Article Source:  PG&E
 
Notice of Public Participation Hearings

 
Dear PG&E Customer:

Southern California Gas Company (SCG), San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southwest Gas Corporation (SWG) (collectively, the Gas Utilities) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would like to hear from you. You are invited to participate in Public Participation Hearings about the Order Instituting Rulemaking to Establish Policies, Processes, and Rules to Ensure Safe and Reliable Gas Systems in California and Perform Long-Term Gas System Planning (R.24-09-012) proceeding.

These public forums are part of the formal rulemaking proceeding cited above. Customer comments will be transcribed and placed into the formal record so the CPUC can make an informed and robust decision about the Gas Utilities’ recommended priority neighborhood decarbonization zones as part of implementing California Senate Bill (SB) 1221. At these public forums you can make comments and raise concerns to the CPUC representatives overseeing this proceeding.

Where and when will these Public Participation Hearings be held?

As part of the CPUC’s ongoing efforts to provide the greatest access, the public forums will be held remotely. A quorum of CPUC Commissioners may attend, but no decisions will be made or voted on at these public forums.

August 7 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (virtual only)

Webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/
Phone number: 1-800-857-1917
Passcode: 6032788#

Please note: If you wish to make a public comment, you must participate by phone using the information above. Once you’ve entered the passcode, press *1, and record your name when prompted. You will be placed in a queue in the order you dialed in. If you need a language interpreter, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office using the contact information below at least five business days before the public forum.

Why am I receiving this notice?

On September 10, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 100, which established a policy for California to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

On September 25, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1221, in which the California Legislature recognized that natural gas use in residential buildings contributes to California’s greenhouse gas emissions,¹ and that cost-effective, zero-emission alternatives to pipeline replacement projects can reduce gas system costs.² As such, SB 1221 authorizes the CPUC to approve up to 30 pilot projects that facilitate cost-effective decarbonization in priority neighborhood decarbonization zones. The pilot projects are intended to provide state decision makers with a greater understanding of the challenges that arise when decommissioning parts of the natural gas system.

The Gas Utilities were directed to submit maps of their respective gas distribution systems that include information such as foreseeable gas distribution pipeline replacement projects, disadvantaged communities, and tribal boundaries overlaid on a street map. The maps must be updated with their recommended priority neighborhood decarbonization zones by July 21, 2025. The CPUC will post links to the utility maps at a site dedicated to the implementation of SB 1221: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/natural-gas/SB-1221-implementation

How does the rest of this process work?

This proceeding has been assigned to a CPUC Commissioner and two Administrative Law Judges who will consider proposals, evidence, and input throughout the regulatory process.

The Administrative Law Judges will issue a proposed decision that may adopt, modify or deny parties’ proposals. Any CPUC Commissioner may sponsor an alternate decision with a different outcome. The proposed decision, and any alternate decisions, will be discussed and voted upon by the CPUC Commissioners at a public CPUC Voting Meeting.

Parties to the proceeding will review the proposals and comments throughout the rulemaking process, including the Public Advocates Office. The Public Advocates Office is an independent consumer advocate within the CPUC that represents customers to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels.

For more information, please call 1-415-703-1584, email PublicAdvocatesOffice@cpuc.ca.gov, or visit PublicAdvocates.cpuc.ca.gov

Written public comments may be provided at any time during the proceeding in the “Public Comments” tab of the Docket Card for R.24-09-012, available at: apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/R2409012. For additional information, any updates on the hearings, and an information sheet about the rulemaking and projects, please visit cpuc.ca.gov/pph.

(1) Senate Rules Committee, Senate Floor Analysis of Senate Bill (SB) 1221 (Aug. 31, 2024) at 4, 6, available at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB1221#f.

(2) Senate Bill 1221, Section 1(a)(6)

Where can I get more information?

Contact PG&E
If you have questions about this Order Instituting Rulemaking proceeding, please contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

For TTY, call 711.

If you would like an electronic copy of the proceeding documents, please write to the address below:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Long-Term Gas System Planning OIR (R.24-09-012) P.O. Box 1018 Oakland, CA 94604-1018

 
Contact CPUC
If you have questions about CPUC processes, you may contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at:

Phone:
1-866-849-8390 (toll-free) or
1-415-703-2074

Mail:
CPUC Public Advisor's Office
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Email:
Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

Please reference the Long-Term Gas System Planning OIR (R.24-09-012) in any communications you have with the CPUC regarding this matter.