"A notable aspect of this program is the link between cost avoidance and investment, and this is what we and stakeholders have been discussing more on a theoretical level. But here we aim to achieve that goal, which has been really elusive in the past, and so I really appreciate that direct connection."
"Another area that we'll be exploring is how community partners can contribute to neighborhood acceptance and successful implementation. This decision does rely on an expression of local support as well as other factors in identifying initial neighborhood decarbonization zones, and that local support will be really essential as the pilots move forward, especially in disadvantaged communities."
Commissioner John Reynolds
"Electrification and decarbonization projects are complex undertakings that require balancing the needs of many stakeholders, and we have a lot of work ahead to unlock a higher degree of electrification and decarbonization."
"These pilots are an essential step toward addressing a looming problem with the gas system. As customers electrify and stop paying for shared gas infrastructure, fixed costs can be shifted onto remaining customers, who may tend to be lower income, driving their rates up."
"This proposal also sets out a strategy for engagement with the disadvantaged and low-income communities that are part of the 30 projects identified in SB 1221. The proposal specifically directed utilities to solicit feedback from community partners and members of the public...including feedback on SB 1221: diversity and equity consideration, local environmental hazards, and community barriers to accessing decarbonization. These are laudable requirements. They promote electrification and decarbonization efforts that partner with communities instead of dictating to them."
Commissioner Darcie Houck
"There are several other factors involved in determining the outcomes of these projects, other than gas pipelines and appliances to be replaced. For example, recently, we saw that PG&E withdrew from its proposal for a zonal decarbonization project at CSU Monterey Bay, so we want to make sure that we have the right information here to make sure that these projects are successful going forward."
"In addition, many low-income customers in rural areas and on tribal lands may have unreliable electric service being located on some of the state's worst performing electrical circuits. And these customers may lack resources to individually deal with the consequences of outages, and they regularly face longer outages than other customers, and that's the kind of information we're going to want to receive."
"Given the complexity of these projects and the high stakes for communities, it's critical that the decision designate zones that can result in real-world implementation of projects. I'm very supportive of the PD's direction to the utilities to conduct further community outreach, and the proposed decision's commitment to then update the initial list of decarbonization zones. This will be especially important so that we can meet the statutory requirement to consider the presence of disadvantaged or low-income communities and high (or low) temperature climate zones that disproportionately lack cooling or heating through this, and the requirement to consider the presence of environmental and social justice communities. I'm hoping that many of the projects will benefit communities that have historically experienced under-investment."
"Last, I want to note that this work complements other commission work being done in regards to community engagement and outreach, including through energy efficiency, Building Decarbonization, grid planning, and I hope that the utilities will be able to integrate what they learn here into these other complementary areas. "
Commissioner Matthew Baker
"...this is only the first step, it's not the last step. And the retail natural gas system remains a critical energy source. You know, it does have a carbon problem – which we do have to deal with – but the implementation, implementation details really, really matter."