Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Existing law requires the commission to require electrical corporations to implement various programs, such as energy efficiency programs, that are funded by electrical ratepayers.

This bill would require, on or before August 1, 2027, each large electrical corporation, as defined, to file a Tier 2 advice letter with the commission establishing an Industrial Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency Program with funding allocated from energy efficiency charges collected from eligible facilities, defined as industrial or manufacturing facilities that meet specified requirements, as specified. The bill would require the program to award grants to eligible facilities for eligible projects, including, among others, energy efficiency projects that meet certain requirements. The bill would require each large electrical corporation to administer the program, as provided, and require the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to provide independent review and approval of grants awarded pursuant these provisions.

Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.