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Lawmakers press agencies on data centers, electrification forecasts and protections for low‑income customers
Summary
Senators asked agencies how confident they are in long‑run load forecasts that project roughly 20 GW of future growth and how rate impacts will affect low‑income households; agencies said near‑term forecasts are most reliable, long‑run scenarios are uncertain, and CPUC is conducting a new low‑income needs assessment.
Committee members pressed agency witnesses about the drivers of long‑term load growth — data centers, electrifying buildings and vehicles — and how that growth will affect rates and vulnerable customers.
Senator Richardson asked about the basis for projected contributions from data centers (~4,700 MW) and electric vehicles (~8,200 MW) to the roughly 20,000 MW forecasted growth to 2045; agencies said the forecast uses application data, historical conversion rates and ramp timing and offered to provide best‑case/worst‑case scenarios. On affordability, CPI/CUPUC witnesses described programs targeted at low‑income customers (CARE and FERA) and said a new low‑income needs assessment (LENA) is underway to evaluate outreach and program effectiveness.
Lawmakers repeatedly urged agencies to clarify how resource choices, transmission investments and contingency programs will translate into rate outcomes for households — particularly the most vulnerable.
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