CA Pub Res Code Section 25301

(a)

At least every two years, the commission shall conduct assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. The commission shall use these assessments and forecasts to develop and evaluate energy policies and programs that conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the state’s economy, and protect public health and safety. To perform these assessments and forecasts, the commission may require submission of demand forecasts, resource plans, market assessments, related outlooks, individual customer historic electric or gas service usage, or both, and individual customer historic billing data, in a format and level of granularity specified by the commission from electric and natural gas utilities, transportation fuel and technology suppliers, and other market participants. These assessments and forecasts shall be done in consultation with the appropriate state and federal agencies including, but not limited to, the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of Ratepayer Advocates, the Air Resources Board, the Electricity Oversight Board, the Independent System Operator, the Department of Water Resources, the California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The commission shall maintain reasonable policies and procedures to protect customer information from unauthorized disclosure.

(b)

In developing the assessments and forecasts prepared pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission shall do all of the following:

(1)

Provide information about the performance of energy industries.

(2)

Develop and maintain the analytical capability sufficient to answer inquiries about energy issues from government, market participants, and the public.

(3)

Analyze, develop, and evaluate energy policies and programs.

(4)

Provide an analytical foundation for regulatory and policy decisionmaking.

(5)

Facilitate efficient and reliable energy markets.