(a)
For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)
“Disadvantaged community” means a San Joaquin Valley
community that meets all of the following criteria:
(A)
At least 25 percent of residential households with electrical service are enrolled in the CARE program pursuant to Section 739.1.
(B)
Has a population greater than 100 persons within its geographic boundaries as identified by the most recent United States Census or a community survey.
(C)
Has geographic boundaries no farther than seven miles from the nearest natural gas pipeline operated by a gas corporation.
(2)
“San Joaquin Valley”
means the counties of Fresno,
Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus,
and Tulare.
(b)
No later than March 31, 2015, the
commission shall initiate a new proceeding to
do all of the following:
(1)
Identify disadvantaged communities based on the criteria specified in subdivision (a).
(2)
Analyze the economic feasibility of the following options:
(A)
Extending natural gas pipelines to those disadvantaged communities.
(B)
Increasing subsidies for electricity for residential customers in
those disadvantaged communities.
(C)
Other alternatives that would increase access to affordable energy in those disadvantaged communities that the commission deems appropriate.
(c)
The commission shall determine whether any of the options analyzed in the
proceeding would increase access to affordable energy in a cost-effective manner. For these options, the commission shall take appropriate action and determine appropriate funding sources.