Public Utilities Commission: customer renewable energy subscription programs.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify any additional details about how the evaluation and establishment processes will be carried out, nor does it provide information on consequences for non-participation by community choice aggregators and electric service providers.

Renewable Energy Subscription Programs

AB-1813 modifies deadlines for evaluating and establishing customer renewable energy subscription programs, extends the notification period for participation by community choice aggregators and electric service providers, and updates reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the deadline for evaluating customer renewable energy subscription programs from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2027.
• Sets a new deadline of July 1, 2027 for establishing community renewable energy programs if they are found beneficial.
• Extends the time given to community choice aggregators and electric service providers to decide whether to participate in the program from 180 days to 190 days.
• Requires the Public Utilities Commission to report its actions on these programs by March 31, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Public Utilities Commission
• Electrical corporations
• Community choice aggregators and electric service providers

Terms To Know

community renewable energy program

A program that allows customers to subscribe to renewable energy sources.

tariff

The rates or charges for services provided by a utility company.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify the exact details of how the evaluation and establishment processes will be carried out.
• Does not provide information on what happens if community choice aggregators and electric service providers do not participate in the program within the given time frame.

Official Summary Text

AB 1813, as amended, Ward.
Public Utilities
Commission.
Commission: customer renewable energy subscription programs.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Existing law requires the commission, on or before March 31, 2024, to evaluate each customer renewable energy subscription program to determine if the program meets specified goals and to determine whether it would be beneficial to ratepayers to establish a new tariff or program for an electrical corporation, or modify an existing tariff or program administered by an electrical corporation, to establish a community renewable energy program, as provided. If the commission determines that it would be beneficial to ratepayers to establish the community renewable energy program, existing law requires the commission, on or before July 1, 2024, to establish the program and
require each electrical corporation to participate in the program. Existing law requires each community choice aggregator and electric service provider, if the commission establishes the program, to notify the commission whether it will participate in the program within 180 days of the establishment of the program. Existing law requires the commission, on or before March 31, 2024, to report to the Legislature on its actions taken pursuant to these requirements and its justification for terminating, modifying, or retaining each customer renewable energy subscription program.
This bill would instead require the commission to evaluate those programs on or before March 31, 2027, and to establish the community renewable energy program, if applicable, on or before July 1, 2027. The bill would require each community choice aggregator and electric service provider to
notify the commission whether it will participate in the program within 190 days, rather than 180 days, of the establishment of the program. The bill would instead require the commission to report that information to the Legislature on or before March 31, 2027.
Under existing law, a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because a violation of a commission action implementing this bill’s requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities and authorizes the commission to establish its own procedures, subject to statutory limitations or directions and constitutional requirements of due process. Existing law authorizes the commission to, among other things, require every public utility to construct, maintain, and operate utility facilities in a manner so as to promote and safeguard the health and safety of its employees, customers, and the public, as specified.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF