The California Public Utilities Commission on June 11 adopted a new Community Renewable Energy tariff in a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Hauke dissenting over funding and the program design.
According to the meeting summary, the tariff was approved under the California Shared Renewables Portfolio and is intended to expand community solar access for renters, businesses and low-income customers. President Reynolds said the program would be structured to avoid cost shifts to non-participating ratepayers. The summary also says the program will require 51% of subscribers to be low-income and will rely on existing tariff structures to keep costs within avoided-cost limits.
Hauke voted no, citing concerns about funding, the use of the renewable market adjusting tariff and pending legislative changes, the summary says.
The commission’s action came during a voting meeting that also drew extensive public comment, much of it focused on defending copper landlines and opposing AT&T’s efforts to end carrier-of-last-resort obligations. The same meeting summary says commenters cited 911 access, medical needs, wildfire resilience, seniors and wireless-sensitivity concerns.
The summary does not include the full adopted tariff text or a detailed implementation timeline. It says the commission’s June 11 action should be followed by review of the decision text and any attached resolution for program rules, rates and timelines.