Two Groups Want To Reduce Regulatory Agencies

Two statewide business groups say California should create a new Department of Energy to replace a hodgepodge of regulatory agencies. The California Chamber of Commerce and California Business Roundtable say the state currently has six boards, commissions and departments with sometimes overlapping and potentially conflicting jurisdictions.

They say the state should consolidate the Public Utilities Commission, Energy Commission, Department of Conservation and the energy division of the California Department of Water Resources into one Energy Department.