WEBVTT

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The feed for this streaming event brought to you by

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adminmonitor.com will begin momentarily. Thank

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you for your patience.

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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission

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Voting Meeting on this day, Thursday May 18, 2023.

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Today's call is being recorded, if you have any objections

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you may disconnect at this time. President Reynolds, 

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you may begin.

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Good morning, everyone. We need to start by establishing

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a quorum. Agenda Clerk, could you please call the roll? 

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Commissioner Douglas? Here. 

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Commissioner John Reynolds? Here. Commissioner Houck? 

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Here. Commissioner Shiroma? 

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Here. President Alice Reynolds? Here. We have a quorum.

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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission.

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I'm calling this meeting of May 18, 2023 Public Agenda

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No. 3527 to order. We'll start with a few housekeeping

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matters. Today, we're meeting virtually and this meeting

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is also being live streamed. You can view the meeting

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at www.adminmonitor.com/ca

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/cpuc    Closed captioning is available in English

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and Spanish through the webcast. To view the closed

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captioning, click on the green button beneath the webcast

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video player. And follow the instructions that appear

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on screen. Spanish interpretation is also available

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during the Public Comment portion of today's meeting.

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For Spanish interpretation dial 1-800-857-1917, passcode

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3799627#, and follow the instructions to be connected

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to the Spanish line. I ask that my colleagues and today's

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speakers speak clearly and slowly, to allow for interpretation.

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Public engagement is critical to the CPUC process.

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And at today's meeting, the public will have the opportunity

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to make public comment by telephone. If you wish to

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make a public comment by telephone, please dial 1-800-

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857-1917, and enter passcode 9899501#, and press *1.

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You will be placed in a queue and the operator

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will take your name and information. You will then

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be called upon to speak when we get to the Public Comment

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period in today's Agenda. Please note, that if there

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are many callers the wait may be long. If you encounter

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difficulties calling into the public telephone line.

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Please email: votingmeetinghelp@cpuc.

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ca.gov   For those who are not able to provide oral

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public comments at today's public voting meeting or

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otherwise wish to provide more lengthy comments. I

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want to remind you of the option to submit written

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comments. Written comments can be sent to us in 2

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ways. One, via an online form found in each Proceedings

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online docket card. Or two directly to our Public Advisors

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Office at public.advisor@cpuc.

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ca.gov   More information about providing comments

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can be found on our website or you may email our Public

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Advisors Office. And again, that email address is

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public.advisor@cpuc.ca.

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gov    Or you may call 1-866-849-8390. All right, I did

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want to start by taking a moment to recognize. That

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last week, May 8 - May 12 was Public Service

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Recognition Week. Designated to honor and recognize

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those who work for state, federal and local government.

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President Biden issued a Proclamation in commemoration.

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Noting that there's an obligation to support our public

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servants, and to recognize and value their commitment

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and sacrifice. And here in California, the Governor

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thanked California's dedicated public servants for

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their work for all Californians. At the CPUC, Executive

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Director Peterson sent a note of thanks and to, and

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to celebrate public service. I wanted to take a moment

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as well, to say thank you before we begin the meeting 

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today. Thank you to all of the CPUC employees. 

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For your tireless efforts, your dedication to your

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work and your eagerness to serve the State of California.

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There's so much going on. Whether it means ensuring

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the safety of our transportation infrastructure, moving

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towards our clean energy future, protecting consumers, 

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ensuring clean and reliable water or providing broadband

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for all. And I do want to specifically thank the many

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Staff across all our divisions. Who have been working

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on Summer Reliability efforts. To keep the lights on

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this Summer, and to ensure the health and safety of

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Californians. Extreme weather and climate change have

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put us to the test and our staff, Staff has stepped

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up to the challenges before us. Often, very often putting

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in extra hours on fast deadlines and service. As an

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example later today our, in our management report.

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We'll be reporting out on the cross cutting Summer

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preparedness efforts we're undertaking. So to all the

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Staff, your jobs are incredibly important and rarely

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recognized. So thank you again.

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And with that, we'll now go to Public Comment. Um, I

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have a few instructions before we start and then the

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operator will open up the public comment telephone

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line. If you wish to make a public comment by telephone,

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and you have already dialed into the public comment

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telephone line. Please press *1 and unmute your

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phone. The public can make comments addressing items

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on the Consent and Regular Agenda, as well as items

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not on the Agenda. CPUC rules do not allow for

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parties in Proceedings to speak about Open Proceedings.

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All speakers will have 1 minute to speak. You will

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hear a bell sound when your time is up. Please be mindful

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of other speakers waiting to speak and keep to your

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allotted time. As a reminder, please speak clearly

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and slowly to accommodate our Spanish interpreters.

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With that guidance in mind, I welcome today's speakers.

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And I will ask the Operator to open the public comment

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telephone line. Operator?

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Thank you. The public comment telephone line is now

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open. For those on the phone, if you wish to speak during

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the public comment period. Please unmute your phone, 

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press *1, and record your first and last name

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slowly and clearly when prompted. Our first caller

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is Richard Skaff. You may go ahead.

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Thank you. Can you hear me? My name is Richard Skaff.

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I'm the Executive Director of the 501(c)(3) 

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nonprofit called, Designing Accessible Communities.

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I first want to say I resent the fact that we are

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only allowed one minute. On issues that affect many

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lives negatively. Um, we need to be, uh the public needs

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to be heard and 1 minute isn't adequate for that.

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You have a responsibility to protect ratepayers

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in the areas of water, broadband, transportation and

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electricity. And in almost all of those that I've been

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following, um we are less than protected the public,

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that you're supposed to be protecting. It is outrageous

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that um, the um CPUC Commissioners are considering

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using language. That will reduce the um, descriptive

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responsibility PG&E has for the Zogg Fire. I

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find it absolutely unacceptable, and am asking by

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my comments. That you not um, take that step. But in fact, 

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hold PG&E fully responsible for starting the Zogg Fire.

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I also ask that the PUC start doing what they have been

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asked to do. And that is protect ratepayers in all aspects.

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Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Greg Morris, you may go ahead.

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Hello, uh.

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Hello, President and Commissioners. Thank you very

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much for the opportunity today. My name is Greg Morris,

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I'm the Director of the Green Power Institute. And I'm

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actually calling in regards to SB1109. Legislation

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that was passed and signed into law last year. It's

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the uh, California Renewable Portfolio Standard Program

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Bioenergy Projects. I just want to encourage you to

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take steps to enact this important law. Thank you very

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much. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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And before we go to the next caller. Again, if you would

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like to make a comment, please unmute your phone. Press

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*1, and record your first and last name slowly

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and clearly when prompted. Our next caller is Tyler

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Lalaguda. You may go ahead.

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Uh, good morning Commission. This is Tyler Lalaguda calling

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once again, from the Zogg Fire zone up here in Shasta

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County. Um, I would like to thank the Commission for

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um, their uh resolve in moving forward with the resolutions

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as offered before the Commission today. Um, and request

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to get approval on the Consent calendar. Um, I believe there

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may be a clerical error. With respects to the Agenda

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Items that exhibits its mark. I'll probably anticipate

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following up with a, a letter confirming a such clerical

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error. And uh with that again, I would thank the Commission

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and uh looking forward to seeing the approval on the

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Consent calendar. Again, this is Tyler Lalaguda up here on the

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Zogg Fire matter. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller

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please.

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Our next caller is Brandon Ruderman, you may go ahead.

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Yeah, hi. This is Brandon Rittiman. I'm a reporter with

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ABC10 here in Sacramento. I had previously reached

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out to the Communications Office for a comment on this

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Zogg Fire settlement. And I just ask that you please

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consider as you take your vote today. I know it's on

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the Consent calendar and that's usually handled in

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the batch, often with minimal discussion. Um, that you consider

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answering the question that I sent into the Communications

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Office. Which essentially is why does the Commission

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believe that it is appropriate to settle the Zogg Fire, without

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an admission of wrongdoing by PG&E? And I'm looking

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for your thinking and/or why you think it is a just

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or moral or whatever outcome you would like to describe

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it as? Thank you so much. Thank you. Operator, next

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caller please.

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We have no additional callers in queue at this time.

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But again, if you would like to make a comment, please

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press *1.

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All right, we'll pause for a moment to see if there's

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anyone else waiting to get in the queue.

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Our next caller is Walter Park, you may go ahead. 

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Uh, thank you. I'm Walter Park. I'm uh, consumer and

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ratepayer in San Francisco. Uh, I read the ABC10 article

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by Brandon Rittiman. I didn't see a line in there, that

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wasn't true. Um, the Zogg Fire, you know, whether it's

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vast incompetence. Which I don't believe it is or corruption

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or flagrant neglect, criminal neglect. I don't know

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what to call it, but there are 100 people who are dead

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as a result of PG&E's failings, since the San

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Bruno fire many years ago. You remember when they had

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the rent the entire (inaudible) to try to find their

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own records. And now we're hearing again oh, it was

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a loss of recordkeeping. That we just lost track of

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that tree, that then created the fire that then killed

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4 more people. The public outrage about this is

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palpable. And I think Commissioners, I would like to

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see a majority of the Commissioners frankly resign

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in protest. And if you don't resign in protest, that

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forgiving another multi $100 million fee, fine. Then

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you should be recalled. Thank you.

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Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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And I show no additional callers at this time. But again

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that is *1, if you would like to make a comment.

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Our next caller is Michael Aguirre, you may go ahead.

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Good morning. Um, PG&E is a criminal enterprise 

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engaged in a pattern of criminal behavior. Costing the

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lives and property of Californians.

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The CPUC's response at, not at the Staff level but

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at the uh, officer level. Has been to weaken the law

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and weaken enforcement. And now you are literally on

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a downward death spiral. Each time, each time PG&E's conduct

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is found to have killed and injured. You're weaker

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and weaker in your response. Those members of the Board,

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you may feel that you're above the law and you will

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not be held accountable. But your day of reckoning

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will come and you will eventually be held accountable.

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If not in criminal court in some other capacity. For

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those of the Staff, please speak out. Please reach

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out to the media, help California. 

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And it appears Mr. Aguirre's line has disconnected. All right.

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No additional callers, I'm sorry. We have no additional

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callers in queue at this time. But again, *1 to make

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a comment.

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I think, I think is it true? Is there no one else

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on the line, Operator?

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Correct, no one else in queue at this time. Okay, great.

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Um, with no one else on the line for public comment.

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The Public Comment period is now closed.

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Um, I will now turn to the Public Agenda. And these are

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the the changes to today's Public Agenda. Items 2, 4

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and 16 are held to the June 8, 2023 Voting Meeting.

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Item 3 has been withdrawn. Item 5 has been held

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to the June 29, 2023 Voting Meeting. Item 44 has

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been moved to Consent. We'll now take up this Consent

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Agenda and I'll start by asking for a motion on the

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Consent Items.

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So moved. Motion by Commissioner Reynolds. Um, is there

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a second?

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I'll second the motion. All right. We have a motion

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and a second for the Consent Agenda. Agenda Clerk, 

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could you please call the roll? Commissioner Douglas? Aye.

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Commissioner John Reynolds? Yes. Commissioner Houck? Yes.

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Commissioner Shiroma? 

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Aye. President Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote is 5-0. The

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Consent Agenda has been approved. I'll now move to

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Item 45 on the Regular Agenda. Item 45 is an order

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instituting rulemaking which opens a proceeding to

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update and amend GO 131-D. Pursuant to Senate Bill

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529 related to electrical transmission facilities. GO

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131-D was originally adopted by the commission in 1970,

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and it was last updated in 1995. Since then, there have

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been significant changes in technologies that connect

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to the grid, the configuration of the grid and California's

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climate goals. This new rulemaking would implement

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changes mandated by SB529. And consider additional

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modifications, to modernize the rules governing the

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Commission's review of transmission and generation

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projects. Pursuant to SB529, the OIR would propose

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modifications to GO 131-D. To no longer require a certificate

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of public convenience or necessity or CPCN. When

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an investor and utility expands or upgrades an existing

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transmission line or substation. Instead IOU's would

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be authorized to use a more streamlined permit to construct

00:18:15.328 --> 00:18:20.068
process or claim an eligible exemption. The OIR also

00:18:20.078 --> 00:18:25.890
proposes to modify GO 131D to create a process for

00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:29.250
permitting battery storage projects. Provide the Commission

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.828
with better information for electrical infrastructure

00:18:31.838 --> 00:18:36.229
projects. Increase cost transparency for all projects

00:18:36.239 --> 00:18:42.769
subject to GO 131-D, better align GO 131 with other Commission

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:48.390
orders. Um, the Commission's climate goals will require

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:51.150
a significant build up out of infrastructure at the

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:54.689
transmission and substation level. And updated rules

00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:57.890
that streamline upgrades and modifications of the existing

00:18:57.900 --> 00:19:01.279
transmission infrastructure. Will contribute to timely

00:19:01.289 --> 00:19:04.739
construction of renewable generation resources. And

00:19:04.750 --> 00:19:08.239
distributed energy resources, such as charging for electrical

00:19:08.250 --> 00:19:13.229
vehicle fleets. This OIR will both fulfill a statutory

00:19:13.239 --> 00:19:17.739
mandate and help to modernize GO 131-D. To facilitate

00:19:17.750 --> 00:19:21.130
the achievement of California's climate goals, contribute

00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:25.039
to reliability and control costs for customers. So

00:19:25.049 --> 00:19:29.078
I do support the proposed OIR. And I will now

00:19:29.088 --> 00:19:33.910
turn to my fellow Commissioners for comment. Uh, Commissioner

00:19:34.108 --> 00:19:40.019
Houck? Thank you, President Reynolds. Um, so this new

00:19:40.029 --> 00:19:42.949
electric transmission planning OIR, as you stated.

00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:46.299
Is an important step to addressing issues such as cost, 

00:19:46.309 --> 00:19:50.519
permitting, battery storage projects, CEQA and local government

00:19:50.529 --> 00:19:54.199
collaboration and coordination. As, as you indicated,

00:19:54.209 --> 00:19:58.118
SB529 directs the Commission to update General Order

00:19:58.130 --> 00:20:02.000
131-D. And authorizes investor-owned utilities to use

00:20:02.009 --> 00:20:05.289
the permit. To construct, process ,to seek approval to

00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:08.920
construct. An extension expansion upgrade or modification

00:20:08.930 --> 00:20:12.059
of a transmission line or substation within existing

00:20:12.068 --> 00:20:15.920
easements. SB529 provides that the investor-owned

00:20:15.930 --> 00:20:19.348
utilities will not be required to obtain a certificate

00:20:19.358 --> 00:20:22.410
of public convenience or necessity. When seeking approval

00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:25.709
to construct. As is currently the case for transmission

00:20:25.719 --> 00:20:29.789
facilities above um, 20KB for these modifications. The

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:35.189
Commission, um has been an active participant in NARUC. 

00:20:35.630 --> 00:20:39.549
And um as such, I am 1 of 10 Commissioners appointed

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:42.880
by FERC. That participates in the Federal State Transmission

00:20:42.890 --> 00:20:48.049
Planning Task Force known as the FERC/NARUC Task Force. And um, I serve

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:50.959
as again, 1 of 10 Commissioners, 2 Commissioners

00:20:50.969 --> 00:20:55.598
representing the West. And um, I'm very familiar with the

00:20:55.608 --> 00:20:59.000
transmission constraints and needs and strategy that's

00:20:59.009 --> 00:21:01.920
being discussed at both the national and state level

00:21:01.930 --> 00:21:04.799
on how to address these constraints. And I believe

00:21:04.809 --> 00:21:06.989
that the work of this new Proceeding is going to play

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:10.809
an important role in achieving those goals. In working

00:21:10.818 --> 00:21:15.834
towards um, meeting our West wide needs particularly California

00:21:15.844 --> 00:21:19.805
needs. And um, achieving the transmission that we're going

00:21:19.814 --> 00:21:23.953
to have to have in order to um, meet our reliability needs.

00:21:23.963 --> 00:21:27.045
Ensure that we can minimize cost for the transmission

00:21:27.055 --> 00:21:29.604
upgrades that are going to be needed, and ensure that

00:21:29.614 --> 00:21:33.394
we're able to meet our clean energy goals. And um, our

00:21:33.404 --> 00:21:39.729
goal is to adopt um a new 131, uh GO 131-D. That will better

00:21:39.739 --> 00:21:42.039
address the needs of the State of California and its

00:21:42.049 --> 00:21:46.338
residents. Be consistent with SB529, other applicable

00:21:46.348 --> 00:21:49.848
laws policies and federal regulatory Commission orders.

00:21:49.858 --> 00:21:53.170
As well as provide clearer, more efficient and consistent

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:58.348
process um, for applicants and um parties participating in

00:21:58.358 --> 00:22:01.743
our Proceedings. So I'm looking forward um, to seeing what

00:22:01.755 --> 00:22:03.894
we're able to achieve through the rulemaking. I want

00:22:03.904 --> 00:22:06.674
to thank Administrative Law Judge, Cathy Fogel and all

00:22:06.684 --> 00:22:08.983
of the Staff that contributed to preparing the 

00:22:08.993 --> 00:22:11.805
rulemaking. And again, look forward to seeing how this

00:22:11.814 --> 00:22:14.604
rulemaking will contribute to expediting transmission

00:22:14.614 --> 00:22:17.973
authorization. In a manner that provides for new resources

00:22:17.983 --> 00:22:21.084
to come online. Further our clean energy goals and lower

00:22:21.094 --> 00:22:26.118
costs for ratepayers.

00:22:26.118 --> 00:22:31.009
Thank you, Commissioner Houck. Uh, Commissioner Douglas? 

00:22:31.009 --> 00:22:35.509
Um thank you, President Reynolds. I just briefly wanted

00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:40.219
to offer my thanks as well to Judge Fogel and Energy

00:22:40.229 --> 00:22:43.420
Division Staff. Who developed the proposed decision

00:22:43.910 --> 00:22:48.588
and the options for moving forward. And I also speak

00:22:48.598 --> 00:22:52.989
in support of this item. Um, I like the preliminary

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:57.259
scope focusing on implementation of SB529, as well

00:22:57.269 --> 00:23:02.118
as other important matters. Such as increasing transparency

00:23:02.130 --> 00:23:05.789
around costs, permitting of battery storage projects

00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:09.789
and the Commission's role as CEQA lead agency. And

00:23:09.809 --> 00:23:14.709
I'm very hopeful that this Proceeding will result in

00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:19.430
providing the Commission with more ability. To help

00:23:19.439 --> 00:23:22.680
the state meet its ambitious climate and clean energy

00:23:22.689 --> 00:23:27.209
goals and help support reliability over the long term.

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:32.729
As I think we all know the 2021 Joint Agency 

00:23:32.739 --> 00:23:36.818
SB100 Report. Developed jointly by the California Public

00:23:36.828 --> 00:23:39.449
Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission

00:23:39.459 --> 00:23:43.618
and the Air Resources Board. Presented a number of possible

00:23:43.630 --> 00:23:48.989
scenarios for California's future. Um, including a scenario

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:54.309
that was, that formed the basis of the CAICO's first ever

00:23:54.318 --> 00:23:59.640
20 year transmission outlook. And provided a real preview

00:23:59.650 --> 00:24:03.519
of some of the longer term grid requirements and options.

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:08.539
For meeting the need for the build out of the clean

00:24:08.549 --> 00:24:12.828
power sector here. Um, some of the takeaways that I

00:24:12.838 --> 00:24:18.239
think um, many of us are familiar with. Are that to reach

00:24:18.250 --> 00:24:23.430
the 2045 target with electrification of other sectors

00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:26.588
in line with our climate goals. We'll need to roughly

00:24:26.598 --> 00:24:30.299
triple our current electricity grid capacity. We'll

00:24:30.309 --> 00:24:35.029
need to expand clean energy generation capacity at

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:40.250
a record breaking rate. Really year after year, um

00:24:40.250 --> 00:24:45.380
for the foreseeable future. And on average, that's

00:24:45.390 --> 00:24:50.348
looking like up to 6 gigawatts of new renewable and

00:24:50.358 --> 00:24:54.500
storage resources annually. It's going it, of course

00:24:54.509 --> 00:24:59.358
we all know transmission build out is what makes all

00:24:59.368 --> 00:25:03.989
of that um, possible. It's, it's very important for

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:08.650
us to be looking ahead. Understanding what transmission

00:25:08.890 --> 00:25:12.098
is most critically needed and then having the tools

00:25:12.108 --> 00:25:16.750
to do our part. To move it forward in a responsible

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:21.000
way. And so I, I'm in support of this moving forward

00:25:21.009 --> 00:25:24.068
and just appreciate it. Uh, being brought forward to

00:25:24.078 --> 00:25:26.568
us today.

00:25:26.568 --> 00:25:28.818
Great. Thank you, Commissioner Douglas. Commissioner

00:25:28.828 --> 00:25:31.160
Reynolds?

00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:34.269
Thank you, President Reynolds. I would like to recognize

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:36.759
Judge Cathy Fogel for leading the development of the

00:25:36.769 --> 00:25:41.209
OIR. Along with AC, Kimberly Kim and Judge Sophia Park.

00:25:41.328 --> 00:25:43.618
I would like to thank the whole team along with uh,

00:25:43.630 --> 00:25:49.209
Jack Mulligan, John Forsythe and Elaine Sison-Lebrilla for briefing my

00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:52.848
office earlier this week. This rulemaking is an important

00:25:52.858 --> 00:25:55.578
step that recognizes the need to speed up permanent

00:25:55.588 --> 00:25:58.779
processes. To support the resource and transmission

00:25:58.789 --> 00:26:01.769
development. As has been noted that is required to

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:05.588
meet our state climate goals. Notably, it also scopes

00:26:05.598 --> 00:26:09.229
in consideration of process for providing greater cost

00:26:09.239 --> 00:26:12.318
transparency. And I see the prospect of this is a clear

00:26:12.328 --> 00:26:15.439
win for all Californians. I will be supporting this

00:26:15.449 --> 00:26:17.949
item.

00:26:17.949 --> 00:26:22.039
Great. Thank you, Commissioner Reynolds. Commissioner Shiroma?

00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:25.568
Thank you, President Reynolds. I also support this

00:26:25.578 --> 00:26:30.848
Order Instituting Rulemaking. As outlined by the other

00:26:30.858 --> 00:26:34.930
Commissioners are strong environmental policies and

00:26:34.939 --> 00:26:39.259
they must be very strong. Including increasing electric

00:26:39.269 --> 00:26:44.689
generation uh, uh electrification opportunities, uh

00:26:44.709 --> 00:26:49.739
renewable resources. All of these tools to meet greenhouse

00:26:49.750 --> 00:26:55.160
gas is actually objective. This does create an unprecedented

00:26:55.170 --> 00:26:59.269
need for grid modernization. Including expansions,

00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:05.009
upgrades, modifications and creation of new lines. This

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:10.500
OIR will consider how we achieve our renewable goals

00:27:10.598 --> 00:27:13.818
while supporting the streamlining of the construction

00:27:13.828 --> 00:27:18.828
process, while also meeting CEQA standards. I look

00:27:18.838 --> 00:27:21.400
forward to following the important issues that will

00:27:21.410 --> 00:27:25.209
be considered in the OIR. And I also add my thanks

00:27:26.229 --> 00:27:30.539
to Judge Fogel and the team. Uh, for this uh important work on

00:27:30.549 --> 00:27:34.239
the OIR. I support it, thank you. 

00:27:34.239 --> 00:27:37.709
Great. Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma. Okay. With that, 

00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:42.259
I would like to ask for a motion on Item 45. I

00:27:42.269 --> 00:27:46.469
move that we adopt Item 45. Okay. We have a Commissioner, 

00:27:46.479 --> 00:27:52.219
a motion by Commissioner Houck. Is there a second? 

00:27:52.219 --> 00:27:56.180
Second. Second from Commissioner Douglas. Uh, with

00:27:56.189 --> 00:27:59.848
a motion and a second on Item 45. Agenda Clerk, could 

00:27:59.858 --> 00:28:02.549
you please call the roll?

00:28:02.549 --> 00:28:08.868
Commissioner Douglas? Aye. Commissioner John Reynolds. Yes. 

00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:14.209
Commissioner Houck? Yes. Commissioner Shiroma? 

00:28:14.209 --> 00:28:21.559
Aye. President Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote is 5-0. The item

00:28:21.568 --> 00:28:27.809
passes. We will now move to Agenda Item 46. Uh, Item

00:28:27.818 --> 00:28:31.640
46 is Management Report on Administrative Actions and

00:28:31.650 --> 00:28:35.309
Consumer Protection and Safety Activities. And today, 

00:28:35.318 --> 00:28:39.289
we do have a management report to be presented. So

00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:43.088
I will turn to Executive Director, Rachel Peterson to

00:28:43.098 --> 00:28:46.529
present on Reliability and Resilient Safeguards for

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:52.410
Extreme Climate Events. Ms. Peterson? Thank you very

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:55.219
much, President Reynolds. Quick sound check. I'm coming

00:28:55.229 --> 00:28:58.939
through, okay? You sound great. All right, good morning

00:28:58.949 --> 00:29:02.189
everyone. Thank you so much for the opportunity, President

00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:05.868
Reynolds and Commissioners to present to you today. 

00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:10.618
It is May, we are just ahead of the Summer season. And

00:29:10.630 --> 00:29:13.588
so I thought that it's a good time for us to provide

00:29:13.598 --> 00:29:17.118
you with this briefing on our preparations here at

00:29:17.130 --> 00:29:20.400
the Staff, by the Staff of the CPUC. For

00:29:20.410 --> 00:29:24.140
what may be in store for California this Summer. Um, 

00:29:24.150 --> 00:29:27.660
so first slide, please.

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:33.049
So I have framed this in the form of safeguards and

00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:36.939
I'll be talking about 5 safeguards today. First, 

00:29:36.949 --> 00:29:41.140
our preparedness for extreme heat. Second, for public

00:29:41.150 --> 00:29:44.969
safety power shut offs. That are a mitigation tool to

00:29:44.979 --> 00:29:50.689
reduce utility ignited welfare risk. The hazard of

00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:55.469
this year that is unique, the risk of flooding. Then

00:29:55.479 --> 00:29:59.608
a touch on all hazards preparation by all the industries

00:29:59.618 --> 00:30:02.979
that we regulate. And then last our senior leaderships

00:30:02.989 --> 00:30:08.390
emergency preparedness. Next slide, please.

00:30:08.390 --> 00:30:12.239
So we at the CPUC are part of California's

00:30:12.250 --> 00:30:15.818
all front mission. To ensure first and foremost that

00:30:15.828 --> 00:30:19.900
we have enough power during extreme heat events. And

00:30:19.910 --> 00:30:23.969
that is because losing power in and of itself creates

00:30:23.979 --> 00:30:27.959
a public safety and a public health emergency. And

00:30:27.969 --> 00:30:30.858
so a major part of what we are doing right now is

00:30:30.868 --> 00:30:34.630
to work with our state partners to ensure that California

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:39.180
has enough electricity for summer of 2023. Next slide

00:30:39.189 --> 00:30:44.039
please.

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:47.709
This means that right now we are working to increase

00:30:47.719 --> 00:30:51.479
electricity supply through our procurement orders especially

00:30:51.489 --> 00:30:55.049
generation and storage together. We're working with

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:59.130
the Energy Commission today to get customers enrolled

00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:02.309
in load shifting programs that will operate during

00:31:02.318 --> 00:31:05.920
emergency conditions. And we're working closely with

00:31:05.930 --> 00:31:08.828
a number of state partners. As you can see on the slide

00:31:09.219 --> 00:31:12.739
about how resources will be dispatched across the grid

00:31:12.750 --> 00:31:18.180
in extreme conditions. Next slide, please.

00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:22.880
We also have um, oversight over generation plants along

00:31:22.890 --> 00:31:27.489
with new citation authority. And so another area of

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:30.759
ensuring sufficient electricity supply is that we are

00:31:30.769 --> 00:31:34.328
working right now. To make sure that those generation

00:31:34.338 --> 00:31:37.930
plants are getting ready to keep their plant operations

00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:41.969
going, including when conditions are extreme. They're

00:31:41.979 --> 00:31:44.348
checking their protocols and we're making sure that

00:31:44.358 --> 00:31:47.500
they can address any unplanned outage as rapidly as

00:31:47.509 --> 00:31:51.160
possible. Including giving the state that very important

00:31:51.170 --> 00:31:54.068
piece of information, which is when can they bring

00:31:54.078 --> 00:31:57.380
their plants back online when we're all experiencing

00:31:57.390 --> 00:32:01.900
those extreme conditions? We're also making sure that

00:32:01.910 --> 00:32:04.689
utilities are connecting with local governments and

00:32:04.699 --> 00:32:09.250
emergency responders about the unplanned outages and

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:12.709
reliability issues that have been happening over the

00:32:12.719 --> 00:32:17.000
last two summers. We held a workshop on March 17,

00:32:17.150 --> 00:32:20.568
and you can see El Dorado County Supervisor Laurie

00:32:20.578 --> 00:32:23.838
Parlin's quote there on the slide. Which I think really

00:32:23.848 --> 00:32:29.118
encapsulates the public safety impact of losing electricity.

00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:33.039
Next slide, please.

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:36.209
The next safeguard all addressed is ensuring that electric

00:32:36.219 --> 00:32:40.059
utilities are prepared to safely execute public safety

00:32:40.068 --> 00:32:44.150
power shut off. It is a wildfire risk mitigation tool

00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:47.459
As I mentioned at the outset. But I want to equally

00:32:47.469 --> 00:32:51.459
emphasize what the CPUC has emphasized to electric

00:32:51.469 --> 00:32:55.868
utilities now across several years. That we have an

00:32:55.880 --> 00:33:00.009
expectation that they must grasp and mitigate the public

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:04.019
safety impact of shutting off power. It is a tool that

00:33:04.029 --> 00:33:07.150
is useful in terms of welfare, risk mitigation, but

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:10.318
it is in itself also a public safety impact at the

00:33:10.328 --> 00:33:12.630
same time.

00:33:12.630 --> 00:33:17.130
We did get a small reprieve in weather events in 2022

00:33:17.318 --> 00:33:21.358
But we are also preparing now for 2023. If you'll go

00:33:21.368 --> 00:33:25.838
to the next slide, please. And this slide lists a number

00:33:25.848 --> 00:33:28.809
of actions that we're taking right now to ensure that

00:33:28.818 --> 00:33:33.338
preparedness. The electric utilities briefed you Commissioners

00:33:33.348 --> 00:33:37.000
about the 2022 season and their lessons learned on

00:33:37.009 --> 00:33:40.630
April 18. And you heard from affected local governments

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:44.959
as well. Right now is the season of preparation. They

00:33:44.969 --> 00:33:49.170
are conducting tabletop and full scale exercises. They're

00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:52.890
monitoring extended weather forecasts, ensuring that

00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:55.449
they have an understanding of where customers are,

00:33:55.459 --> 00:33:59.549
especially medical baseline customers. Providing advanced

00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:02.719
support like backup batteries and working with the

00:34:02.729 --> 00:34:05.680
state wide access and functional needs leadership.

00:34:06.509 --> 00:34:10.639
These are all pursuant to the public safety power shut

00:34:10.648 --> 00:34:12.989
off guidelines and rules that we at the Commission

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:16.717
have set in place over the last several years. We've

00:34:16.728 --> 00:34:20.759
also started our series of preparatory discussions. 

00:34:20.818 --> 00:34:24.509
We host monthly preparation meetings with Cal Fire

00:34:24.518 --> 00:34:28.539
CAL OES, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. 

00:34:28.548 --> 00:34:32.217
The electric utilities and telephone service providers

00:34:32.228 --> 00:34:35.617
to ensure that everybody has open lines of communication. 

00:34:36.068 --> 00:34:39.427
And are preparing all the ways that they need to inform

00:34:39.438 --> 00:34:43.039
particularly the Office of Emergency Services when

00:34:43.048 --> 00:34:47.989
they begin to um, execute PSPS events.

00:34:47.989 --> 00:34:51.637
All right. Next slide, please.

00:34:51.637 --> 00:34:56.458
We also have a unique historical hazard facing us this

00:34:56.467 --> 00:35:02.108
year in 2023. The historic snow pack that is at 300%

00:35:02.117 --> 00:35:06.289
of average levels that brings with it a heightened

00:35:06.298 --> 00:35:10.500
risk of flooding. Um you know, very well, the series

00:35:10.510 --> 00:35:13.320
of Winter storms that brought up this snow pack. Which

00:35:13.329 --> 00:35:16.478
is in many ways, a good news story for California.

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:20.438
But now in turn, it creates its own compound effect

00:35:20.449 --> 00:35:23.719
of what happens when it starts to melt. Next slide

00:35:23.789 --> 00:35:26.489
please.

00:35:26.489 --> 00:35:30.179
All of the industries that we regulate have to be prepared. 

00:35:30.628 --> 00:35:34.668
Because what with that enormous snow melt, what we

00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:38.679
might have are overstressed, water resource and water

00:35:38.688 --> 00:35:43.679
conveyance conditions. Um, that can in turn, uh with that

00:35:43.688 --> 00:35:48.139
water melting. Can in turn affect and disrupt the infrastructure

00:35:48.148 --> 00:35:53.349
that we regulate. Next slide, please.

00:35:53.349 --> 00:35:58.610
And so what we've done is in um, uh within our conversations

00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:02.179
with the electric utilities in particular. Uh, really

00:36:02.188 --> 00:36:05.039
been monitoring them as far as what they are doing

00:36:05.050 --> 00:36:09.099
to both monitor and prepare. Five of them at the moment

00:36:09.110 --> 00:36:11.760
have reported that they do view this as a hazard that

00:36:11.769 --> 00:36:16.059
they're preparing for. They have um, identified priority

00:36:16.070 --> 00:36:20.378
areas that might be subject in particular at risk of

00:36:20.389 --> 00:36:24.989
flooding. Um, and they are conducting enhanced monitoring

00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:28.739
and they're staying in close contact with the, um

00:36:28.750 --> 00:36:32.250
agencies that themselves are doing forecasts of how

00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:35.438
the snowpack is melting. 

00:36:35.438 --> 00:36:38.269
Next slide, please.

00:36:38.269 --> 00:36:41.719
All right. And now kind of broadening out from those

00:36:41.728 --> 00:36:46.409
more specific, uh, safeguards and risks that we're

00:36:46.418 --> 00:36:52.228
facing. We are also um, we are a multi agency. We 

00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:56.688
regulate several industries and also we have been um

00:36:56.699 --> 00:37:00.320
ourselves preparing and asking the regulated industries

00:37:00.329 --> 00:37:05.478
to prepare for all hazards. And you know, just in our

00:37:05.489 --> 00:37:09.699
very recent history. We in California have experienced

00:37:10.090 --> 00:37:13.619
compound hazards that um really do play off of each

00:37:13.628 --> 00:37:18.019
other and increase the public safety impact. Just in

00:37:18.030 --> 00:37:23.409
August 2020, we experienced a heat wave, lightning induced

00:37:23.418 --> 00:37:28.208
wildfire complexes, rotating electricity outages, the

00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:33.619
air quality impact of wildfire smoke and all alongside

00:37:33.628 --> 00:37:38.139
the significant public safety um situation of COVID-19. 

00:37:38.978 --> 00:37:42.599
Uh, so just in case anyone thinks that this, these are

00:37:42.610 --> 00:37:45.869
uh too many hazards to think about, they have all happened

00:37:45.878 --> 00:37:49.699
in very recent memory in California. Next slide, please.

00:37:51.398 --> 00:37:54.648
And so some of the actions we're taking to prepare

00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:59.458
and prepare the industries for all hazards. Um, specifically

00:37:59.469 --> 00:38:03.219
with Tribal communities. You Commissioners participated

00:38:03.610 --> 00:38:07.929
in the March 1st Smoke, Air, Fire and Energy Symposium

00:38:07.938 --> 00:38:11.938
at Blue Link Rancheria. Where there was an interagency

00:38:11.949 --> 00:38:16.909
discussion about um Tribal preparedness. And we are

00:38:16.918 --> 00:38:19.668
continuing that discussion with some of our agency

00:38:19.679 --> 00:38:24.090
partners to really focus on tribal resilience um in

00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:28.659
their um in tribal areas around the state. We're also

00:38:28.668 --> 00:38:32.840
reviewing the emergency response plans that all regulated

00:38:32.849 --> 00:38:35.898
entities are required to have pursuant to our General

00:38:35.909 --> 00:38:42.320
Order 166. We held a Spring preparedness seminar in

00:38:42.329 --> 00:38:45.969
order to bring some state and federal experts into

00:38:45.978 --> 00:38:49.918
contact with the electric utilities. Again, to make sure

00:38:49.929 --> 00:38:54.800
that they are all aware of best practices in emergency

00:38:54.809 --> 00:38:59.530
notification and emergency response. Next slide, please.

00:39:02.168 --> 00:39:06.340
And this is just a little bit about the CPUC's own preparation

00:39:06.349 --> 00:39:11.409
related to these all hazards events. We have really

00:39:11.418 --> 00:39:15.429
built up our GIS, our geographic information systems

00:39:15.438 --> 00:39:19.510
mapping and analysis uh, capabilities recently. In the

00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:23.188
last couple of years, we've proposed some uh, increases

00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:26.639
in those in that capability to the Legislature and

00:39:26.648 --> 00:39:30.079
with the Legislature's approval. We've gotten new Staff, 

00:39:30.090 --> 00:39:33.429
new licenses and new capabilities in house. And so

00:39:33.438 --> 00:39:37.489
one thing that we're doing is ourselves identifying

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:41.000
both infrastructure that can be impacted by one of

00:39:41.010 --> 00:39:45.929
these catastrophes. And then also pursuant to our environmental

00:39:45.938 --> 00:39:49.719
and social justice action plan. We are also mapping

00:39:49.728 --> 00:39:53.050
climate vulnerable communities that can be impacted

00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:56.958
by one of these disasters. That's all to understand

00:39:56.969 --> 00:40:00.539
where these impacts can fall and then convey that information

00:40:00.550 --> 00:40:05.019
internally. So that some of our programs can also consider

00:40:05.030 --> 00:40:08.688
redirecting resources and helping prepare those communities

00:40:08.699 --> 00:40:15.239
for that kind of um, climate driven disaster.

00:40:15.239 --> 00:40:19.119
Next slide, please.

00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:22.458
And over the next couple of slides, I'll speak a little

00:40:22.469 --> 00:40:26.188
bit about how our other industries are also preparing

00:40:26.289 --> 00:40:29.228
or we are preparing those industries for these different

00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:32.739
events. On this slide, I'll actually talk about water

00:40:32.750 --> 00:40:36.989
first. Our Water Division has ensured that all 9 

00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:40.809
large IOUs investor-owned utilities are enrolled

00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:44.219
in Load reduction programs already so that they're

00:40:44.228 --> 00:40:48.599
ready for the Summer. We're also because we regulate

00:40:48.610 --> 00:40:53.579
um, 90 plus small and medium utilities. We are really

00:40:53.590 --> 00:40:57.659
looking at their ability to mitigate risk including

00:40:57.668 --> 00:41:01.398
their emergency preparedness. Um the scale of those

00:41:01.409 --> 00:41:04.559
utilities can run from very small to medium. And so

00:41:04.570 --> 00:41:09.809
it is definitely a um, an area where we really want

00:41:09.820 --> 00:41:12.619
to make sure that they are as prepared as possible.

00:41:12.949 --> 00:41:15.619
And so we've got those open lines of communication

00:41:15.628 --> 00:41:20.228
between us and the utilities, the uh state Water Resources

00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:24.719
Control Board. Um local government and the trade association

00:41:24.728 --> 00:41:29.469
California Water Association. Then turning to communications. 

00:41:29.829 --> 00:41:34.309
The Commission adopted a 72 hour backup power requirement

00:41:34.320 --> 00:41:38.550
for uh, telecommunications services providers who have

00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:43.010
facilities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 high fire threat

00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:48.989
districts. Um my PSA today, to any telecommunications

00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:52.039
service provider who's listening. Is that, that remains

00:41:52.050 --> 00:41:56.570
an active and very live expectation. Um, that you are

00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:59.398
actively ensuring that your sites are backed up with

00:41:59.409 --> 00:42:02.809
those generators. If you'll go to the next slide, we

00:42:02.820 --> 00:42:06.458
wanted to show a photo of what a resilient site looks

00:42:06.469 --> 00:42:11.789
like. So this is resilient because it has primary back

00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:16.820
haul uh, technology using fiber. It has a secondary

00:42:16.829 --> 00:42:21.659
backup with microwaves that's the circled in red uh

00:42:21.668 --> 00:42:26.039
towards the top of the facility on the left. It has

00:42:26.050 --> 00:42:29.128
a mobile generator that's circled in red towards the

00:42:29.139 --> 00:42:33.030
right hand bottom corner of the left photo. And then

00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:35.860
it also has a surveillance camera that's shown in the

00:42:35.869 --> 00:42:38.599
other photo right there. So we just wanted to show

00:42:38.610 --> 00:42:41.510
a demonstration of what this resilience looks like

00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:54.500
on the ground. Next slide, please.

00:42:54.500 --> 00:42:59.429
I'm not seeing the next slide yet. Can we move?

00:42:59.429 --> 00:43:02.949
There we go. Thank you. Thank you. Our Rail and Passenger

00:43:02.958 --> 00:43:06.570
Transportation Divisions have preparedness roles going

00:43:06.579 --> 00:43:11.239
on right now. You can see from this uh the slide here

00:43:11.250 --> 00:43:15.030
the photo on the slide that um we do worry a lot

00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:20.519
about rail, um bending and curving. And so we have a

00:43:20.530 --> 00:43:25.050
continuous welded rail regulatory standard. And our

00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:29.340
rail team is out there making sure that, um the railroads

00:43:29.349 --> 00:43:33.250
are abiding by that standard and fixing any problems

00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:37.250
ahead of both hot weather and cold weather. They are

00:43:37.260 --> 00:43:41.289
also out there ensuring that this is related to the

00:43:41.300 --> 00:43:44.329
flooding risk as well. Ensuring that railroads are

00:43:44.340 --> 00:43:48.188
clearing debris and vegetation from the culverts and

00:43:48.199 --> 00:43:53.360
bridges around their tracks. Our Passenger Transportation

00:43:53.369 --> 00:43:57.489
team has a significant role just in preparedness. They've

00:43:57.500 --> 00:44:00.159
been ready over the last couple of Summers with a list

00:44:00.168 --> 00:44:04.139
of active transportation providers that CAL OES could

00:44:04.148 --> 00:44:07.429
call on if an emergency is needed to get people from

00:44:07.438 --> 00:44:10.320
one place to another or get emergency responders from

00:44:10.329 --> 00:44:15.148
one place to another. Next slide, please.

00:44:15.148 --> 00:44:18.309
And then last, I just want to focus on the Senior Activation

00:44:18.320 --> 00:44:22.780
Team within the CPUC. We have significantly expanded

00:44:22.789 --> 00:44:26.418
our own emergency preparedness, skills and understanding

00:44:26.429 --> 00:44:30.610
and capabilities. Um, and it's in the form of a Senior

00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:36.260
Activation Team who is mobilized by me when we are

00:44:36.269 --> 00:44:40.119
needed in order to respond in support of the California

00:44:40.128 --> 00:44:43.648
Governor's Office of Emergency Services. I want to

00:44:43.659 --> 00:44:46.659
point out that it is very important to know that we

00:44:46.668 --> 00:44:51.648
are in support of CAL OES. We are going and

00:44:51.659 --> 00:44:56.128
working and responding to where they call us during

00:44:56.139 --> 00:44:59.429
an emergency. And that's just really important during

00:44:59.438 --> 00:45:04.378
a catastrophe. For an agency that does have broad authority

00:45:04.389 --> 00:45:07.860
like we do. To know that we are part of that overall

00:45:07.869 --> 00:45:12.579
incident command hierarchy. Uh, having that open line

00:45:12.590 --> 00:45:16.369
with OES, and um going where they direct us doing

00:45:16.378 --> 00:45:20.840
what they direct us to do. Next slide, please. And I

00:45:20.849 --> 00:45:25.010
just wanted to show here that our Senior Activation

00:45:25.019 --> 00:45:28.929
Team, the really the goal is to make sure that lines

00:45:28.938 --> 00:45:32.849
of communication inside the Commission are clear. That

00:45:32.860 --> 00:45:39.958
what everybody is looking at is uh understood. So that

00:45:39.969 --> 00:45:43.458
and then we have a common operating picture. So that

00:45:43.469 --> 00:45:47.329
when everybody is communicating with each other, we're

00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:50.619
all reporting back to each other on what we see, what

00:45:50.628 --> 00:45:55.510
we know. And what we're being asked to look at and just

00:45:55.519 --> 00:45:59.648
establishing that kind of common understanding. I have

00:45:59.659 --> 00:46:03.010
found to be very helpful. I've activated the Senior

00:46:03.019 --> 00:46:06.699
Team probably a dozen times in the last couple of years. 

00:46:06.708 --> 00:46:10.648
Because of the range of emergencies that California

00:46:10.659 --> 00:46:14.329
has faced. That are affecting our regulated industries

00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:18.409
And President Reynolds, you and deputy executive director

00:46:19.599 --> 00:46:24.878
were at the heart of the emerge state's emergency response

00:46:24.889 --> 00:46:28.699
last Summer. And I, we had the Senior Activation Team

00:46:28.708 --> 00:46:31.949
supporting your role at the heart of that response. 

00:46:31.958 --> 00:46:35.708
So I hope it was a helpful and organized and clear

00:46:35.719 --> 00:46:39.099
way for us to support your work. As you were there in

00:46:39.110 --> 00:46:41.949
Sacramento helping the State respond to the heat wave.

00:46:42.739 --> 00:46:45.829
Um that concludes my presentation. Thank you very much 

00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:49.188
for the opportunity to brief you today on everything

00:46:49.199 --> 00:46:52.769
that's going on at the Staff level. To prepare for Summer

00:46:52.780 --> 00:46:57.949
2023. Back to you, President Reynolds. Thank you very

00:46:57.958 --> 00:47:01.099
much, Executive Director Peterson. Um, we will take

00:47:01.110 --> 00:47:04.949
a moment just for brief comments or questions. Um, I

00:47:04.958 --> 00:47:09.739
I wanted to reflect on, first of all, just the extent

00:47:09.750 --> 00:47:13.239
of the work here. And I really appreciate everyone's

00:47:13.250 --> 00:47:16.898
involvement in, uh their response efforts. And then

00:47:16.909 --> 00:47:20.820
also recognizing the point that you made towards the

00:47:20.829 --> 00:47:23.619
end of your presentation. That this is really part of

00:47:23.628 --> 00:47:28.510
a larger effort. And so we think about our peace and

00:47:28.519 --> 00:47:32.340
the peace of our regulated entities very carefully. 

00:47:32.429 --> 00:47:36.300
But it's also part of a larger landscape and in particular

00:47:36.478 --> 00:47:41.260
the work that our the work with respect to reliability

00:47:41.269 --> 00:47:45.039
of electrical services. The work are retail providers

00:47:45.050 --> 00:47:48.199
do the CCAs, the electric service providers and the

00:47:48.208 --> 00:47:51.760
utilities. To make sure they're procuring enough energy

00:47:51.769 --> 00:47:56.969
to cover their load is also done together with the

00:47:56.978 --> 00:48:00.800
state's strategic reliability reserve. Which is on

00:48:00.809 --> 00:48:04.550
hand for it to be used in emergencies. Given that we

00:48:04.559 --> 00:48:08.000
have experienced extreme events caused by climate change

00:48:08.010 --> 00:48:11.079
in the past. We expect them to come again and we need

00:48:11.090 --> 00:48:16.898
to be ready. Um so, and then I also appreciated the

00:48:16.909 --> 00:48:19.728
point that you made on vulnerable communities and mapping

00:48:19.739 --> 00:48:22.590
those communities. Because we know that when these events

00:48:22.599 --> 00:48:26.030
occur, it's our most vulnerable who are hit the hardest. 

00:48:26.039 --> 00:48:30.849
And so I really appreciate the attention that you described

00:48:30.860 --> 00:48:35.188
Director Peterson. On making sure that those communities

00:48:35.199 --> 00:48:38.119
are front and center in the efforts of our regulated

00:48:38.128 --> 00:48:42.559
entities and in our efforts as regulators. Um So let

00:48:42.570 --> 00:48:47.148
me see if anybody has any comments? Okay. Uh, Commissioner

00:48:47.159 --> 00:48:50.398
Shiroma, I'll go to you first. Thank you, President Reynolds.

00:48:51.360 --> 00:48:55.929
Uh, thank you Rachel for the excellent presentation.

00:48:56.458 --> 00:49:01.688
Uh, really laying out all of the activities and efforts

00:49:01.699 --> 00:49:07.478
they are essential. Um, I know that in terms of being

00:49:07.489 --> 00:49:10.599
prepared, there's been a lot of practice sessions that's

00:49:10.610 --> 00:49:14.780
always very important. Uh, and uh as President Reynolds 

00:49:14.889 --> 00:49:18.519
(inaudible), it really was an eye to our most vulnerable

00:49:18.530 --> 00:49:23.570
population. The Commission's um, representative on the

00:49:23.579 --> 00:49:28.019
Low-Income Oversight Board which focuses in on the

00:49:28.179 --> 00:49:32.418
energy and water, uh low-income customers. Uh, there's

00:49:32.429 --> 00:49:37.760
al they also hear about the uh wifi, which is the discount

00:49:37.769 --> 00:49:44.590
program for uh phone service. For uh, keeping in communication

00:49:44.869 --> 00:49:49.789
when, when is needed, very dire and very important

00:49:49.800 --> 00:49:54.478
for low-income customers. And I'm pleased that throughout

00:49:54.489 --> 00:49:59.918
these years oversight board has also been kept in the loop

00:50:00.570 --> 00:50:04.289
on these activities. And have, uh provided a feedback

00:50:04.300 --> 00:50:08.260
as well. So, thank you and uh, look forward to working

00:50:08.269 --> 00:50:12.219
together, uh to uh, uh, quote whether the, whether

00:50:12.228 --> 00:50:16.300
the Summer and Fall. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma.

00:50:16.668 --> 00:50:19.688
Um, Commissioner Houck?

00:50:19.688 --> 00:50:22.619
Yeah I, I also just wanted to thank you for the presentation

00:50:22.628 --> 00:50:26.300
and all the excellent work over the, the last two years. 

00:50:26.309 --> 00:50:29.849
I've done a number of site visits with um, some of

00:50:29.860 --> 00:50:34.099
our utilities. And um, have been very impressed with

00:50:34.110 --> 00:50:36.739
um, our Staff oversight and involvement. The work that

00:50:36.750 --> 00:50:40.780
the IOUs are doing. And uh, the Senior Activation

00:50:40.789 --> 00:50:46.438
Team that you reference. I felt really helped the Commissioners

00:50:46.449 --> 00:50:48.889
informed when things were happening. There was a daily

00:50:48.898 --> 00:50:51.389
report out. You were really great about responding

00:50:51.398 --> 00:50:55.878
to questions. Just on top of everything and really impressed

00:50:55.889 --> 00:50:58.398
with all of the divisions and all of the work that

00:50:58.458 --> 00:51:04.309
you spearheaded. Along with the Deputy Directors, particularly

00:51:04.340 --> 00:51:09.208
Leuwam Tesfai. And again, I also appreciated that the

00:51:09.219 --> 00:51:13.938
presentation included some of the emergency issues

00:51:13.949 --> 00:51:16.148
for Tribal communities. Because I think there's still

00:51:16.159 --> 00:51:19.260
some work that needs to be done there. When emergencies

00:51:19.269 --> 00:51:22.128
happen in some of those very rural Tribal communities. 

00:51:22.139 --> 00:51:25.309
that have limited resources. And it's, it's good to

00:51:25.320 --> 00:51:27.699
see that we're, we're looking out for that. And trying

00:51:27.708 --> 00:51:30.510
to address that as well. But just really want to commend

00:51:30.668 --> 00:51:33.458
you and Staff for the excellent work that you've done. 

00:51:33.469 --> 00:51:35.829
And the priority that, that you've made this work.

00:51:38.168 --> 00:51:40.878
Great. Thank you. Any other? Commissioner Douglas?

00:51:42.269 --> 00:51:45.659
I don't have too much to add. But just to add on

00:51:45.668 --> 00:51:48.628
to the, thanks for the tremendous amount of work for

00:51:48.639 --> 00:51:52.708
getting ready for the Summer. It, it really does take

00:51:52.719 --> 00:51:54.789
a lot of time, and a lot of effort, and a lot

00:51:54.800 --> 00:51:59.119
of coordination and it's so important. Hopefully, we

00:51:59.128 --> 00:52:02.398
we will have a great summer and it won't get, we won't

00:52:02.409 --> 00:52:07.030
have any wild heat waves. And, and we won't need to

00:52:07.039 --> 00:52:10.208
fall back on these strategies and, and this preparation. 

00:52:10.219 --> 00:52:15.019
But um, hope isn't a plan and so having a plan and

00:52:15.030 --> 00:52:19.148
having the effort underway is important. And so I appreciate

00:52:19.159 --> 00:52:22.139
you taking the time to do it.

00:52:22.139 --> 00:52:26.019
And Commissioner Reynolds? Thank you. And I, I will

00:52:26.030 --> 00:52:29.269
echo everyone. Thanks for uh, the presentation, the very

00:52:29.280 --> 00:52:31.780
timely presentation from Executive Director Peterson. 

00:52:31.789 --> 00:52:34.648
As well as, all the work that's been going on throughout

00:52:34.659 --> 00:52:37.739
the agency. To support Summer readiness and in partnership

00:52:37.750 --> 00:52:40.889
with uh with our sister agencies. I really appreciate

00:52:40.898 --> 00:52:44.570
the reminder. That, um, you know, we often are talking

00:52:44.579 --> 00:52:48.219
about electric system reliability and the suite of

00:52:48.228 --> 00:52:51.639
work that we're doing to support that. Um, Summer heat

00:52:51.648 --> 00:52:54.438
waves and climate change are impacting all the industries

00:52:54.449 --> 00:52:58.679
we regulate. And, and something like working of, of

00:52:58.688 --> 00:53:01.510
train tracks is, is not necessarily something that

00:53:01.849 --> 00:53:06.059
um, you know, we think about any heat wave of events. 

00:53:06.070 --> 00:53:08.820
In the way that we're, we're thinking about electric

00:53:08.829 --> 00:53:12.628
system reliability. But it is every bit as much, um

00:53:13.489 --> 00:53:17.139
you know, critical safety responsibility that we have. 

00:53:17.148 --> 00:53:21.039
To make sure that the um, the train companies we regulate

00:53:21.050 --> 00:53:26.119
are prepared and maintain their track in such a way

00:53:26.128 --> 00:53:30.019
as to prevent the incidents. Much like we expect, um

00:53:31.458 --> 00:53:35.429
the electric industry to be prepared for the incidents

00:53:35.438 --> 00:53:39.039
that we've recently seen. Thanks again for the presentation. 

00:53:40.840 --> 00:53:46.050
Thanks. All right. That concludes Commissioner Remarks. 

00:53:46.059 --> 00:53:49.269
Um, thank you very much um, Executive Director Peterson. 

00:53:50.429 --> 00:53:54.260
Now going to uh, the next agenda item which is Commissioner

00:53:54.269 --> 00:53:58.579
Reports. Um, so let's see. I will ask for a volunteer

00:53:58.590 --> 00:54:01.039
for someone who'd like to go first for their Commissioner

00:54:01.050 --> 00:54:03.898
Report. 

00:54:03.898 --> 00:54:07.119
How about Commissioner Shiroma?

00:54:07.119 --> 00:54:09.500
Thank you, President Reynolds. I have several, uh 

00:54:09.510 --> 00:54:14.469
reports today. Uh yesterday, I had the opportunity

00:54:14.478 --> 00:54:20.409
to speak at the 2023 Microgrid Knowledge Conference in Anaheim. 

00:54:21.139 --> 00:54:24.840
It was very well attended with over 600 attendees.

00:54:24.849 --> 00:54:29.668
I gave the closing key note. It brought together industry

00:54:29.679 --> 00:54:33.539
innovators and practitioners. Uh, and I was able to

00:54:33.550 --> 00:54:36.369
share the accomplishments of the Commission's Microgrid

00:54:36.530 --> 00:54:40.780
Policy and Proceeding Initiative. Including equity through

00:54:40.789 --> 00:54:45.179
our newly adopted Microgrid Incentive Program. I also

00:54:45.188 --> 00:54:48.659
heard very positive feedback about the Microgrid

00:54:48.668 --> 00:54:53.869
team uh and appreciation for uh the, uh in the Microgrid 

00:54:53.889 --> 00:54:57.289
Team. Uh, the conference wrapped up with the Greater

00:54:57.300 --> 00:55:02.079
Goods Award, all awardees included a Microgrid in Nepal. 

00:55:02.449 --> 00:55:07.378
Providing energy to our children's housing and the

00:55:07.389 --> 00:55:11.628
Redwood Coast Airport. That kept operating in the aftermath

00:55:11.639 --> 00:55:16.489
of the earthquake last December. Uh, and uh the conference

00:55:16.500 --> 00:55:21.320
will be in Baltimore next year. But I also, I want

00:55:21.329 --> 00:55:26.208
to share that. Our Western Conference of Public Service

00:55:26.219 --> 00:55:30.958
Commissioners is around the corner. We are anticipating

00:55:30.969 --> 00:55:34.079
almost 400 attendees that doesn't include speakers. 

00:55:34.398 --> 00:55:39.510
Registration is closed and I have to say that um, we

00:55:39.519 --> 00:55:42.889
are expecting double what we had anticipated. So that's

00:55:42.898 --> 00:55:47.128
a good thing. I think the location in Napa and then

00:55:47.139 --> 00:55:52.898
also our very uh good family topics that are up for

00:55:52.909 --> 00:55:56.648
the conference. Uh We attracted folks not only from

00:55:56.659 --> 00:56:01.869
California but all over the West and the U.S. The panels 

00:56:01.878 --> 00:56:07.648
will be ranging from topics dealing with wildfire um, 

00:56:08.099 --> 00:56:11.119
and mitigation of catastrophic events. We just heard

00:56:11.128 --> 00:56:14.659
from Rachel, about what the CPUC is doing to prepare

00:56:15.929 --> 00:56:19.418
learning from experiences uh over the past few years. 

00:56:19.619 --> 00:56:24.699
Also preventing water failure. We have talk about cybersecurity, 

00:56:24.708 --> 00:56:29.780
broadband and learning the (inaudible)of energy. Uh, the conference

00:56:29.789 --> 00:56:32.929
will convene State Commissioners, governmental officials

00:56:32.938 --> 00:56:37.219
and industry uh, representatives from across the West

00:56:37.228 --> 00:56:40.978
and the U.S. Uh, the conference moderators include all

00:56:40.989 --> 00:56:44.289
of our CPUC Commissioners and many Commissioners

00:56:44.300 --> 00:56:49.530
from across the West. And uh now, uh our opening ceremony

00:56:49.539 --> 00:56:53.750
uh session will include Governor Newsman's Travel Affairs

00:56:53.760 --> 00:56:58.378
Secretary, Christina Snyder. And many thanks to Commissioner Houck for

00:56:58.389 --> 00:57:03.250
facilitating that uh her, her um attending our opening

00:57:03.260 --> 00:57:07.409
uh session and welcoming uh attendees. And also this

00:57:07.418 --> 00:57:11.010
month May is Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

00:57:11.019 --> 00:57:16.489
Heritage Month. Uh, and the it is uh, a time of year

00:57:16.500 --> 00:57:19.188
but we, we celebrate our diversity all year round. 

00:57:19.458 --> 00:57:22.708
But it is um the time of year when we highlight the

00:57:22.719 --> 00:57:27.458
diverse tapestry of Asian-Americans and Native Hawaiian,

00:57:27.469 --> 00:57:30.668
Pacific Islanders. And celebrate their contributions

00:57:31.219 --> 00:57:34.619
not only in California, but across the U.S. Uh later

00:57:34.628 --> 00:57:38.398
this month, our employee resource group uh plans to

00:57:38.409 --> 00:57:43.320
host two lunch and learns for our employees. Uh The

00:57:43.329 --> 00:57:48.030
topics that are being worked on are: traveling experiences

00:57:48.039 --> 00:57:52.219
in Asia or Hawaii, and the contribution of the Chinese

00:57:52.228 --> 00:57:55.949
workers on the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. 

00:57:56.280 --> 00:58:01.579
Uh, wrapping it in May of 1869 a tremendous contribution, 

00:58:01.590 --> 00:58:07.438
and we have uh many Californians, employees of CPUC. 

00:58:07.449 --> 00:58:13.148
Who have of the workers who uh, were invaluable in building

00:58:13.159 --> 00:58:17.168
the railroad. Uh, we have a wide range of Asian and

00:58:17.179 --> 00:58:21.659
Pacific Islander. Um, uh

00:58:21.659 --> 00:58:25.030
people here in California that bring a rich cultural

00:58:25.039 --> 00:58:30.239
heritage. Uh there are still hate crimes occurring. 

00:58:30.780 --> 00:58:34.128
We've seen an increase in hate crimes, which is so

00:58:34.139 --> 00:58:37.349
unfortunate and sad. Uh, it's important that we look

00:58:37.360 --> 00:58:41.110
out for each other, uh for one another and look forward

00:58:41.119 --> 00:58:44.519
to the future of healing and strength and appreciation. 

00:58:45.719 --> 00:58:49.840
My last report is that I'm pleased to announce that

00:58:49.849 --> 00:58:55.250
I have a new advisor joining my team. Rita Mizell. Rita is

00:58:55.260 --> 00:59:00.610
an attorney uh and joined the Commission in 2021. Where

00:59:00.619 --> 00:59:04.179
she has worked in the legal division, litigating rate

00:59:04.188 --> 00:59:07.539
case proceedings and transmission matters for the Public

00:59:07.550 --> 00:59:11.099
Advocates. Prior to joining the Commission, Rita was

00:59:11.110 --> 00:59:14.489
a policy and program manager at Los Angeles County's

00:59:14.719 --> 00:59:19.829
Footheld transit and managed Zero Emission Bus programs. 

00:59:20.228 --> 00:59:23.688
To support uh California Air Resources Board Innovative

00:59:23.699 --> 00:59:28.889
Clean Transit Mandate. Prior to that, Rita was in Illinois

00:59:28.898 --> 00:59:33.148
serving as a legal and policy advisor for a Commissioner

00:59:33.590 --> 00:59:37.159
at the Illinois Commerce Commission. And while there

00:59:37.168 --> 00:59:41.389
she uh, worked on issues involving transportation rectification, 

00:59:41.699 --> 00:59:46.349
energy storage, renewable energy and gas line, uh gas

00:59:46.360 --> 00:59:50.829
pipeline safety. Uh Rita obtained her Bachelor of Arts 

00:59:50.840 --> 00:59:53.148
degree in Political Science from the University of

00:59:53.159 --> 00:59:57.510
Illinois in Chicago. And attended law school at DePaul 

00:59:57.519 --> 01:00:01.878
University College of Law. In her free time, Rita enjoys

01:00:01.889 --> 01:00:04.699
hiking with her husband Michael and her dog buddy and

01:00:04.708 --> 01:00:07.789
trying out new dessert recipes. So join me and welcoming

01:00:07.800 --> 01:00:12.938
Rita. Thank you and back to you President Reynolds. Wonderful. 

01:00:12.949 --> 01:00:16.820
Thank you Commissioner Shiroma. Um, who would like to go next? 

01:00:18.780 --> 01:00:21.958
Uh Commissioner Houck?

01:00:21.958 --> 01:00:26.849
Thank you. Um first, I just wanted to um commend Commissioner

01:00:27.119 --> 01:00:29.739
Shiroma for her leadership and moving the decision that

01:00:29.750 --> 01:00:32.889
was on our Consent Agenda today forward. Regarding the

01:00:32.898 --> 01:00:36.079
process for creation of low-income customer concurrent

01:00:36.090 --> 01:00:39.728
um applications for ESA forward. I, I just wanted to

01:00:39.739 --> 01:00:43.860
recognize that. Um, the decision is critically important

01:00:43.869 --> 01:00:47.148
to streamlining the customer application process, particularly

01:00:47.159 --> 01:00:51.349
for low-income customers and creating equitable programs.

01:00:51.360 --> 01:00:54.429
This is only one step in the effort to embed equity

01:00:54.438 --> 01:00:58.010
into our programs and low-income customer participation. 

01:00:58.269 --> 01:01:01.199
And making sure that the application process is simple

01:01:01.208 --> 01:01:03.719
and accessible is going to be important to the success

01:01:03.728 --> 01:01:06.840
of our program. So although the decision adopted today

01:01:06.849 --> 01:01:10.079
is the first step in moving us closer to achieving

01:01:10.090 --> 01:01:13.000
these goals. It does put the process in motion and

01:01:13.010 --> 01:01:15.478
I wanted to recognize that. And again, thank Commissioner

01:01:15.489 --> 01:01:19.889
Shiroma and um all of the team. That that worked on getting

01:01:19.898 --> 01:01:24.320
that across the finish line. Um, I also wanted to recognize

01:01:24.329 --> 01:01:27.780
there was a number of MMIP or missing and murdered

01:01:27.789 --> 01:01:30.360
indigenous people events. That occurred since our last

01:01:30.369 --> 01:01:33.228
meeting. There was a prayer walk in Sacramento on April

01:01:33.239 --> 01:01:36.860
29th, a vigil at the State Capitol on May 3rd. I think

01:01:36.869 --> 01:01:39.789
it was the first State Capitol vigil of this kind. And

01:01:39.800 --> 01:01:45.559
they lit the Capital up in red, in recognition of um

01:01:45.610 --> 01:01:49.989
the families and victims of um, missing and murdered

01:01:50.000 --> 01:01:52.510
indigenous people. So I wanted to acknowledge that

01:01:52.519 --> 01:01:55.829
we also had a lunch and learn presentation from Morning

01:01:55.840 --> 01:01:59.188
Star Deli. Who's the founder of Indigenous Justice. 

01:01:59.199 --> 01:02:02.579
And she presented on a number of issues including providing

01:02:02.590 --> 01:02:06.648
some historical context for um, 

01:02:06.648 --> 01:02:11.628
California Native American, um circumstances, as well

01:02:11.639 --> 01:02:15.340
as land back movements, MMIP. And also talked about

01:02:15.349 --> 01:02:18.378
Tribal consultation and some important key factors 

01:02:18.760 --> 01:02:22.579
in conducting consultation. And she also mentioned

01:02:22.590 --> 01:02:24.918
that there's going to be an MMIP event at San

01:02:24.929 --> 01:02:28.510
Francisco City Hall on June 2, for anyone that wants

01:02:28.519 --> 01:02:32.559
to participate in that. Um, I also want to note that

01:02:32.570 --> 01:02:37.300
um at the beginning of the month. I had the honor and

01:02:37.708 --> 01:02:42.050
privilege of participating in a rail safety visit down

01:02:42.059 --> 01:02:45.628
in the Tehachapi area and got to see the loop. Um, I

01:02:45.639 --> 01:02:50.260
joined Commissioner Douglas um, attended along with

01:02:50.269 --> 01:02:54.458
one of her advisors. My chief of staff, Karen Sung

01:02:54.469 --> 01:03:00.590
came with us. Deputy Director Pat Tsen and Roger Clugston led

01:03:00.599 --> 01:03:03.750
the visit with his team. I really wanted to thank them. 

01:03:03.760 --> 01:03:06.320
They gave us an amazing visit. We got to go out and

01:03:06.329 --> 01:03:09.360
see some of the things that they have to deal with

01:03:09.369 --> 01:03:12.449
on a daily basis.

01:03:12.449 --> 01:03:14.860
You know, examples of, you know, the trains are getting

01:03:14.869 --> 01:03:17.059
longer and longer. Some of them they pointed out are

01:03:17.070 --> 01:03:19.728
over three miles long. And when they get backed up

01:03:19.739 --> 01:03:23.478
across railways, it's often in rural low-income areas. 

01:03:23.489 --> 01:03:27.239
And creates environmental justice concerns when people

01:03:27.250 --> 01:03:30.744
can't cross those and they see people going under or

01:03:30.753 --> 01:03:33.614
over because it can be a significant amount of time. 

01:03:33.735 --> 01:03:36.063
That those trains are blocking what may be the only

01:03:36.074 --> 01:03:41.945
roadway across. So it was a really informative and

01:03:41.954 --> 01:03:46.284
educational visit to see all of the critical things

01:03:46.293 --> 01:03:48.994
that our Rail Division does every day. And how they

01:03:49.003 --> 01:03:52.449
are really

01:03:52.449 --> 01:03:55.099
the top notch team that are leading the way on Rail

01:03:55.110 --> 01:03:57.510
Safety and really know what they're doing. And I just

01:03:57.519 --> 01:04:00.378
want to commend them and thank them for the visit.

01:04:00.389 --> 01:04:03.829
And it was just absolutely amazing to see the, the

01:04:04.320 --> 01:04:07.878
Tehachapi loop and how that was constructed. And the work that

01:04:07.889 --> 01:04:11.010
must have occurred to get that done is amazing. So

01:04:11.070 --> 01:04:14.619
I would strongly encourage the other Commissioners

01:04:14.628 --> 01:04:17.648
that have not gone to take that to make the time to

01:04:17.659 --> 01:04:20.418
take that trip. It was great. And I just really want

01:04:20.429 --> 01:04:25.168
to thank um Roger and Pat again for having us out

01:04:25.179 --> 01:04:28.599
there. And um getting to see firsthand the amazing work

01:04:28.610 --> 01:04:34.188
that our, our team, our team does. Um, and then um I

01:04:34.199 --> 01:04:36.878
also just want to note the BEAD community engagement

01:04:36.889 --> 01:04:40.550
events are continuing and ongoing. Um, I was able to

01:04:40.559 --> 01:04:44.300
attend one in San Diego, uh last week in Sacramento. 

01:04:44.309 --> 01:04:47.708
I'll be in Los Angeles tomorrow and in Tulay on May

01:04:47.719 --> 01:04:50.958
30. Please go to our website and see the list of

01:04:50.969 --> 01:04:53.820
the remaining events, if you're interested and want

01:04:53.829 --> 01:04:57.750
more information. There's been a tremendous turnout. 

01:04:58.688 --> 01:05:02.860
It was over 100 people at the Sacramento event. And

01:05:02.869 --> 01:05:07.369
um we just had again, amazing turnout, lots of interest. 

01:05:07.378 --> 01:05:11.539
Um, and I just also want to thank and commend our, our

01:05:11.550 --> 01:05:14.918
Communications Division Staff for the great work that

01:05:14.929 --> 01:05:18.000
they're doing in partnership with California Department

01:05:18.010 --> 01:05:23.378
of Technology. Um, and just um how pleased I am to see

01:05:23.389 --> 01:05:28.820
these events being so successful. And then just last, 

01:05:28.829 --> 01:05:31.809
I want to note that, you know, last year CAISO set a

01:05:31.820 --> 01:05:35.119
record with 100% renewable power generation on the

01:05:35.128 --> 01:05:37.418
grid. Even though it was only for a short duration.

01:05:37.728 --> 01:05:40.570
But we expected to see those durations and frequency

01:05:40.579 --> 01:05:44.349
increase this year. On April 23, we again had a net

01:05:44.360 --> 01:05:47.510
negative demand where wind and solar generation exceeded

01:05:47.519 --> 01:05:51.619
100% of electric demand in California. And the duration

01:05:51.628 --> 01:05:54.849
was longer than last year. And again, I think we should

01:05:54.860 --> 01:05:57.809
expect to see these events continue in frequency and

01:05:57.820 --> 01:06:00.510
duration as we move closer to our clean energy goals. 

01:06:00.519 --> 01:06:03.699
And just wanted to acknowledge that. And with that, 

01:06:03.708 --> 01:06:06.780
I will turn it back over to you President Reynolds. 

01:06:06.780 --> 01:06:10.208
Great. Thank you. Uh Let's see. Commissioner Reynolds? 

01:06:10.219 --> 01:06:15.789
Do you wanna go next? Yes. Um I had occasion a couple

01:06:15.800 --> 01:06:19.610
of weeks ago to attend Stanford Energy Solutions Week. 

01:06:19.619 --> 01:06:23.550
Which brings together researchers in the sciences and

01:06:23.559 --> 01:06:26.829
engineering disciplines who are focused on energy related

01:06:26.840 --> 01:06:30.840
research. Primarily focused on um, moving from theory

01:06:30.849 --> 01:06:34.989
to experiment and from the experimental stage uh with

01:06:35.000 --> 01:06:40.579
an eye towards technologies. Um the research presented

01:06:40.590 --> 01:06:44.099
was was wide ranging and fascinating. It was exciting

01:06:44.110 --> 01:06:49.079
to see so many uh Science Engineering Researchers focused

01:06:49.090 --> 01:06:52.719
on climate mitigation. We've heard about things from

01:06:52.978 --> 01:06:57.789
uh, developing new algae. That have, uh easier

01:06:57.800 --> 01:07:03.418
to harvest biofuels to techniques to reduce and reverse

01:07:03.429 --> 01:07:06.760
the degradation of lithium ion batteries using heat. 

01:07:07.159 --> 01:07:10.128
All very exciting. And I, I hope that uh, we can see

01:07:10.139 --> 01:07:12.438
some of these technologies come to fruition in the

01:07:12.449 --> 01:07:16.648
future. And um, I will also just briefly note that I

01:07:17.010 --> 01:07:19.679
have heard that the, it's great to hear again. I have

01:07:19.688 --> 01:07:22.860
heard that the has to be uh real safety visit is a

01:07:22.869 --> 01:07:26.159
wonderful one. I look forward to hopefully uh scheduling

01:07:26.168 --> 01:07:30.789
a visit in the fall. Thank you. Great. Thank you, uh

01:07:30.800 --> 01:07:34.679
Commissioner Douglas? Thank you, President Reynolds.

01:07:34.688 --> 01:07:39.599
Um, I just briefly wanted to mention, first of all as

01:07:39.610 --> 01:07:45.070
Commissioner Houck noted. Um, she and I and uh some of

01:07:45.079 --> 01:07:49.159
our advisors took a really wonderful tour of the work

01:07:49.168 --> 01:07:53.958
of the Rail Safety Division in um, in the Bakersfield 

01:07:53.969 --> 01:07:59.019
area. And we went to Tehachapi Pass and it was so amazing

01:07:59.030 --> 01:08:03.110
to see just the level of really on the ground safety

01:08:03.119 --> 01:08:07.079
work. That the PUC does. And to have a chance to meet

01:08:07.090 --> 01:08:11.000
some of the Staff who oversee and do some of these

01:08:11.010 --> 01:08:16.338
inspections. And um, just uh it's a very large effort. 

01:08:16.350 --> 01:08:20.350
There are so, so, so many miles of track in the State

01:08:20.359 --> 01:08:24.100
of California and in the country. And they carry uh, 

01:08:24.390 --> 01:08:27.609
you know, obviously passengers but also cargo of all

01:08:27.619 --> 01:08:31.699
kinds. And it's really important to keep those operations

01:08:31.708 --> 01:08:37.699
running um safely. Uh, I had the opportunity also to

01:08:37.708 --> 01:08:41.119
speak at the conference of California Public Utility

01:08:41.128 --> 01:08:46.079
Council and that was in Santa Barbara. It was a nice

01:08:46.149 --> 01:08:51.378
event and a nice opportunity for me to get to see a

01:08:51.390 --> 01:08:55.390
lot of the practitioners who, who practice at the C

01:08:55.399 --> 01:09:01.588
CPUC. Um took part in two Energy Commission workshops. 

01:09:01.600 --> 01:09:08.140
As did I know a number of you? Um, the um workshop

01:09:08.149 --> 01:09:11.390
on Accelerating Clean Energy Interconnection to the

01:09:11.399 --> 01:09:16.229
bulk grid and the one on summer reliability. And uh

01:09:16.239 --> 01:09:21.208
also participated in a couple pre hearing conferences. 

01:09:21.220 --> 01:09:25.189
Um had the opportunity to participate or listen in

01:09:25.199 --> 01:09:28.708
on a couple of the lunch and learn events that I find

01:09:29.009 --> 01:09:33.119
quite valuable. I'm very much looking forward to this

01:09:33.128 --> 01:09:37.439
next month um as well for the lunch and learn event. 

01:09:37.449 --> 01:09:41.109
And I think I think I'll, I'll kind of stop it there.

01:09:41.119 --> 01:09:44.500
But um, thank you.

01:09:44.500 --> 01:09:47.750
Great. Thank you, Commissioner Douglas. Um, I do have

01:09:47.759 --> 01:09:51.458
a few items to report. Um, I want to start with um,

01:09:51.470 --> 01:09:54.810
providing a report on the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit

01:09:54.819 --> 01:09:58.500
that took place last week, May 8-10 in

01:09:58.509 --> 01:10:01.859
Sacramento. Um, I have the honor of making the keynote

01:10:01.869 --> 01:10:05.378
speech about the role of offshore wind in our State's

01:10:05.390 --> 01:10:08.259
planning. And how it fits into our procurement landscape

01:10:08.270 --> 01:10:12.048
and long term greenhouse gas reduction goals. There

01:10:12.060 --> 01:10:15.680
was really a lot of excitement around how California

01:10:15.689 --> 01:10:19.000
could become a global leader and a hub for offshore

01:10:19.009 --> 01:10:23.039
wind development. Including development of new technologies

01:10:23.048 --> 01:10:26.439
for floating offshore wind platforms. And there was

01:10:26.449 --> 01:10:30.029
a great attendance at the conference with hundreds

01:10:30.039 --> 01:10:34.859
of organizations, both local and uh, um individuals

01:10:34.869 --> 01:10:39.270
or groups that traveled from overseas. Um, it really

01:10:39.279 --> 01:10:42.520
was a recognition that offshore wind is becoming a

01:10:42.529 --> 01:10:45.869
very real part of our future in California. So it was

01:10:45.878 --> 01:10:50.189
an exciting summit. Um and then tomorrow, I will be

01:10:50.199 --> 01:10:53.699
speaking at the California Community Choice Association's

01:10:53.708 --> 01:10:57.180
Annual Conference called Powered By Community, and

01:10:57.189 --> 01:11:00.720
that's in San Diego. It's a 3 day event that features

01:11:00.729 --> 01:11:03.838
workshops on a variety of topics including state and

01:11:03.850 --> 01:11:06.838
federal funding opportunities, offshore winds, the

01:11:06.850 --> 01:11:10.430
role of hydrogen, infrastructure challenges and reliability 

01:11:10.439 --> 01:11:13.279
and affordability. So I'm looking forward to that event. 

01:11:13.779 --> 01:11:16.989
Um and then finally, I have some news that is very

01:11:17.000 --> 01:11:20.739
exciting for me, a new advisor on my Staff. Um, so it's

01:11:20.750 --> 01:11:23.060
wonderful news for me. Maybe not so wonderful for the

01:11:23.069 --> 01:11:26.628
Energy Division. I wanted to announce that uh, Nick

01:11:26.829 --> 01:11:30.229
Dahlberg, um who came from the Energy of Division. Joined

01:11:30.239 --> 01:11:34.739
my office as an Energy Advisor. Uh, Nick joined the

01:11:34.750 --> 01:11:39.970
CPUC's Energy Division in 2017 as an Analyst on the

01:11:39.979 --> 01:11:42.750
Resource Adequacy and Procurement Oversight team. And

01:11:42.759 --> 01:11:46.859
then in 2021 he joined the Retail Choice Team where

01:11:46.869 --> 01:11:50.509
he served as the Lead Analyst on the power charge in

01:11:50.520 --> 01:11:53.529
different adjustment proceeding. And he worked on a

01:11:53.539 --> 01:11:56.409
number of issues, other issues while the CPUC including

01:11:56.418 --> 01:11:59.479
resource adequacy compliance, retirement of coastal

01:11:59.489 --> 01:12:03.600
natural gas power generators, PTIA market price benchmark

01:12:03.640 --> 01:12:06.279
calculations, rules for community choice aggregation

01:12:06.289 --> 01:12:10.720
and others. So he has a broad range of experiences

01:12:10.729 --> 01:12:14.659
here at the CPUC. Prior to coming here to the Commission, 

01:12:14.668 --> 01:12:17.779
Nick worked for several years at the nonprofit Consortium

01:12:17.789 --> 01:12:21.279
for Energy Efficiency and briefly at the Demand Response

01:12:21.289 --> 01:12:26.560
firm uh Inner N. O. T. um or Innner Not. He holds a

01:12:26.569 --> 01:12:29.548
Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Policy 

01:12:29.560 --> 01:12:32.949
and Planning and Economics from Tufts University and

01:12:32.958 --> 01:12:36.199
a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Policy

01:12:36.208 --> 01:12:39.069
and International Relations from Boston University. 

01:12:39.509 --> 01:12:44.628
So uh, please join me in welcoming Nick. And that concludes

01:12:44.640 --> 01:12:49.159
my report. With that, that is the last item on our Agenda 

01:12:49.168 --> 01:12:53.310
today. And so it concludes the meeting. Uh, the public

01:12:53.319 --> 01:12:56.298
meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission

01:12:56.310 --> 01:13:02.100
is now adjourned. Thank you, everyone.

01:13:02.100 --> 01:13:04.029
And this concludes today's conference. Thank you for

01:13:04.039 --> 01:13:06.708
participating. You may disconnect at this time and

01:13:06.720 --> 01:13:06.779
have.