Electricity: load shifting: distributed resources.

Senators Becker and Stern propose comprehensive reforms to California's electrical grid management, establishing new requirements for load shifting and distributed resource integration to optimize existing infrastructure capacity. The Energy Commission must analyze and publish detailed assessments of load-shifting potential and achievements for each retail supplier, while developing cost-effectiveness metrics for various flexibility programs starting in 2027.

The legislation directs the Public Utilities Commission to create a strategy by 2028 that reduces needed distribution infrastructure investments by leveraging distributed resources and load shifting. Large electrical corporations must provide public data on grid capacity utilization and constrained areas, while implementing programs to develop load-shifting capabilities where distribution constraints exist. The bill enables utilities to establish tariffs and fee structures to finance load-shifting capacity acquisition, particularly to accommodate new large loads seeking connection.

To ensure coordination between local and system-wide planning, the measure requires large electrical corporations to share distribution planning data with the Energy Commission. The bill maintains existing consumer privacy protections while opening participation to all customer classes. According to legislative findings, the state's electrical grid currently operates at only 46 percent of peak capacity on average, suggesting substantial opportunity for more efficient infrastructure utilization through strategic load management.