Public utilities: electrical corporations: energization.

Assembly Member Wilson's proposal to streamline California's electrical service connections would establish new requirements for how utilities process and communicate about energization applications. The legislation directs the Public Utilities Commission to require large electrical corporations to publish detailed application requirements, provide example applications, and maintain clear timelines for reviewing customer requests to connect power service.

Under the measure, utilities must notify applicants whether their submission is complete within timeframes set by the Commission. When applications are incomplete, utilities must provide specific guidance on missing elements and allow customers to address only those identified items. The bill requires utilities to immediately notify applicants of approvals via email and website postings, while also creating an appeals process for denied applications.

The legislation builds upon the Powering Up Californians Act, which directed the Commission to establish target timeframes for energizing new connections by September 2024. While utilities and applicants may mutually agree to extend processing periods, the bill prohibits utilities from requiring such extensions as a condition of accepting applications, except when needed to coordinate related approvals. Violations of these requirements would constitute criminal offenses under the Public Utilities Act.