Resiliency and Microgrids

Microgrids Legislation

SB 1339, a bill enacted in 2018, directs the California Public Utilities Commission, in consultation with the California Energy Commission and California Independent System Operator, to undertake a number of activities to further develop policies related to microgrids. The legislation added Chapter 4.5, Sections 8370-8372 to California's Public Utilities Code. Read the full bill and statutory language here.

Microgrids Rulemaking

The California Public Utilities Commission voted to initiate a new rulemaking to consider how to implement the requirements of SB 1339 at its September 12, 2019 public meeting. The "Order Instituting Rulemaking" (OIR) that formally launched the new proceeding was then officially issued on September 19, 2019. Read it here. The OIR includes a preliminary description of the issues the Commission intends to address in the rulemaking.

Organizations or individuals interested in microgrid policy are welcome to comment on what issues the Commission should address in the new rulemaking. Opening comments are due by October 21, 2019. Reply Comments are due November 5, 2019. For more information on how to submit comments and participate in the rulemaking, please see this page. You can also contact the Public Advisor's Office (1-866-849-8390) for assistance.

Preliminary Schedule for CPUC's Microgrids Rulemaking

Below is the preliminary schedule for the Microgrids Rulemaking. This schedule will be refined and adjusted over time.

Proceeding Milestone	Date
Comments on OIR filed and served	October 21, 2019
Reply comments on OIR filed and served	November 5, 2019
Prehearing Conference	Quarter 4 of 2019
Scoping Ruling	Quarter 1 of 2020
Ruling on Proposed Approach to Implementing SB 1339	Quarter 3 of 2020
Comments/Reply and Party Alternative Proposals on Proposed Approach to Implementing SB 1339	Quarter 3 of 2020
Proposed decision addressing SB 1339	Quarter 4 of 2020

Contact Information

Forest Kaser, Supervisor
415-703-1445
forest.kaser@cpuc.ca.gov