California Public Utilities Commission Orders Utilities to Develop Standard Microgrid Multi-Property Tariff

Strategic Insights -

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued an order requiring Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), and Southern California Edison Company (SCE) to develop and submit a draft pro-forma standard microgrid multi-property tariff. This ruling is part of the Commission's efforts to commercialize microgrids, as mandated by Senate Bill 1339, and to promote resiliency through the use of additional technologies and activities. The utilities have been directed to base this draft tariff on PG&E's Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff and to submit it by October 9, 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CPUC has ordered PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE to develop a standard microgrid multi-property tariff, which will be based on PG&E's Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff.
  • The utilities have been directed to submit the draft tariff by October 9, 2023.
  • This ruling is part of the Commission's efforts to commercialize microgrids and promote resiliency through the use of additional technologies and activities.
  • Senate Bill 1339 is the legislative mandate requiring the development of a framework for the commercialization of microgrids.
  • The CPUC has identified the need for a standard microgrid multi-property tariff to facilitate the widespread adoption of microgrids in California.

Statistics:

  • The deadline for submitting the draft microgrid multi-property tariff is October 9, 2023.
  • The number of utilities required to develop the standard microgrid multi-property tariff is 3: PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE.
  • The specific tariff being used as a basis for the new microgrid multi-property tariff is PG&E's Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff.

Sources:

  • R22-04-015 Scoping Memo and Ruling, issued by Administrative Law Judge on September 12, 2019
  • Senate Bill 1339 (Stern, 2018)