Code Section Group

Water Code - WAT

DIVISION 27. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ELECTRIC POWER [80000 - 80270]

  ( Division 27 added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. )

CHAPTER 2. Power Program [80100 - 80122]

  ( Chapter 2 added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. )

ARTICLE 1. Powers of the Department [80100 - 80122]
  ( Article 1 added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. )

80100.
  

Upon those terms, limitations, and conditions as it prescribes, the department may contract with any person, local publicly owned electric utility, or other entity for the purchase of power on such terms and for such periods as the department determines and at such prices the department deems appropriate taking into account all of the following:

(a) The intent of the program described in this division is to achieve an overall portfolio of contracts for energy resulting in reliable service at the lowest possible price per kilowatthour.

(b) The need to have contract supplies to fit each aspect of the overall energy load profile.

(c) The desire to secure as much low-cost power as possible under contract.

(d) The duration and timing of contracts made available from sellers.

(e) The length of time sellers of electricity offer to sell such electricity.

(f) The desire to secure as much firm and nonfirm renewable energy as possible. Prior to commencement of the program described in this division, the department shall assess the need for power in the state in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission and local publicly owned electric utilities and electrical corporations in the state and such other entities in the state as the department determines are appropriate. The department may also enter into options or forward contracts with respect to the foregoing, and contract with any person, local publicly owned electric utility, or other entity for transmission, scheduling, and other related power services necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this division.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80102.
  

(a) Contracts under this division may provide for the assignment thereof on any terms and conditions as the contracts may specify.

(b) Any contract for the purchase or sale of electric power shall contain any contractual terms and security provisions as are determined by the department to be necessary or appropriate and the department may enter into such arrangements as may be necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may pay or provide for the payment of power or use of transmission or distribution facilities and other related services prior to the delivery or utilization thereof, provided that the department determines that prepayment is beneficial to ratepayers and that adequate provision has been made for the security of the department.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80104.
  

Upon the delivery of power to them, the retail end use customers shall be deemed to have purchased that power from the department. Payment for any sale shall be a direct obligation of the retail end use customer to the department.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80106.
  

(a) The department may contract with the related electrical corporation or its successor in the performance of related service, for the electrical corporation or its successor in the performance of related service, to transmit or provide for the transmission of, and distribute all power made available by the department, and, as agent of the department, provide billing, collection, and other related services on terms and conditions that reasonably compensate the electrical corporation for its services, and adequately secure payment to the department.

(b) At the request of the department, the commission shall order the related electrical corporation or its successor in the performance of related service, to transmit or provide for the transmission of, and distribute all power made available by the department, and, as agent of the department, provide billing, collection, and other related services on terms and conditions that reasonably compensate the electrical corporation for its services, and adequately secure payment to the department.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 9, Sec. 3. Effective August 13, 2001.)

80108.
  

The commission may issue rules regulating the enforcement of the agency function pursuant this division, including collection and payment to the department.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80110.
  

(a) The department shall retain title to all electricity sold by it to the retail end-use customers. The department shall be entitled to recover, as a revenue requirement, amounts and at the times necessary to enable it to comply with Section 80134, and shall advise the commission as the department determines to be appropriate.

(b) The revenue requirements may also include any advances made to the department hereunder or hereafter for purposes of this division, or from the Department of Water Resources Electric Power Fund, and General Fund moneys expended by the department pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation dated January 17, 2001.

(c) (1) For the purposes of this division and except as otherwise provided in this section, the Public Utility Commission’s authority as set forth in Section 451 of the Public Utilities Code shall apply, except any just and reasonable review under Section 451 shall be conducted and determined by the department. Prior to the execution of any modification of any contract for the purchase of electricity by the department pursuant to this division, on or after the effective date of this section, the department or the commission, as applicable, shall do the following:

(A) The department shall notify the public of its intent to modify a contract and the opportunity to comment on the proposed modification.

(B) At least 21 days after providing public notice, the department shall make a determination as to whether the proposed modifications are just and reasonable. The determination shall include responses to any public comments.

(C) No later than 70 days before the date of execution of the contract modification, the department shall provide a written report to the commission setting forth the justification for the determination that the proposed modification is just and reasonable, including documents, analysis, response to public comments, and other information relating to the determination.

(D) Within 60 days of the date of receipt of the department’s written report, the commission shall review the report and make public its comments. If the commission in its comments recommends against the proposed modification, the department shall not execute the proposed contract modification.

(2) This subdivision does not apply to the modification of a contract modified to settle litigation to which the commission is a party.

(3) This subdivision does not apply to the modification of a contract for the purchase of electricity that is generated from a facility owned by a public agency if the contract requires the public agency to sell electricity to the department at or below the public agency’s cost of that electricity.

(4) This subdivision does not apply to the modification of a contract to address issues relating to billing, scheduling, delivery of electricity, and related contract matters arising out of the implementation by the Independent System Operator of its market redesign and technology upgrade program.

(5) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, the department proposes to “modify” a contract if there is any material change proposed in the terms of the contract.

(B) A change to a contract is not material if it is only administrative in nature or the change in ratepayer value results in ratepayer savings, not to exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) per year. For the purpose of making a determination that a change is only administrative in nature or results in ratepayer savings of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) or less per year, the executive director of the commission shall concur in writing with each of those determinations by the department.

(d) The commission may enter into an agreement with the department with respect to charges under Section 451 for purposes of this division, and that agreement shall have the force and effect of a financing order adopted in accordance with Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 840) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, as determined by the commission.

(e) The department shall have the same rights with respect to the payment by retail end-use customers for electricity sold by the department as do providers of electricity to the customers.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 337, Sec. 9. (SB 695) Effective October 11, 2009.)

80112.
  

All money collected with respect to any power acquired and sold pursuant to this division and the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation dated January 17, 2001, and all money paid directly or indirectly to or for the account of the department with respect to any sale, exchange, transfer, or disposition of power acquired pursuant hereto, shall constitute property of the department and shall be deposited in the fund in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 80200. To the extent any moneys are received by an electrical corporation pursuant to Section 80106 in the process of collection, and pending their transfer to the department, they shall be segregated by the electrical corporation on terms and conditions established by the department and shall be held in trust for the benefit of the department.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80116.
  

The department may sell any power acquired by the department pursuant to this division to retail end use customers, and to local publicly owned electric utilities, at not more than the department’s acquisition costs, including transmission, scheduling, and other related costs, plus other costs as provided in Section 80200, or exchange power with any person or public or private entity. The department may not sell power to any local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 9604 of the Public Utilities Code, which is itself a net seller of power. However, to the extent that any acquired power is not required for use within the state, if it is otherwise advantageous and necessary, the power may be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, or an option may be granted with respect to the power, to any person or public or private entity. Except to maintain system integrity, the department shall sell the power that is to be delivered to retail end use customers within the service area of the electrical corporations that purchase power from the electrical corporations directly to the retail end use customers.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80120.
  

The department may fix and establish the procedure and charges for the sale or other disposal of power purchased by the department.

(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 4. Effective February 1, 2001.)

80122.
  

The department may do any of the following as may be, in the determination of the department, necessary for the purposes of this division:

(a) Hire and appoint employees as required, at salary levels determined by the director to be competitive to attract and retain persons with the necessary expertise and skills. Prior to hiring or appointing an employee at a salary in excess of a salary approved by the Department of Human Resources, the director shall submit the proposed salary to the Director of Finance who shall submit it to the Legislature in accordance with Section 27.00 of the annual Budget Act. No excess salary authorized under this section may be paid on or after January 1, 2003. The excess portion of a salary authorized under this section may not be considered salary in the calculation of final compensation for purposes of benefits under the Public Employees’ Retirement System.

(b) Engage the services of private parties to render professional and technical assistance and advice and other services in carrying out the purposes of this division.

(c) Contract for the services of other public agencies.

(d) The State Personnel Board and the Department of Human Resources shall assist the department in expediting the hiring of personnel necessary and desirable for the timely and successful implementation and administration of the department’s duties and responsibilities pursuant to this division.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 665, Sec. 191. (SB 1308) Effective January 1, 2013.)

WATWater Code - WAT1.