Small energization projects: electrical service connections

The law aims to reduce delays and uncertainty for customers seeking relatively simple new or upgraded electrical service. It requires the California Public Utilities Commission to create enforceable processing timelines, including penalties for utilities that miss them.

What the law does ​

• Requires the California Public Utilities Commission, by September 30, 2027, to set timelines for electrical corporations to respond to and process small-project energization requests.
• Requires timelines for determining whether applications are complete, telling applicants about completeness, and explaining deficiencies and how to fix them.
• Requires the commission to set penalties for electrical corporations that do not meet the timelines.
• Requires utilities to accept an energization application when an applicant applies for a local building permit, allow preapplication staff review, and provide full cost estimates for a completed application.
• Bars utilities from canceling an application without the applicant’s consent, unless the applicant misses a commission-set response deadline.
• Allows mutually agreed extensions when either the applicant or utility seeks more time to complete the connection.

Who it affects ​

• Customers seeking new or upgraded electrical service for small projects that generally do not need distribution or service-line extensions or upgrades.
• Electrical corporations that provide distribution-grid connections.
• Applicants undertaking electrification projects in industrial, commercial, agricultural, housing, or transportation settings.

Context ​

A small project also includes one needing only a new electric meter required by the utility or local jurisdiction.