Utility Bankruptcy Exit Plan to Cost $58 Billion
PG&E told the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that its plan to exit bankruptcy and pay victims of fires its power lines caused would cost $57.65 billion.
Commission Approves Significant Increase to PCIA
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved an increase to the exit fees that community choice aggregators (CCA) must pay to leave PG&E
Commission Proposes a Path for Utility Takeover
While PG&E is continuing on its path to emerge from bankruptcy, California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) President Marybel Batjer outlined a proposed process on February 18 as to how the State could revoke the utility’s operating license if the utility again commits serious safety violations without adequately addressing them.
Muratsuchi Seeks to Shutter OTC Plants, Against CPUC Proposal to Extend Operating Permits
On February 4, 2020, California State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi proposed a bill to shutter the five, once-through cooling (OTC) plants that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently recommended for permit extensions. These plants, which use ocean water for cooling, are currently slated for decommissioning by the end of 2020.
50-Mile Gas Pipeline Replacement Approved, $677 Million Cost to be Reviewed
On February 6, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the replacement of Line 1600, a 50-mile natural gas pipeline, but also approved a review of the replacement cost – $677 million.
SONGS 8-10 Year Demolition to Begin in February
Nearly eight years after the emergency shut-down at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) due to a faulty boiler and the release of radioactive gas, demolition of the facility is scheduled to begin on February 22, 2020, according to a notice issued by Southern California Edison (SCE) this week.
CPUC Initiates Update of Natural Gas Reliability and Long-Term Planning
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5-0 this week to initiate a rulemaking to update its natural gas reliability and long-term planning. The goal is to revamp the current planning process to ensure gas systems are safe and reliable as California seeks to end its use of fossil fuels.
Creditors Group Offers All-Cash Deal in New Proposal to PG&E Victims
In an attempt to salvage their bid to take control of PG&E, a group of creditors led by Elliott Management Corporation (Elliott) and Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) said late Friday that they would commit to addressing Governor Newsom’s concerns with PG&E, including the formation of a new board and making provisions for the option of a state takeover.
Newsom Reaffirms Opposition to PG&E Plan; Court Ignores Governor’s Views
Following his letter from last week, Governor Newsom on Monday submitted a filing before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Dennis Montali in which he said that PG&E’s reorganization ignored his concerns and offered a restructuring plan that is, “more about creating an illusion of momentum,” than a true reorganization plan.
Newsom Rejects $13.5 Billion Wildfire Settlement
In a surprise move late Friday, Governor Newsom rejected PG&E’s plan to pay Northern California wildfire victims and exit bankruptcy.
SoCal Gas’ Natural Gas Inventory Same as Last Year
A recent U.S. Energy Information Administration report found that the SoCal Gas’ natural gas inventory totaled 74.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf), which is nearly identical to levels last winter, and almost 10% higher than in 2017.
Newsom Meets with Mayors to Explore Turning PG&E into a Co-Op
Governor Newsom reiterated this week that he wants to speed up the PG&E bankruptcy case so the company can be restructured in time for next year's wildfire season.
PSPS Politically Messy for Newsom
Governor Newsom was stuck between a rock and a hard place this week with Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) impacting all three major utilities.
Tubbs Fire Trial Set for January 2020
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Teri Jackson said this week that the upcoming trial regarding PG&E’s role in the 2017 Tubbs Fire is set to last eight weeks and will likely have one jury weighing all the issues involved in the proceedings.
CPUC/DOGGR: Update on the SoCal Gas Pipeline Work
Capacity on the SoCal Gas lines is expected to drop for the foreseeable future. This week SoCal Gas is expected to start working on Line 4000 which extends from East of Barstow to Cajon. The company plans for the line to be out of commission for two months as it makes repairs. Based on the time it is taking to make other repairs, it looks like it may take longer than scheduled. SoCal Gas has pushed back the estimated return-to-service date for Line 235-2 yet again. The line which runs approximately 50 miles between Victorville to east of Barstow, ruptured [...]
GovOps Secretary Marybel Batjer Appointed CPUC President
Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced the appointment of Marybel Batjer to serve as president of the California Public Utilities Commission. Batjer will first conclude her work this month leading the DMV Strike Team effort which the governor appointed her upon taking office. Batjer was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve as the first secretary of the Government Operations Agency in 2013 that was organized to include the California Technology Agency, now called the California Department of Technology. She also served as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's first cabinet secretary from 2003 to 2004 and was chief of staff to Nevada [...]
DOGGR/CPUC: SoCal Gas Pipeline Woes Continue
This week, SoCal Gas announced that it would take longer to reopen one of its gas lines. Line 235-2, which runs approximately 50 miles between Victorville to east of Barstow, ruptured on October 1, 2017 and has been closed ever since. The pipeline is a 1957 vintage and appeared close to reopening. However, additional leaks were found recently, delaying the reopening of the gas line to late July at the earliest. This is not the only gas line facing problems. Two other gas lines, Line 3000 and Line 4000, have had reduced capacity for over a year now. SoCal Gas [...]
De-Energization of Powerlines During Dangerous Weather Conditions Approved
With the support from Governor Newsom and the Legislature, the CPUC this month (5/30/2019) approved allowing utilities to cut off electricity to possibly hundreds of thousands of customers to avoid catastrophic wildfires like the one sparked by power lines last year that killed 85 people and largely destroyed the city of Paradise.