(a) The commission shall manage a data collection system for obtaining information necessary to develop the policy reports and analyses required by Sections 25301 to 25307, inclusive, the energy shortage contingency planning efforts in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 25700), and to support other duties of the commission.

1. (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that information needed to support the energy policy analysis developed by the commission is obtained from stakeholders in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.

2. (2) The commission is encouraged to do all of the following with respect to its data collection:

   1. (A) Align the collection of data to be consistent with the schedule of the integrated energy policy report, to the extent practical.
   2. (B) Eliminate unneeded and duplicative data submittals from stakeholders.
   3. (C) Give full consideration to the potential burdens these data requests impose on the resources of the stakeholders whose information is being requested.

(b) The data collection system, adopted by regulation under Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and managed by the commission shall:

1. (1) Include a timetable for the submission of this information, so that the integrated energy policy report required by Section 25302 can be completed in an accurate and timely manner. The commission is encouraged to align its timetable with the schedule of the integrated energy policy report, to the extent practical.
2. (2) Require a person to submit only information that is necessary to the development of the integrated energy policy report and analyses, and that the person can either be expected to acquire through their market activities, or possesses or controls. Information collected pursuant to this section shall relate to the functional role of each category of market participant in that industry and the consumers within that industry.
3. (3) To the extent it satisfies the information needs of the commission, rely on the use of estimates and proxies, to the maximum extent practicable, for some data elements using survey and research techniques, while for other information it shall obtain data from market participants using submissions consistent with their accounting records. In determining whether to rely on estimates or participant-provided data, the commission shall weigh the burden of compliance on industry participants and energy consumers against the benefit of participant-provided data for the public interest.
4. (4) To the extent it satisfies the information needs of the commission, rely on data, to the maximum extent practicable, that is reported to other government agencies or is otherwise available to the commission.