Calif. Gov Signs Bill Increasing Direct Access (Retail Choice) Cap

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed SB 237, which increases the amount of the state's electricity direct access cap

SB 237 requires the California PUC to increase the maximum allowable total kilowatt-hours direct access annual limit by 4,000 gigawatt-hours and apportion that increase among the service territories of the electrical corporations.

SB 237 further provides that all residential and non-residential customer accounts that are on direct access as of January 1, 2019, remain authorized to participate in direct transactions.

SB 237 further requires that on or before June 1, 2020, the PUC shall provide recommendations to the Legislature on implementing a further direct transactions reopening schedule, including, but not limited to, the phase-in period over which the further direct transactions shall occur for all remaining non-residential customer accounts in each electrical corporation’s service territory.

In developing the recommendations pursuant, the Commission shall find all of the following:

(A) The recommendations are consistent with the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

(B) The recommendations do not increase criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants.

(C) The recommendations ensure electric system reliability.

(D) The recommendations do not cause undue shifting of costs to bundled service customers of an electrical corporation or to direct transaction customers.