A push for greater accountability in California's energy efficiency spending took center stage at the Joint Legislative Audit Committee meeting on June 26, 2023. A request was made for a state audit of the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) oversight of the State energy efficiency program, which collects over a billion dollars annually from ratepayers.

The urgency of the audit stems from concerns that hundreds of millions of dollars remain unspent each year. Advocates argue that this money could be better utilized to enhance energy efficiency technologies, which are crucial for reducing the state's carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. "Money not spent on energy efficiency is money that really is not being used to move us to a cleaner, greener future," emphasized the speaker, highlighting the potential benefits of these funds.

Key questions raised during the meeting included the total amount collected from ratepayers over the past decade, the reasons behind unspent funds, and how the CPUC's management of the energy efficiency program compares to other initiatives. The speaker also referenced the success of AB 841, which redirected some funds to upgrade school HVAC systems in response to COVID-19, suggesting that similar strategies could be explored to ensure effective use of energy efficiency funds.

The committee confirmed a quorum and noted that the audit request would be considered further in future meetings, underscoring the importance of transparency and effective resource allocation in California's energy initiatives.