Market Assessment & Evaluation Studies
The utilities propose to fund and conduct various market assessment and evaluation (MA&E) studies during PY 2001. The proposed MA&E studies include both statewide studies, which are managed by individual utilities or the CEC, other studies conducted by the CEC, and utility-specific studies. Some statewide MA&E studies seek information about markets, including developing baseline and other market data, for program planning purposes, while others evaluate current programs. The CEC also manages studies for forecasting energy demand and to monitor the functioning of energy markets. Utility-specific studies generally are undertaken to provide information needed to demonstrate the achievement of milestones for shareholder incentive awards.
We approve the proposed statewide MA&E studies and budgets managed by the utilities. The statewide studies managed by the utilities have been reviewed in a public process conducted by the California Measurement Advisory Council (CALMAC)8 and, for the most part, consist of continuing studies to support continuing programs. It is important that these studies get under way expeditiously so that we have the appropriate data to evaluate on-going programs and plan future programs. We are, however, concerned that the MA&E studies relate to approved programs for PY 2001. Thus, while we approve the budgets and studies, we expect the utilities to revise the study plans to account for new programs, as well as changing program priorities and changing market conditions throughout the year. In this regard, we note that the statewide portfolio of studies does not appear to include any studies related to our renewed emphasis on peak demand reduction.
The statewide utility-managed MA&E budgets are approved as follows:
8 In Phase 1 of the 1999 AEAP the utilities, the CEC, and ORA submitted a joint recommendation for MA&E activities to govern post-1998 activities. The Joint Recommendation provided for the establishment of a new body, the CALMAC, to provide a forum for presentations, discussion, and review of MA&E studies for energy efficiency and low-income programs and to coordinate the development of these studies. In D.00-05-019 we concluded that the parties' recommendation was reasonable, with the understanding that the CALMAC would not be an officially recognized advisory body to the Commission. ORA once again asks us to recognize the CALMAC. We declined to do so in D.00-05-019 and D.00-07-017. ORA gives no reasons why we should reconsider this decision and we decline to do so.
