Bill > SB618

This bill requires electrical corporations to file detailed reports after deenergization events (planned power shutoffs typically done for wildfire prevention) and establishes new accountability measures. Specifically, the bill mandates that electrical corporations submit a post-event report to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) detailing the duration of the power shutdown, affected circuits, number of impacted customers, and the economic cost of the service interruption. The CPUC will develop a standardized methodology for calculating customer interruption costs. If the CPUC determines that an electrical corporation violated deenergization protocols or rules during an event, it can assess fines, and any revenues from those fines must be directed back to affected customers as credits. The bill also requires local publicly owned electric utilities to include procedures in their wildfire mitigation plans for compensating customers impacted by power shutoffs. Importantly, any fines assessed must be paid by the electrical corporation's shareholders, not ratepayers, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on consumers. This legislation aims to increase transparency, provide financial protection for customers, and create stronger accountability for electrical corporations during emergency power shutdowns.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB618