California Public Utilities Commission

Southern California Edison Customers Participate in Demand Response Program

Southern California Edison (SCE) integrated an estimated 1,118 MW of demand response resources into California's wholesale energy markets. These programs serve SCE's residential, commercial and industrial customers who, in exchange for bill reductions, have agreed to reduce their energy consumption when called upon to do so.

PG&E Wins Right to Develop Two New Transmission Substations

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was selected by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to build, own and operate two new electric substations in California's Central Valley and South Bay. The new high voltage substation at Wheeler Ridge Junction will help improve electric service reliability in Bakersfield, especially in the hot summer months when demand for power is higher. The substation projects will need to undergo an approval process through the California Public Utilities Commission.

PG&E Proposes Major Build-Out of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) asked state regulators for permission to build an estimated 25,000 EV chargers at sites across its service area in Northern and Central California. If approved, this program would be the largest deployment of EV charging stations in the country. The chargers would be located at commercial and public locations, including multi-family dwellings, retail centers, and workplaces. PG&E proposes to own all of the infrastructure, but contract with third parties to build, install and maintain the chargers and manage customer billing.

California Roadmap Paves the Way for Energy Storage Technology

The California Independent System Operator (ISO), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to assess the current market environment and regulatory policies for connecting new energy storage technology to the state's power grid. Technology to store energy is vital to optimizing the grid, increasing renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

People (December 2014)

ITC Holdings named Krista Tanner as v.p. of ITC Holdings Corp. and president of ITC Midwest; Dean Seavers will be U.S. president and executive director at National Grid; CenterPoint Energy promoted three company executives; Darren Olagues, is expected to become president and CEO of Cleco; American DG Energy appointed Benjamin M. Locke as co-CEO; Ronald J. Tanski, president and CEO of National Fuel Gas Company, was elected chairman of the board of directors at Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Appointment changes at several associations, and others...

People (March 2014)

Dominion promotes seven to v.p.; DTE Energy Foundation names Faye Alexander Nelson president; Michael Picker becomes CPUC commissioner; plus executive appointments and announcements from PPL, Ameren, Duke, GridWise Alliance, and others.

PG&E, MidAmerican Transmission, Citizens Energy to Develop 70-mile Electric Transmission Line

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), MidAmerican Transmission and Citizens Energy were chosen by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) to develop, own and operate a new transmission line in the Central Valley region of California. The 230- kV line will span about 70 miles across Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, running from the Gates to Gregg substations, which are owned and operated by PG&E.

Digest

Duke Energy Renewables begins construction on 5-MW solar project in North Carolina; Duke and Integrys partner with Canadian Solar and Community Energy Solar on 3-MW PV project; First Wind contracts for 333 MW in Massachusetts; EDF Renewable Energy buys into 20-MW anaerobic digester plant; AEP to retire Tanners Creek 4 coal plant; Opelika Power Services selects Tantalus for fiber-based triple-play system; ABB wins substation contract in Brazil and commissions offshore wind transmission link in Europe; Arista Power to develop microgrid system for U.S. Army facility; plus announcements and contracts from Standard Solar, ComEd, British Gas, Tenaska, and others.

CPUC Orders PG&E Pipeline Out of Service Until Investigation is Complete

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) directed Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to keep its natural gas pipeline number 147, which runs through the City of San Carlos, out of service until CPUC staff verifies the safety of the pipeline. The CPUC’s safety and enforcement division has initiated a staff investigation to determine whether any immediate safety concerns are posed by the pipeline. This investigation will result in public findings, required corrective action if necessary, and citations for any violation of law or regulation.