Tracking Progress
Sector-specific summaries of California's progress toward a cleaner energy future, with links to additional resources.
Information and metrics are updated regularly.
Energy Efficiency
Advancing energy efficiency is a key part of the state's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Total energy savings from efficiency programs, codes and standards, and price and market effects have increased over time relative to conditions in 1975, before California implemented the first efficiency standards..
More about Energy Efficiency.
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Statewide Energy Demand
After the mid-1970s, per capita consumption remains relatively constant in California but continues to grow in the U.S. overall. Californians consume 40 percent less electricity per person because of factors ranging from climate and household size to fuel and industry mixes and the state's aggressive energy policies.
More about Statewide Energy Demand
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Renewable Energy
California recently set a new goal to increase the renewable content of its electricity from one third to 50 percent by 2030. The state also has a goal to install 12,000 MW of renewable distributed generation. The Energy Commission is tracking progress toward achieving its renewable goals and the status of permitting and constructing new renewable energy facilities in California.
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Zero-Emission Vehicles and Infrastructure
On September 8, 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 32 (Pavley, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2016) (SB 32), putting into law a statewide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Previously, he established the foundation to support 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2025 and published a ZEV Action Plan. As part of its work on zero-emission vehicles, the Energy Commission provides funding for plug-in electric vehicle charging, hydrogen refueling stations, and guidance on plug-in electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure deployment. More about Zero-Emission Vehicles
More about Zero-Emission Vehicles and Infrastructure
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Installed Electric Capacity and Generation
Natural gas provides the largest portion of the total in-state capacity and electricity generation in California. The installed (nameplate) capacity and generation amounts do not reflect contracted capacity and generational requirements as measured under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Installed capacity is the maximum possible output from a generation facility.
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Reliance on Coal
In 2015, electricity supplies from existing coal-fired plants provided less than 6 percent of California's electrical energy. About 97 percent came from out-of-state power plants while in-state coal plants supplied about 0.5 percent. Imports of coal-fired generation are expected to become zero by the end of 2025.
More about Current and Expected Energy from Coal for California
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Transmission Expansion
Transmission expansion plays a vital role in enabling the interconnection and deliverability of renewable energy to meet the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). The Energy Commission conducts strategic transmission planning and corridor designation in coordination with the California ISO, the CPUC, and federal agencies.
More about Transmission Expansion Projects for Renewable
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Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, also referred to as cogeneration, generate on-site electricity and useful thermal energy in a single integrated system. As a result, well-designed CHP systems consume less fuel than would be required to obtain electricity and thermal energy separately
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Resource Flexibility
The growth of intermittent renewable generation to meet California's 33 percent Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2020 has spurred several studies to determine the extent to which the system operator needs additional flexible capabilities to accommodate late afternoon upward ramps.
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Once-Through Cooling (OTC)
The goal of the once-through cooling (OTC) policy is to reduce the inflow of ocean and estuarine water for power plant cooling. Generators must eliminate or reduce use of coastal or estuarine waters for OTC on a schedule established by the State Water Control Resources Board that considers both environmental goals and the need to maintain electrical reliability. Some generators have proposed alternative dates for specific units, groups of units, or whole facilities.
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The Energy Commission received and administered $314.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds supporting energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, consumer rebates, and energy assurance planning through a portfolio of programs. These investments created jobs while emphasizing both immediate upgrade projects and sustained market transformation.
More about ARRA
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The California Clean Energy Jobs Act: Proposition 39
The Energy Commission is the lead agency for the implementation of the Proposition 39 K-12 Local Educational Agency (LEA) Program that provides funding for eligible energy measures such as energy efficiency upgrades and clean energy generation at schools. LEAs include county offices of education, public school districts, charter schools, and state special schools.
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Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
Governor Brown is an international leader in efforts to reduce the emissions that cause climate change. Within the state, California has demonstrated that it can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy. In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 32 (Pavley, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2016), putting into law a statewide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
More about Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
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