CXW/t94/eap Mailed 4/4/2001
Decision 01-04-006 April 3, 2001
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking into the operation of interruptible load programs offered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Edison Company and the effect of these programs on energy prices, other demand responsiveness programs, and the reliability of the electric system. |
Rulemaking 00-10-002 (Filed October 5, 2000) |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTERIM OPINION 2
1. Summary 2
2. Interruptible Tariffs Background 2
2.1 Description of Utility Programs 2
2.1.1 Traditional 3
2.1.2 Air Conditioner Cycling Plus Agricultural Pumping 5
2.1.3 Demand Responsive Programs 5
2.2 Experience 5
2.3 ISO Interruptible Programs 7
3. Curtailment Priorities Background 7
4. Proceeding Background 9
5. Adopted Improvements to Current Interruptible Programs and New Programs 13
5.1 Opt-Out and Realignment of Firm Service Level 13
5.2 Other Modifications to Existing Programs 20
5.3 Insurance 23
5.4 Lift Suspension of Penalty Provisions 27
5.5 New Base Interruptible Program 28
5.6 Voluntary Demand Response Program 30
5.7 Air Conditioner Cycling Programs Plus Agricultural
Pumping Programs 33
5.8 Optional Binding Mandatory Curtailment Program 37
5.9 SDG&E HVAC Program 41
5.10 ISO Programs 41
6. Rotating Outage Programs 43
6.1 Modifications for Equity 43
6.1.1 Study Narrowing Exempted Load by Reconfiguring Circuits 43
6.1.2 Include Most Transmission Level Customers in Rotating Outages 46
6.1.3 Essential Customers 48
6.1.4 Fossil Fuel Producers 50
6.1.5 SCADA and Non-SCADA 52
6.1.6 Notification Regarding Reclassifications 54
6.2 Modifications to Increase Protection 56
6.2.1 Outbound Calling Program 56
6.2.2 Offices of Emergency Services 59
6.2.3 BART and MUNI 60
6.2.4 Other Rail Transit 61
6.2.5 Utility Outage Notification Plans 62
6.2.6 Hospitals 64
6.3 Update Utility Action Plans 66
7. Other Issues 66
7.1 Customer Recognition Program 66
7.2 Exempting Water and Sewer Districts, and Ancillary
Government Services 67
7.3 Continue Networks as Essential Customers 70
7.4 Advance Notification 71
7.5 Scheduled Load Reduction Program 72
7.6 Other Recommendations 74
8. Funding and Program Limits 74
9. Implementation 82
Findings of Fact 81
Conclusions of Law 89
INTERIM ORDER 97
ATTACHMENT A - Changes to Current Interruptible Programs, New Interruptible Programs, and Rotating Outage Programs
ATTACHMENT B - Decision No. 91584: Priority System for Rotating Outages
ATTACHMENT C - Adopted Priority System for Rotating Outages
ATTACHMENT D - Adopted Studies and Reports
ATTACHMENT E - Presiding Officer and Assigned Commissioner Ruling
Regarding Customer Reclassification Between Essential and Non-Essential Categories for Rotating Outages
ATTACHMENT F - Presiding Officer and Assigned Commissioner Ruling
on Emergency Motions
INTERIM OPINION
1. Summary
This decision adopts important improvements to the interruptible tariffs and rotating outage programs of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E). These changes will improve the reliability of California's electric system for the near term, particularly Summer 2001.
The adopted programs are described in Attachment A. These programs largely implement the February 9, 2001 recommendations of the Energy Division, which we clarify and modify based on reasonable proposals and suggestions made in the February 14, 2001 Joint Proposal, the February 22, 2001 comments, and the February 26, 2001 reply comments.
This order provides a broad range of short-term and mid-term tools to help California get through the challenges of the immediate future, while additional steps are taken elsewhere to implement a more comprehensive response to the situations that Californians now face.
