(April 28, 2010) California Chamber of Commerce-supported legislation to streamline California government entities dealing with energy policy is moving in the Legislature.

AB 2561 (Villines; R-Fresno) streamlines government by consolidating the state’s various commissions, divisions, authorities, offices and departments with responsibility for energy policy into a new California Department of Energy.

The CalChamber and a coalition of business and industry groups, as well as utility companies, are urging legislators to support the consolidation.

Currently, responsibility for creating and implementing California’s energy policies are spread within a broad range of entities. This dispersion of responsibility creates confusion, lessens transparency and makes no one accountable.

Consolidating the state’s authority under a new department will create greater accountability with clear lines of leadership, responsibility and authority for developing, implementing and coordinating the state’s energy policy.

Supporters of AB 2561 note that California’s energy policy infrastructure was set up and evolved in the last century and is antiquated at best. An overhaul of the state’s energy policy will allow California to implement strategies that will create new sources of green energy, maximize energy efficiency and keep energy costs down for California consumers and businesses.

AB 2561 has won unanimous approval from the Assembly Utilities and Commerce and Assembly Natural Resources committees in recent weeks and awaits action by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Staff Contact: Brenda Coleman