California Energy Commission

Amid allegations of conflict of interest, the five members of the California Energy Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to tell lawmakers there was no benefit to fixing service station pumps to end an inequity that may be costing Californians millions of dollars a year.

Despite strong opposition from environmentalists, the state Assembly on Thursday approved controversial legislation that allows a solar energy developer to bypass local agencies in seeking to build a large-scale power plant in a valley that is home to desert tortoises, golden eagles and bighorn sheep. The nation's leading environmental groups see K Road Power's proposed 663-megawatt Calico Solar plant as one of the most ecologically damaging renewable energy projects in the California desert.

An official who played a key role in the state's response to the 2000-01 energy crisis is now a director of a power company that became noteworthy when Californians faced persistent shortages and occasional blackouts. William J. Keese, 66, quit in April after eight years as chairman of the California Energy Commission, where he had a lead role in deciding where power plants could be built. Last week, he joined the board of directors of Calpine Corp.

Which California city currently has more solar power installations within its boundaries and generates more solar energy than any other? Here's a hint: it's not Los Angeles. San Diego is the California leader when it comes to solar power, according to a new statewide analysis that will be unveiled there Tuesday morning by the Environment California Research and Policy Center. In 2011, San Diego had 4,507 solar power installations, generating almost 36.7  megawatts of power from the sun. To put that in perspective, Environment California said that would be enough to rank San Diego among the top 25 nations in the world.

When octogenarian Arthur H. Rosenfeld vacates his utilitarian office at the California Energy Commission this week, one of his final tasks might seem of little consequence: He'll turn off the lights. But that simple act -- some would say compulsion -- has transformed California into a world leader in energy efficiency. California homes are loaded with personal computers, widescreen TVs, iPods, PlayStations, air conditioners, massive refrigerators, hot tubs and swimming pool pumps.

Despite strong opposition from environmentalists, the state Assembly on Thursday approved controversial legislation that allows a solar energy developer to bypass local agencies in seeking to build a large-scale power plant in a valley that is home to desert tortoises, golden eagles and bighorn sheep. The nation's leading environmental groups see K Road Power's proposed 663-megawatt Calico Solar plant as one of the most ecologically damaging renewable energy projects in the California desert.

Energy Commission Orders 100 Natural Gas School Buses: Part of a $100-million program to replace older California school buses with clean-burning vehicles, the buses will be delivered to the California Energy Commission by fall, 1992. Blue Bird Body Co. of Atlanta will build the bus, which will be powered by a turbocharged engine burning compressed natural gas, developed by Tecogen Inc. of Waltham, Mass.

Which California city currently has more solar power installations within its boundaries and generates more solar energy than any other? Here's a hint: it's not Los Angeles. San Diego is the California leader when it comes to solar power, according to a new statewide analysis that will be unveiled there Tuesday morning by the Environment California Research and Policy Center. In 2011, San Diego had 4,507 solar power installations, generating almost 36.7  megawatts of power from the sun. To put that in perspective, Environment California said that would be enough to rank San Diego among the top 25 nations in the world.

Armenia's Oil, Gas Reserves to Be Assessed: Announcing a potential new foreign market for California energy technology, Armenia, the U.S. and California have agreed to conduct a resource assessment of the new democracy's energy potential. Part of the agreement gives preference to U.S. companies to provide personnel and equipment for exploration and production.

The California Energy Commission rejected a proposal that would have created a state gasoline bank to blunt price spikes, citing fears that the bank could make things worse for consumers. The bank would have been available during gasoline shortages, but its supplies would also have been auctioned daily to lessen the major oil companies' hold on California's fuel supply.

How the new energy standards will work California has imposed energy efficiency standards on portable electronics chargers that will affect just about every home and business in the Golden State. Q: What's the problem with chargers? A: They waste as much as 60% of the energy they consume, even when no device is connected. Q: What devices are covered by the new mandates? A: Cellphones, laptop and tablet computers, power tools, toothbrushes, razors and hundreds of other consumer electronics items.

State regulators on Wednesday unanimously cleared the Abengoa Mojave Solar Project for construction, pushing California closer to approving 4,300 megawatts of solar power by the end of the year. The 250-megawatt Abengoa project is one of nine solar proposals angling for the go-ahead from the California Energy Commission by the end of 2010, when federal stimulus funds expire. The commission unanimously approved the 250-megawatt Beacon Solar Energy Project at the end of August and is likely to consider the 1,000-megawatt Blythe Solar Power Project next week.

When octogenarian Arthur H. Rosenfeld vacates his utilitarian office at the California Energy Commission this week, one of his final tasks might seem of little consequence: He'll turn off the lights. But that simple act -- some would say compulsion -- has transformed California into a world leader in energy efficiency. California homes are loaded with personal computers, widescreen TVs, iPods, PlayStations, air conditioners, massive refrigerators, hot tubs and swimming pool pumps.

Psychologists call it the norm to conform. A well-known behavioral phenomenon that prompts people to mimic the actions of their peers, this subtle psychological trick is being used by utilities to cut their customers' electricity use. Providing customers with information on how their energy use compares with their neighbors', along with specific energy-saving tips, has delivered dramatic results for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which...

California policymakers have played a vital role in promoting energy conservation in the United States, forcing manufacturers to produce less electricity-hungry kitchen appliances, air conditioners and numerous other devices large and small. Now the California Energy Commission is proposing the nation's first wattage limits for television sets. Applicable initially to TVs with screens up to 58 inches in diagonal (rules for larger sets to come), the standard would kick in two years from now if approved by the commission next month, with even tougher limits taking effect in 2013.

Re "California may pull plug on big TVs that guzzle energy," Sept. 18 This is a wonderful argument for more support for residential solar power units. The only reason that such support will not be forthcoming, though, is that the utilities, especially in Southern California, can feel their market slipping away. Suppose, power generators, that you no longer had to build expensive power plants for growing demand or maintain so many expensive transmission lines? Suppose that you purchased power from the small solar generators for sale to your customers who did not have solar?

Inglewood this week received kudos from a state commission for saving energy by installing a cost-cutting new cooling system at City Hall. "Others need to pay attention to Inglewood," said Stephen M. Rhoads, executive director of the California Energy Commission. He told city officials that Inglewood is a leader among California cities in energy conservation. The city's Thermal Energy Storage Cooling System, which cost $453,000, was dedicated Tuesday, though it began operating in early June.

The California Energy Commission approved a $500-million expansion of the Moss Landing electricity plant on the edge of Monterey Bay. The expansion, which was opposed by environmentalists, would add 1,060 megawatts to Moss Landing's 1,500-megawatt capacity. When completed in 2003, the Duke Energy-owned plant will generate enough power to light 2.6 million homes.

Amid allegations of conflict of interest, the five members of the California Energy Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to tell lawmakers there was no benefit to fixing service station pumps to end an inequity that may be costing Californians millions of dollars a year.

Imagine a vat of liquid cow manure covering the area of five football fields and 33 feet deep. Meet California's most-alternative new energy. On a dairy farm near Fresno, manure is being turned into natural gas for use by PG&E in what the utility hopes will be a new way to power homes with renewable, if not entirely clean, energy.