CPUC workshop explores "pending loads" proposals as utilities, CEC, advocates debate how to plan for fast-changing electrification demand

The California Public Utilities Commission convened a stakeholder workshop on Oct. 12 to develop a new "pending loads" planning category meant to help utilities anticipate midterm demand from transportation electrification, data centers and other rapidly emerging load types.

The workshop, hosted by CPUC staff and led in opening remarks by Commissioner Darcy Hoch, focused on how pending loads — estimates that sit between formal customer applications and top‑down forecasts — should be defined, evidenced, reconciled with the California Energy Commission's Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) and used in distribution planning and General Rate Case (GRC) funding requests. "The goal of developing the pending loads category is to better enable planning for these types of loads to increase utility awareness of where loads will likely appear and to allow customers and utilities to better plan for these loads in advance to timely meet customer needs," Commissioner Darcy Hoch said.

Why it matters: Utilities say faster, concentrated growth from EV charging depots, freight electrification and large tech loads is stressing a process designed for slower, more diffuse growth. Without intermediate signals, planners jump from a system wide IEPR allocation to discrete customer applications, a gap utilities say causes long energization lead times and late upgrades. Advocates and staff pushed for guardrails so pending loads do not drive unnecessary, rate‑funded upgrades if projects do not materialize.

CEC context and data: Quentin Gee, manager of advanced electrification analysis at the California Energy Commission, described the IEPR process and how the CEC treats transportation electrification as a load modifier rather than a simple, direct addition. He said the CEC and utilities coordinate in working groups and that the next IEPR adoption is expected in January…