ABSTRACT
The cornerstone of California's energy policies is energy conservation. Energy conservation measures can increase energy efficiency and slow growth in demand; the aggregate effect is the displacement of limited fuels and improvement of environmental quality. Efforts to promote energy conservation, to advance more efficient and decentralized sources of electric generation, and to accelerate the utilization of renewable energy sources have been the primary thrust of Governor Brown's energy policies for California. Through the efforts of the California Energy Commission, California became the first state in the union to adopt energy conservation standards for residential and nonresidential buildings as well as appliance efficiency standards. The Department of Food and Agriculture is developing markets for agricultural biomass. The state's commitment to biomass utilization can be seen in the expedited permit process granted to biomass projects. The use of small hydroelectric plants at existing sites promises a significant contribution to the state's energy future.
