R. 13-11-005
The Proposed Decision approves several initiatives designed to produce emergency peak demand (during 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) and/or net peak (during 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) demand reductions through energy efficiency actions by the summers of 2022 and 2023.
The Decision approves $185 million in incremental energy efficiency budgets for program years 2022 and 2023, while also allowing shifting of energy efficiency funds previously allocated to address summer reliability objectives.
Specifically, the decision authorizes the following new or augmented initiatives:
- A new, two-year Market Access program funded at $150 million statewide, to deliver peak and/or net peak demand savings using the normalized metered energy consumption method of measuring energy and peak demand savings in residential and commercial buildings.
- An additional $30 million statewide for third-party solicitations designed to produce peak and/or net peak demand savings.
- Authorization for Marin Clean Energy to shift funds to enhance their Peak FLEX market program, on which the Market Access program described above is based.
- $5 million in additional funding for the Tri-County Regional Energy Network to expand their existing Energy Assurance Program to additional counties.
- Authorization to all energy efficiency program administrators to shift funds to reliability-focused programs with notice to the Commission and stakeholders through an advice letter.
The decision also makes several process changes designed to expedite the delivery of programs that will produce peak demand savings. These include:
- Allowing single-stage solicitations to third parties for reliability-focused initiatives and programs; and
- Streamlining and expediting Commission staff review of custom projects and workpapers with summer reliability benefits.
