurisdiction over electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications providers. Comparable in scope to CEC's regulatory functions for a Pacific Coast state with similar clean energy policy priorities.
• Texas Railroad Commission: Texas state agency with regulatory authority over oil and gas, pipeline safety, and surface mining, including significant energy infrastructure oversight functions. Represents a comparable state-level energy regulatory body, though with different policy orientation.
• Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities: Massachusetts state agency regulating electric, gas, and water utilities, with significant involvement in energy efficiency programs and clean energy policy. Functions as a comparable state-level regulator with similar clean energy policy orientation.
• New York Public Service Commission: New York's state utility regulator with jurisdiction over electric, gas, water, and telecommunications utilities. Functions as a peer regulatory body for utility oversight, rate-setting, and energy policy administration in a major state economy.
• Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: Washington state regulatory agency with jurisdiction over electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and transportation utilities. Comparable in structure and scope to CEC as a Pacific Coast state energy regulator with active clean energy policy development.
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): New York State's primary energy research, development, and deployment agency with similar mandates in renewable energy programs, energy efficiency standards, and clean transportation funding. Operates as a public benefit corporation with comparable program portfolio to CEC.
• Illinois Commerce Commission: Illinois state agency regulating utilities, transportation, and pipeline safety with comparable scope to CEC. Engages in similar state-level energy policy and planning activities including renewable portfolio standards and energy efficiency programs.
• Colorado Public Utilities Commission: Colorado state regulator overseeing electric, gas, and telecommunications utilities with significant clean energy policy development including Xcel Energy resource planning and renewable energy standards. Comparable in scope and policy orientation to CEC.
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC): California's sister state regulatory agency responsible for regulating investor-owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and railroad utilities. Operates within the same state government structure as CEC with overlapping jurisdiction over energy policy, making it the most direct peer comparison.

Broad incumbents

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity transmission, wholesale electricity markets, and natural gas infrastructure. Operates as a broader incumbent regulator over energy markets that CEC's state-level decisions must align with, particularly relevant for offshore wind and interstate transmission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calenergy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/calenergycommission
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAEnergy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-energy-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/calenergy
• TikToktiktok.com/@calenergy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments114 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Energy Commission