Section 783.5 Of Article 3. Equipment, Practices, And Facilities From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 3.
783.5
. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the following meanings:
(1) "Disadvantaged community" means a San Joaquin Valley community
that meets all of the following criteria:
(A) At least 25 percent of residential households with electrical
service are enrolled in the CARE program pursuant to Section 739.1.
(B) Has a population greater than 100 persons within its
geographic boundaries as identified by the most recent United States
Census or a community survey.
(C) Has geographic boundaries no farther than seven miles from the
nearest natural gas pipeline operated by a gas corporation.
(2) "San Joaquin Valley" means the counties of Fresno, Kern,
Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare.
(b) No later than March 31, 2015, the commission shall initiate a
new proceeding to do all of the following:
(1) Identify disadvantaged communities based on the criteria
specified in subdivision (a).
(2) Analyze the economic feasibility of the following options:
(A) Extending natural gas pipelines to those disadvantaged
communities.
(B) Increasing subsidies for electricity for residential customers
in those disadvantaged communities.
(C) Other alternatives that would increase access to affordable
energy in those disadvantaged communities that the commission deems
appropriate.
(c) The commission shall determine whether any of the options
analyzed in the proceeding would increase access to affordable energy
in a cost-effective manner. For these options, the commission shall
take appropriate action and determine appropriate funding sources.