California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild Confirmed for Third Term

For Immediate Release: Aug 13, 2024

SACRAMENTO -- The California State Senate last Thursday unanimously confirmed David Hochschild for histhird term with the California Energy Commission (CEC) where he has served as chair since 2019.

Over his past five years as chair, the state has experienced robust growth in clean energy sources and undertaken significant efforts to ensure energy reliability in the face of a rapidly changing climate. As the CEC celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, he is excited to invest in policies and programs that continue California's innovation and leadership in energy.

"The energy transition is well under way," Hochschild said at his swearing-in ceremony earlier this year. "Our job now is to finish the job. Let's build a sustainable future, an equitable future for all."

The Governor appoints, with Senate confirmation, five commissioners to staggered five-year terms. The commissioners must come from and represent specific areas of expertise: law, environment, economics, science and engineering, and the public at large. The Governor additionally selects one commissioner to chair the commission.

Hochschild was first appointed to the CEC as the commissioner with environmental expertise by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2013. He was appointed chair of the CEC in 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom, who reappointed him in January 2024 to asecond term as chair and a third term as commissioner. He serves as the lead commissioner for international energy subjects, nuclear energy, and legislative affairs.

In recent years, California faced increased challenges spurred by rising temperatures, natural disasters like wildfires, and volatile energy and gas prices amidst a global pandemic, Hochschild said during his June 26 confirmation hearing before the California State Senate Rules Committee.

"I don't want to sugarcoat in any way the seriousness of the energy challenges that we face, because the hill ahead is very steep," he said.

Despite these challenges, the CEC has seen marked progress toward its ambitious energy goals. Hochschild said he is proud that California is the most energy-efficient state in the country and generates more than 60 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources. Looking ahead, he wants to continue that path of innovation and growth with plans to expand efforts in electric vehicle infrastructure, lithium development, and energy storage.

Hochschild's career has spanned public service, environmental advocacy, and the private sector. He workedat the solar company Solaria and cofounded the Vote Solar initiative, which promoted solar policies across the United States. His public service work included serving as special assistant to San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, where he oversaw a $100 million bond to install solar panels throughout the city.

During his confirmation hearing, Hochschild highlighted how California's relationship with solar power is emblematic of the CEC's energy leadership.

"Solar power is probably the single biggest energy legacy of the state of California," he said. "The price of solar has come down 98 percent since 2000, and that's the kind of market transformation that we're able to support. It's happening with wind, it's happening with energy storage, it's happening with electric vehicles."

Part of that market transformation comes from the CEC's investment in clean energy research and development, spurring the technological advancements that will help California's transition to a 100 percent clean energy future. The CEC is supporting more than 300 companies and innovators to introduce new technologies to the state, Hochschild said.

His June 26 confirmation hearing with the California Senate Rules Committee can be found on the Senate Rules Committee home page.

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