CPUC rolling out customer energization timelines following state electrification legislation

The latest Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) proceeding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) laid out steps to create energization timelines for investor-owned utility (IOU) customers, to keep it in line with state legislation and electrification goals.

Timely energization and increased transparency were the goals of this new proceeding, and as such, it backed the creation of average and maximum energization timelines, along with the creation of annual energization reporting requirements. The latter should provide insights into completion times and any delays faced along the way, and would be coupled with a new procedure for customers to report any energization delays to CPUC directly. That will also require the agency to implement public reporting requirements.

“Timely energization is critical to achieving California’s climate goals and supporting the state’s economy. This proceeding will establish reasonable timelines that provide customers with predictable and transparent utility services,” CPUC President Alice Reynolds said.

The order was implemented as a result of California Senate Bill 410 and Assembly Bill 50 of 2023. Those bills pushed through additions to the Public Utilities Code. California intends to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, and that will include electrifying the transportation and building sectors. To improve transparency related to this, CPUC will also undertake a public workshop on Feb. 2, 2024, focused on the new energization timing sections of those bills. It will help guide implementation of statutory requirements.