3 Residential Service Extensions - Background

When a new home is constructed, new gas and electrical service needs to be established. This proceeding only concerns a dispute regarding electric service. Where there is no existing service, as in the present case, new service extensions must be constructed to bring electricity from the utility's distribution line into the new residence. An application for service would be submitted to the utility requesting service and providing information about the service needed. The utility provides residential service extensions pursuant to the Rule 16.

Under Electric Rule (Rule) 16 - Service Extensions, PG&E is responsible for planning, designing, and engineering residential service extensions to meet specified service adequacy requirements. A residential allowance is determined by PG&E and is applied to the total service extension cost subject to allowance, reducing the applicant's cost. The applicant is responsible to pay for the cost of the service extension that exceeds the amount of the allowance and for other costs such as inspection fees and taxes.

Under Rule 16, PG&E is only permitted to provide service installations that meet specified service adequacy requirements. Installations that exceed the service adequacy requirements are considered special facilities under Rule 2. An applicant may request a special facilities installation, but the applicant will be required to pay the cost of that installation. PG&E is prohibited from paying for special facilities installations.