Tentative decision on Rule 20 undergrounding program to be considered at upcoming CPUC hearing

 

The program provides guidelines and procedures for undergrounding overhead electric facilities such as electric distribution lines. Cal Cities, as a party of the Rule 20 proceeding, submitted comments outlining concerns with the decision.
 
The tentative decision includes significant changes to the Rule 20 program that would impact cities: 

• CPUC would not sunset the Rule 20A program. However, cities will cease to receive work credits through the program on Dec 31, 2022.
• CPUC would prohibit cities from borrowing, selling, or trading work credits from other jurisdictions immediately, unless a county wants to redistribute its work credits to cities within its jurisdiction or if neighboring cities want to pool credits for a common project.
• CPUC will continue to deliberate on whether to make changes to project eligibility criteria for Rule 20A in Phase Two of the proceeding. 

As many cities currently have insufficient work credits to carry out Rule 20A undergrounding projects, the decision to cease allocating new work credits beyond 2022 and prohibiting citiesfrom borrowing, selling, or trading credits fundamentally undermines cities' ability to conduct new undergrounding projects using the Rule 20A program.
 
How to Engage
 
Cal Cities is encouraging cities to provide public comment urging against these changes to the Rule 20 program. The tentative decision will be reviewed and voted on May 20, CPUC business meeting beginning at 10 a.m. View the agenda for this meeting, along with information about how to provide public comment. The tentative decision is item number 24 on the agenda.