Energy, environment & water

Chair, Energy Commission

Energy supply planning, efficiency standards, plant licensing. Presides over the five-member commission that plans California's energy supply, sets building and appliance efficiency standards, licenses thermal power plants, and administers clean-energy and transportation-fuel investment programs.

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The appointment

Appointed by: The Governor
Confirmation: Senate, by majority vote
Term: Fixed 5-year term, staggered
Compensation: $181,000/yr
Availability: Chair designation is at the Governor's pleasure, but the chair must hold one of five designated seats with fixed, staggered 5-year terms; one seat expires each January.
Statutory requirements: Designated seats (PRC 25201): (1) engineering or physical science background with knowledge of energy supply/conversion systems; (2) attorney, member of the State Bar of California, with administrative-law experience; (3) background/experience in environmental protection or study of ecosystems; (4) economist with background in natural-resource management; (5) public at large. Members represent the state at large and serve full time (PRC 25203). Negative qualification (PRC 25205(a)): may not have received substantial income from an electric utility (or similar regulated entity) in the two years before appointment.

Statute-verified

Sources

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2019/02/14/appointments-feb-14 (chair designation, then $158,572); https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/01/18/79565/ (reappointment, $181,156, Senate confirmation required); Gov. Code sec. 11553 (chair salary); Pub. Res. Code secs. 25200-25207; Statute research 2026-09-12: Pub. Res. Code secs. 25200, 25201, 25203, 25204, 25205, 25206, 25207; Gov. Code sec. 11553 (chair salary), 11553.5 (member salary); Gov. Code sec. 87200 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/public-resources-code/prc-sect-25200/; https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/public-resources-code/prc-sect-25201/; https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/public-resources-code/prc-sect-25204/

In the catalog

The catalog entry behind this profile. The role explorer lists every California Energy Commission role, including deputies and other seats.

Chair of the California Energy Commission

California Energy Commission

Energy & EnvironmentChair / President$181,000/yrSenate confirmation required

Environment and Natural ResourcesLegal and Regulatory AffairsGovernance and Advisory

Presides over the five-member commission that plans California's energy supply, sets building and appliance efficiency standards, licenses thermal power plants, and administers clean-energy and transportation-fuel investment programs.

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