The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held its second quarterly Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA) workshop on July 2, 2025, aimed at enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of utility ICA maps. Audrey Newman, energy advisor and interim deputy chief of staff to Commissioner Hough, opened the meeting, noting that Commissioner Hough was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.

Newman highlighted the significance of the ICA, which quantifies the maximum power that can be injected into or drawn from the distribution system with minimal operational restrictions. This tool is crucial for supporting a future with high distributed energy resources (DER), providing transparency for developers and customers alike. However, she acknowledged that improvements are necessary to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of these tools.

The workshop followed up on discussions from the previous quarterly meeting, where utilities presented their progress in addressing challenges, particularly inaccuracies in their ICA maps. Newman emphasized that these workshops are designed not just for reporting but for facilitating direct communication between utilities and stakeholders. She expressed the importance of utilities being prepared to respond to stakeholder inquiries, which is essential for constructive collaboration.

Stakeholder feedback from this workshop is expected to inform utilities' remediation plans, furthering California's clean energy and transportation goals. Newman thanked the energy division staff and the utilities for their contributions, underscoring the value of in-person discussions in addressing these critical topics. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing engagement and improvement in the ICA process, ensuring that it meets the needs of all parties involved.