Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and distributed generation on-bill repayment programs.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations, as defined. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility, and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. This bill would require the commission to require an electrical corporation and gas corporation with 100,000 or more service connections in the state to develop and implement an on-bill repayment program, as defined, for eligible energy efficiency, renewable energy, and distributed generation investments, financed pursuant to an agreement with an OBR partner, as defined, on terms that the commission approves and ensures that the terms are just and reasonable. The bill would require the commission ensure that any on-bill repayment program approved by the commission include certain elements. The bill would authorize the commission to require an electrical corporation or gas corporation to treat any resulting shortfall in payment for electric or gas service consistent with the rules established by the commission for a customer's failure to pay for electric or gas service. The bill would authorize the commission to order an electrical corporation or gas corporation with less than 100,000 service connections in the state to establish on-bill repayment programs based upon each utility's individual circumstances. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the provisions of this bill would require action by the commission to implement its requirements, a violation of the commission's orders would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.