The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) It is in the best interests of the people of this state that the quality of life of its citizens be improved by providing environmentally sound, safe, reliable, and affordable energy services and products.

(b) To improve the quality of life of this state’s citizens, it is proper and appropriate for the state to undertake public interest energy research, development, and demonstration projects that are not adequately provided for by competitive and regulated energy markets.

(c) Public interest energy research, demonstration, and development projects should advance energy science or technologies of value to California citizens and should be consistent with the policies of this chapter.

(d) It is in the best interest of the people of California for the commission to positively contribute to the overall economic climate of the state within the roles and responsibilities of the commission as defined by statute, regulation, and other official government authority, including, but not limited to, providing economic benefits to California-based entities.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 537, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2009.)