In 1976, the California Energy Commission adopted its first energy efficiency standards for appliances sold in the state. As the sixth largest economy in the world, California is a major consumer market; as a result, its appliance standards influenced the efficiency of products made around the world. Ultimately California's rules led to federal standards for energy use in many appliances.

As a result of appliance standards, many of today's household appliances use much less energy than comparable models did a few years ago. Refrigerators offer the perfect example. Today's modern designs can consume just one-quarter of the electricity that a similar-sized refrigerator would have used 20 years ago.

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission responsibilities include:

• Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data.

• Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger.

• Promoting energy efficiency by setting the state's appliance and building efficiency standards and working with local government to enforce those standards.

• Supporting public interest energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development, and demonstration programs.

• Supporting renewable energy by providing market support to existing, new, and emerging renewable technologies; providing incentives for small wind and fuel cell electricity systems; and providing incentives for solar electricity systems in new home construction.

• Implementing the state's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.

• Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies.