September 17, 2026 CPUC Voting Meeting Preview: Regional Markets, Google Data Center and PCIA

The CPUC on September 17 is expected to open a new rulemaking that will determine whether and how PG&E, SCE and SDG&E may participate in the regional electricity markets authorized by Assembly Bill 825. The Commission is also scheduled to decide whether pre-2019 banked Renewable Energy Credits should be valued at zero in calculating the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment.

Repeatedly postponed Draft Resolution E-5455 would approve PG&E’s agreement to energize Google’s 250-MW San Jose data center. Rather than defer network-cost treatment to the pending Rule 30 proceeding, the draft resolution would require Google to provide a fixed refundable advance of $600,000/MW, or as much as $150 million.

Other major items include new equity measurements for utility distribution planning, changes to overhead-line design standards and revised tribal policies. The CPUC also will consider gas-research spending, including whether gas ratepayers should fund hydrogen research.

One important correction to our September 3 CPUC voting meeting results summary: We incorrectly reported that the CPUC approved changes to SCE’s Fire-Threat Map. Commissioner Darcie Houck held that particular item until September 17 to allow further review. Our September 3 meeting summary and results page have been corrected.