Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has filed Application 24-11-007 at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking approval of a new electric tariff rule setting standard terms and conditions for interconnection of transmission-level customers. Proposed PG&E Electric Rule 30 would govern the interconnection of retail customers requesting electric service at transmission level voltages between 50 and 230 kilovolts (kV).
According to the Application, PG&E is currently negotiating individual transmission-level customer agreements, which are submitted for CPUC review and approval through the “exceptional case” process. However, the number of requests for transmission-voltage service has increased significantly in recent years - primarily from data centers, but also from universities, manufacturing, industrial and electric vehicle charging customers. The Application states that a standardized tariff rule will create a “streamlined, transparent, and equitable approach” for interconnecting these customers to PG&E’s existing transmission system, saving time and resources for both customers, PG&E and the CPUC. It is PG&E’s intent that Electric Rule 30 will complement PG&E’s pilot cluster study process for new transmission-level retail electric customers located in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
The proposed Electric Rule 30 is based in part on existing Electric Rules 15 and 16, which cover procedures and cost allocation for retail distribution-voltage retail interconnections. However, the new rule includes terms specific to transmission-voltage customers, such as cost allocation, reflecting the likelihood that transmission upgrades for Rule 30 customers may also benefit other transmission customers.
In the Application and supporting Testimony, PG&E claims that Rule 30 will benefit applicants, ratepayers, the grid, and the regulatory process. Potential benefits to customers include standardization, clarity regarding advances and cost allocation, opportunities for customers to contribute land, equipment, construction or other in-kind services to reduce costs, refund procedures that account for load growth, and an option to pre-fund upgrades to expedite the interconnection process. Potential benefits to ratepayers include requiring transmission-voltage customers to pay up front for interconnection costs, limits on refunds, cost-saving options, and supporting electric load growth over time. And, according to PG&E, since new high-voltage customer loads will often entail new or expanded substations and switchyards, encouraging these customers to seek interconnection under Rule 30 will facilitate reliability benefits for the grid as a whole.
More detailed information regarding PG&E’s Electric Rule 30 proposal, including a copy of the proposed rule can be found in PG&E’s Testimony. Responses or protests to the Electric Rule 30 Application are due on or before December 23, 2024.
Contact: Lynn Haug or Ron Liebert
