• Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data
• Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger 
• Promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building standards 
• Developing energy technologies and supporting renewable energy 
• Planning for and directing state response to energy emergency

The agency staff generally hold a workshop to receive public input on changes in programs, then draft a proposal, and then receive more public feedback before the final Commission decision on the program. Look for the lastest public workshops and issues here: http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/02-REN-1038/notices/

Overview of the CEC itself: http://www.energy.ca.gov/commission/overview.html

Overview of the distributed generation policy process, including the roles of the CEC, CPUC, and California Air Resources board http://www.energy.ca.gov/distgen/policy/regulatory_activity.html

Links to Renewable Energy Program guidebooks and reports: http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/documents/index.html#existing