SB 765: Energy: California Market Transformation Administrator.

The Reliable Electric Service Investments Act requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), in evaluating energy efficiency investments, to ensure that local and regional interests, multifamily dwellings, and energy service industry capabilities are incorporated into program portfolio design and that local governments, community-based organizations, and energy efficiency service providers are encouraged to participate in program implementation where appropriate.

This bill would require the PUC, in ensuring that prudent investments in energy efficiency are made and produce cost-effective energy savings, reduce customer demand, and support the states greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, to contract with an independent entity to serve as the California Market Transformation Administrator (CalMTA). The bill would require the PUC to require the CalMTA to take certain actions, including, among other actions, working work in concert with other energy efficiency administrators that are carrying out energy efficiency activities under the PUCs oversight to incorporate long-term market transformation strategies into the states energy efficiency portfolio and to encourage portfolio. The bill would require the PUC to modify the energy efficiency programs that it adopts to incorporate a portfolio of long-term market transformation initiatives on a statewide basis. The bill would require the PUC, as part of the portfolio, to take certain actions, including, among other actions, encouraging local publicly owned electric utilities to voluntarily participate in the CalMTAs planning efforts and support the market transformation initiatives administered by the CalMTA adopted by the PUC to ensure statewide consistency and full market deployment. Because a violation of these requirements would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the PUC to consult with the CalMTA regarding demand-side energy management programs.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.