The Electric Program Investment Charge Proposed 2021–2025 Investment Plan: EPIC 4 Investment Plan

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has prepared this proposed investment plan (2022–2025) for the Electric Program Investment Charge Program (EPIC) in response to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision 12-05-037 (modified). That decision established EPIC to fund electric public-interest investments to benefit the electricity-ratepayers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric Company. This proposed plan is consistent with CPUC Decision 13-11-025 and continues implementing the requirements established by Senate Bill 96 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 356, Statutes of 2013).

On September 2, 2020, the CPUC renewed EPIC for an additional 10 years (January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2030) in Decision 20-08-042 of Rulemaking 19-10-005. In that decision, the CPUC approved the CEC as an EPIC administrator with an annual budget of $148 million for the first five years and ordered the investor-owned utilities to collect funds for the renewed EPIC starting January 1, 2021. The CEC must file an investment plan to the CPUC to cover the period of January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2025 (EPIC 4). On July 15, 2021, the CPUC approved the CEC’s EPIC Interim Investment Plan 2021 (Appendix C) for the first year of EPIC 4 funding. This EPIC 4 Investment Plan covers the remaining years.

Staff developed this proposed EPIC 4 Investment Plan through an open process that involved 12 public events as well as consultation with stakeholder groups, the CPUC, and other agencies. Input from these stakeholders and CPUC-CEC Commissioner discussion is reflected in the recommended strategic objectives, initiatives, and research and development topics.

The CPUC will conduct a formal proceeding to consider this proposed plan with anticipated adoption in the spring of 2022.