Accomplishments

PCF opposed the expanded operation of fossil-fueled coast power plants in the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Integrated Resource Plan proceeding and the Resource Adequacy proceeding. Spending resources on unneeded fossil infrastructure diverts critical funding away from the commonsense solutions of rooftop solar and batteries. Halting the reflexive expansion of the operating lives of obsolete and unreliable gas-fired coastal power plants, and the leaky and expensive Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, are core objectives of PCF. On June 30, 2021 the CPUC revised its ordered procurement of polluting energy resources and instead selected exclusively renewables due, in part, to PCF’s advocacy opposing polluting generators.

PCF led a petition for writ review in the California Supreme Court to challenge $600+ million in unneeded new SDG&E natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Work began on this project without CEQA review and without issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Although the Supreme Court declined to accept the petition, the PCF-led efforts empowered the PUC’s Public Advocates Office, who challenged a CPUC decision in court for the first time in its history.

PCF advocated in multiple CPUC proceedings against attacks on rooftop solar and batteries by the for-profit utilities and their allies. In the CPUC’s 2021-2022 Net Energy Metering proceeding, PCF pinpointed the failure of the PUC to credit rooftop solar with reducing the need for new transmission, distribution, and generation. The CPUC’s inaccurate accounting caused of undervaluing the rooftop resource. PCF’s ongoing objective in these interventions is the continued expansion of rooftop solar and batteries in California, which reduces costs for all ratepayers by eliminating billions in electricity delivery infrastructure costs.