SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today established energization timelines for California’s three large investor-owned utilities to expedite the process for new and upgraded electrical services, enhance utility accountability, offer greater transparency for consumers, and support California’s climate goals and economic development.
If targets are met by investor-owned utilities, maximum timelines for grid connections could be reduced up to 49 percent compared to current operations. This will increase the speed of energization for new residential buildings, commercial businesses, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and other customer projects. Streamlined energization targets also expedite electrical service upgrades that do not require upgrades to the electrical grid, including those needed for residential EV chargers.
Utility accountability
To ensure adherence to these new timelines, the CPUC will require biannual reports from utilities detailing completion times, analysis of any factors affecting energization, and reasons for any delays. Utilities will also implement Customer Engagement Plans to increase outreach with customers as well as provide real-time updates to those in the energization process.
Today’s decision implements the Powering Up Californians Act, Senate Bill 410 (Becker, Chapter 394, Statues of 2023) and Assembly Bill 50 (Wood, Chapter 317, Statutes of 2023), which direct the CPUC to define reasonable energization times for new or upgraded electrical loads and establish a process for reporting delays.
“Electricity is the fuel of our future, and the utility grid must be ready to meet customer needs for energization without delay,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds. “This decision moves us forward by improving oversight, transparency, and accountability to serve the needs of EV charging stations, new housing developments, building electrification, and other customer requests for service.”
“As we move further along in the energy transition, we must ensure that all customers have timely access to electric service,” said CPUC Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “This decision is a positive step forward in helping to meet California’s ambitious clean energy goals while appropriately balancing customer need and affordability with utility capabilities.”
More information
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.
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