CPUC To Hold Workshop on Reliability Concerns

March 08, 2023 - 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a virtual workshop to discuss newly emergent concerns with electrical system reliability, focusing on utility fast trip programs, as follows:

WHEN: March 17, 2023, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: This is a virtual only event. Access the workshop virtually via WebEx or phone, as follows:

  • WebEx link: cpuc.webex.com/cpuc/j.php?MTID=m5c57fb33abd614ea17430c1cc8addd73
    • WebEx meeting number (access code): 2482 859 2623
    • WebEx password: 2023
    • The workshop will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
  • Phone toll-free: 800-857-1917, passcode: 1673482#
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WHAT: The CPUC will hold a workshop to hear from local governments, community choice aggregators, the Public Advocates’ Office, and California’s three large investor-owned utilities - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) - regarding reliability concerns associated with extreme climate-driven events. The workshop will focus on the utilities’ fast trip programs, which are designed to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by automatically de-energizing power lines struck by foreign objects. The workshop will also include discussion of other types of outages (both planned and unplanned, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs), as well as distribution system reliability issues, and associated impacts on customers.

The most updated information related to the workshop, including an agenda, will be posted to www.cpuc.ca.gov/events-and-meetings/r1812005-workshop-2023-03-17.

This workshop will be virtual only. If there is a technical difficulty in joining, please call the Help Line at 415-703-2043 or 415-703-5263.

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the workshop. Members of the public can also make their voice heard on this issue by submitting a comment on the Docket Card of the CPUC’s proceeding that is examining electric utility de-energization of power lines in dangerous conditions at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/R1812005.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the workshop, no official action will be taken.

If special accommodations are needed to attend remotely, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least three days in advance of the workshop.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release