Regulatory Update for October 15, 2020

The CPUC is holding its meetings remotely. See the COVID19 information page on the CPUC’s website for more COVID19-related info. Remote meeting notice from CPUC: Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, Commissioners may participate in CPUC meetings remotely. The public may observe, provide public comments during the public comment period, and otherwise participate remotely pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. To listen or make comments not to exceed three minutes by phone, dial 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 9899501. Alternatively, you mail email brief written comments (which do not exceed three minutes when read aloud) to 10222020VotingMeetingComments@cpuc.ca.gov and the Public Advisor may read your comments out loud to the meeting if time permits. 

Brief Notes:

• We are no longer providing updates on proceedings to which The Climate Center is not a Party. Links to proceedings that are important to advancing local clean energy are included. To find updates, click on the proceeding number which will bring you to that proceeding docket.
• Starting on December 17, regulatory updates will be issued in The Climate Center e-news.
• The next CPUC voting meeting takes place on October 22 @ 10am. See AGENDA. For the livestream, click HERE.
• For details on other proceedings click the links in the Important Proceedings list below or visit CPUC’s Documents Page. Please contact us at info[at]cleanpowerexhange.org to report any errors or broken links.

Proceedings to which The Climate Center is a Party:

1. Rulemaking 19-09-009 pursuant to SB 1339 (Stern, 2018) Microgrid Commercialization
2. Investigation 15-08-019 PG&E Safety Culture

Important Proceedings (not updated here):

1. Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) 12-11-005
2. Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA)  17-06-026
3. Resource Adequacy (RA) 17-09-020
4. Integrated Resource Plans (IRP) 16-02-007
5. Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) 18-07-003
6. Integrated Distributed Energy Resources 4-10-003
7. NEM Successor Tariff 14-07-002

Summaries:

1. Microgrid Rulemaking 19-09-009 pursuant to SB 1339 (Stern, 2018)

The Climate Center is a Party to this proceeding.

Recent Developments:

• October 2, 2020 – The Climate Center and Vote Solar Joint Reply Comments on alternatives to diesel back-up generators (BUGs)
• Sept 25 – The Climate Center and Vote Solar Joint Filing on alternatives to diesel back-up generators (BUGs)
• Sept. 4 – Assigned Commissioner and ALJ’s Ruling Seeking Comment on Policy Questions and an Interim Approach for Minimizing Emissions from Generation During Transmission Outages.
• August 28 Climate Center/Vote Solar Joint Reply Comments, Track 2
• August 14 – The Climate Center and Vote Solar Joint Comments on Track 2 Ruling

The Commission did not reject use of diesel fuel as a near-term back up generation choice. However, with this Decision in place it should become easier for local governments to access the data they need to engage in Community Energy Resilience planning, part of The Climate Center’s Climate-Safe California campaign.

Key Documents:

• July 3 Scoping Ruling – Assigned Commissioner’s Amended Scoping Memo and Ruling for Track 2.
• June 11 Decision adopting Short-Term (Track 1) Actions to Accelerate Microgrid Deployment and Related Resiliency Solutions.
• The Climate Center and Vote Solar Opening Comments filed on May 19 and Reply Comments, filed on May 26.
• April 29 – Proposed Decision Adopting Short-Term Actions to Accelerate Microgrid Deployment and Related Resiliency Solutions. A special note here: This Proposed CPUC Decision reflects a formal embrace by the CPUC of several key ACE principles that The Climate Center and partner organizations have been advocating for regarding the pivotal role of local governments.
• March 19 – The Climate Center participated in an Ex Parte communication with CPUC staff
• January 30 – Climate Center Opening Comments in the Track 1 Proceeding
• December 20, 2019: Scoping Ruling.
• October 21, 2019: The Climate Center Opening Comments.
• September 19, 2019: Order Instituting Rulemaking.

Next Steps: ALJ’s Proposed Decision on Track 2

2. PG&E Safety Culture Investigation 15-08-019

The Climate Center is a Party to this proceeding.

Recent Developments:

• October 13, 2020 – The Senate Energy, Utilities Committee held a hearing marking the 10 year anniversary of the San Bruno gas line explosion on gas, electric, and transportation safety. For the recording of the hearing, click HERE. Representatives of PG&E, So Cal Gas and others were in attendance to address safety issues. Though not part of the formal proceeding, relevant nonetheless.

Key Documents:

• January 23, 2020 – Motion of the Ad Hoc Committee of Senior Unsecured Note-holders of PG&E to Withdraw
• December 13, 2019 – Letter from several LSEs, including a CCA, to CPUC Commissioners expressing interest in taking ownership of PG&E grid assets
• July 19, 2019 Climate Center Opening Comments
• June 18, 2019 CPUC Order seeking proposals to improve PG&E safety culture

Next Steps:

• Sept. 4, 2020 – Administrative Law Judge’s Ruling Updating Case Status. Investigation 15-08-019 will remain open. NorthStar Consulting Group, Inc. will continue its work in a monitoring role. Issues to be address in the proceeding may be raised by parties or the Commission. May 8, 2020 was the deadline for the conclusion of this investigation, however, the ALJ has announced that the investigation will remain open.

Closed proceedings that matter:

• CCA Rulemaking 03-10-003– This was the rulemaking that defined all the rules pursuant to AB 117, the original California CCA law
• CCA Bond and Re-Entry Fees 18-05-022– This is the proceeding that re-set the bond required to be posted by CCAs in the event that the CCA fails and customers are returned to the incumbent utility