Section 25303 - Electricity and natural gas forecasting and assessment activities(a) As part of the report prepared pursuant to Section 25302, the commission shall conduct electricity and natural gas forecasting and assessment activities, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (1) Assessment of trends in electricity and natural gas supply and demand, and the outlook for wholesale and retail prices for commodity electricity and natural gas under current market structures and expected market conditions.(2) Forecasts of statewide and regional electricity and natural gas demand, including annual, seasonal, and peak demand, and the factors leading to projected demand growth, including, but not limited to, projected population growth, urban development, industrial expansion and energy intensity of industries, energy demand for different building types, energy efficiency, and other factors influencing demand for electricity. With respect to long-range forecasts of the demand for natural gas, the report shall include an evaluation of average conditions, as well as best- and worst-case scenarios, and an evaluation of the impact of the increasing use of renewable resources on natural gas demand.(3) Evaluation of the adequacy of electricity and natural gas supplies to meet forecasted demand growth. Assessment of the availability, reliability, and efficiency of the electricity and natural gas infrastructure and systems, including, but not limited to, natural gas production capability both in and out of state, natural gas interstate and intrastate pipeline capacity, storage and use, and western regional and California electricity and transmission system capacity and use.(4) Evaluation of potential impacts of electricity and natural gas supply, demand, and infrastructure and resource additions on the electricity and natural gas systems, public health and safety, the economy, resources, and the environment.(5) Evaluation of the potential impacts of electricity and natural gas load management efforts, including end-user response to market price signals, as a means to ensure reliable operation of electricity and natural gas systems.(6) Evaluation of whether electricity and natural gas markets are adequately meeting public interest objectives including the provision of all of the following: economic benefits; competitive, low-cost reliable services; customer information and protection; and environmentally sensitive electricity and natural gas supplies. This evaluation may consider the extent to which California is an element within western energy markets, the existence of appropriate incentives for market participants to provide supplies and for consumers to respond to energy prices, appropriate identification of responsibilities of various market participants, and an assessment of long-term versus short-term market performance. To the extent this evaluation identifies market shortcomings, the commission shall propose market structure changes to improve performance.(7) Identification of impending or potential problems or uncertainties in the electricity and natural gas markets, potential options and solutions, and recommendations.(b) Commencing November 1, 2003, and every two years thereafter, to be included in the integrated energy policy report prepared pursuant to Section 25302, the commission shall assess the current status of the following: (1) The environmental performance of the electric generation facilities of the state, to include all of the following: (A) Generation facility efficiency.(B) Air emission pollution control technologies in use in operating plants.(C) The extent to which recent resource additions have, and expected resource additions are likely to, displace or reduce the operation of existing facilities, including the environmental consequences of these changes.(2) The geographic distribution of statewide environmental, efficiency, and socioeconomic benefits and drawbacks of existing generation facilities, including, but not limited to, the impacts on natural resources including wildlife habitat, air quality, and water resources, and the relationship to demographic factors. The assessment shall describe the socioeconomic and demographic factors that existed when the facilities were constructed and the current status of these factors. In addition, the report shall include how expected or recent resource additions could change the assessment through displaced or reduced operation of existing facilities.(c) The commission, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, shall make all reasonable adjustments to its energy demand forecasts conducted pursuant to Sections 25301 and 25302 to account for its findings of market conditions and existing baselines, and, in making those adjustments, may consider the results from subdivisions (b) and (d) of Section 381.2 of the Public Utilities Code.Ca. Pub. Res. Code § 25303
Amended by Stats 2018 ch 611 (SB 1374),s 3, eff. 1/1/2019.Amended by Stats 2015 ch 590 (AB 802),s 3, eff. 1/1/2016.Amended by Stats 2007 ch 130 (AB 299),s 209, eff. 1/1/2008.Amended by Stats 2006 ch 722 (AB 1632),s 1, eff. 1/1/2007.Added by Stats 2002 ch 568 (SB 1389), s 2, eff. 1/1/2003.