COM/CXW/eap

Decision 01-09-020 September 6, 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 & 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)

INTERIM OPINION
ON CATEGORY M EXEMPTIONS FROM ROTATING OUTAGES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

INTERIM OPINION ON CATEGORY M EXEMPTIONS FROM ROTATING OUTAGES 1

1. Summary 2

2. Background 3

3. Exponent Report and Results 5

3.1 Methodology and Analysis 6

3.2 Exponent's Recommendations 8

4. Discussion 10

4.1 Exponent's Methodology 10

4.2 Electric Generators 13

4.3 Police, Fire, Prisons 14

4.4 Exponent List Ranked by Public Health and Safety Risk 16

4.5 Skilled Nursing Facilities and Dialysis Treatment Centers 17

4.6 Statement of Authenticity 20

4.7 Incomplete or Late Applications 21

5. Implementation 22

6. Expiration in 24 months 23

7. Notice Before Rotating Outages 26

8. Limited Service of Attachment A 26

9. Limited Service of Applications for Rehearing 27

10. Need for Expedited Consideration 28

11. Comments on Draft Decision 29

Findings of Fact 32

Conclusions of Law 36

ORDER 39

Attachment A- Electric Generator Applicants

Attachment B- Applicants Granted Category M Status

1. Summary

Nearly 10,000 customers applied by the June 4, 2001 deadline to be essential customers normally exempt from rotating outages based on public health and safety (Category M). Those applications are considered in this decision. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.

We find many of 41 electric generator applicants to be essential customers under essential customer Categories F and K. (See Attachment A.) The remaining electric generator applications need further analysis to determine whether or not they are net contributors to their circuit. Utilities must submit a report regarding circuit net generation for these customers within 30 days.

We treat 51 applications from customers who provide police, fire and prison services as applications for Category A. We refer these applications to respondent utilities, as set forth in the Presiding Officer and Assigned Commissioner's Ruling dated August 17, 2001.

We find 404 customers eligible for Category M.¹ (See Attachment B.) Respondent utilities shall exempt involved circuits from rotating outages for those customers listed in Appendix B who have submitted a statement of authenticity within 10 days of the date of this order. Respondent utilities shall exempt involved circuits from rotating outages for those customers that have not yet submitted a statement of authenticity within 10 days of the date of a letter from the Energy Division Director reporting receipt of a Statement of Authenticity. The Category M status granted by this order expires on September 6, 2003.

Customers who have not yet submitted the required Statement of Authenticity are not exempt until they submit this Statement. They must do so within 60 days of the mailing date of this decision, or their eligibility expires.

Respondent utilities must notify Category M customers as circuits are exempted, and 30 days before the Category M status expires. Utilities must submit certain reports to ensure actions are undertaken promptly, and to permit further Commission action, if necessary. Finally, we adopt limited procedural modifications to limit otherwise burdensome service of comments, and applications for rehearing.