Small business customers: demand-side energy management programs.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency and other demand-side energy management programs administered by electrical corporations, gas corporations, and 3rd party administrators, the expenses for which are collected by electrical corporations and gas corporations from their ratepayers. Existing law requires the commission to ensure that the Internet Web site for the Energy Upgrade California program be revised to include information related to demand-side management programs for small business customers. This bill would require that the Internet Web site for the Energy Upgrade California program be revised and maintained to include information related to demand-side management programs for small business customers. Existing law creates the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. Existing law establishes the duties and functions of the advocate, which include advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation and administrative regulations that affect small businesses. Existing law requires the office to include a link to the Energy Upgrade California Internet Web site on the homepage of its Internet Web site. Existing decisions of the commission approve of steps to be undertaken with respect to statewide marketing, education, and outreach with respect to energy efficiency and other demand-side energy management programs supervised by the commission. This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the office, to ensure that adequate marketing, education, and outreach are undertaken that is directed at small business customers to enable small business customers to fully participate in ratepayer-funded demand-side energy management programs, including specified programs that provide financial incentives, rebates, technical assistance, and support.