CPUC Regulatory Oversight of PG&E Mobile App Pilot Effort
PG&E Safety Reporting Mobile App Pilot (Rulemaking A.19-07-019, PG&E Application for Approval of its Mobile Application and Supporting Systems Pilot)
PG&E Mobile App Pilot Full Functionality Available to All Within PG&E Electric Service Territory
PG&E customers residing outside of California Wildfire Threat Districts 2 and 3 (High and Very High risk), at this time must undertake an additional step of submitting a request to PG&E to receive an invitation before a new user may submit a report identifying a potential safety hazard involving electric infrastructure. The access request step can be facilitated via the Mobile App once downloaded and opened on a smartphone or tablet device.
Anyone with a smart phone, tablet, or computer can fully observe and monitor existing safety reports submitted via PG&E’s mobile app without the need to download the mobile app by clicking HERE.
Regulatory Oversight Process Supporting the Mobile App Pilot
The regulatory rulemaking process, staffed by SPD’s Risk Assessment section, was initiated on June 27, 2019 within Order Instituting Investigation I.19-06-015, which implicated electric utility responsibility in the 2017 Northern California Wildfires, and directed PG&E to "develop an open source, publicly available mobile app" to enable the public to capture and transmit GPS-geocoded photos of potentially hazardous electrical hardware to the utility.
PG&E responded with its pilot Application filed on July 29, 2019 seeking Commission approval within a Decision and proposing a limited-term pilot program to commence in 2020.
The CPUC acknowledged PG&E's application on November 14, 2019 within a Ruling and Scoping Memo that set forth a proceeding schedule to include public workshops.
PG&E’s limited pilot concept to undertake the mobile app safety reporting program was approved with modifications by the Commission on October 8, 2020 in Decision D.20-10-003.
PG&E formally launched its pilot program by making its mobile app publicly available August 6, 2021, in accordance with Commission requirements.
Consultant Evaluation Assessing Effectiveness and Value of PG&E Mobile App Pilot
At the Commission’s direction, PG&E retained an independent third-party evaluator to study and assess the merits of the mobile app and submit recommendations to enable the CPUC to make an informed determination about appropriate next steps.
A consultant Evaluation Final Report was made available November 6, 2023, with the attachments listed below.
PG&E, on September 29, 2023, filed a Straw Proposal describing various options it would like to pursue to move the Mobile App from Pilot to a permanent program status and to begin to recoup program costs.
A consultant evaluation draft report was made available July 3, 2023, within a Ruling by the assigned Administrative Law Judge.
The ALJ Ruling requested public comments and included several attachments to inform the evaluation process and PG&E’s reception to the consultant’s finding and recommendations.
- Evaluation Draft Report by Consultant on PG&E Mobile App Pilot
- Consultant Slides in Support of Evaluation Draft Report
- PG&E Response to Recommendations in Evaluation Draft Report
- PG&E Slides in Support of PG&E Response to Consultant Recommendations
Stakeholder Engagement Program
Workshop 2
On February 12, 2020, in response to PG&E's submission of a Pilot Implementation Plan, Safety Advisory Staff held public Workshop 2.
This workshop featured subject matter experts representing the California Department of Technology and Santa Clara University School of Law. Safety Advisory staff presented their conclusions and recommendations regarding PG&E's proposal.
Workshop 1
On December 3, 2019, Commission staff held public Workshop 1 to allow PG&E to present its proposal, and to have the electric utility offer a demonstration of a prototype mobile app program.
Additional Key Rulemaking Documents
Decision 20-10-003 DECISION APPROVING PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY’S MOBILE APPLICATION AND SUPPORTING SYSTEMS PILOT 10/08/2020
Decision 20-12-001 ORDER CORRECTING ERROR 12/02/2020
Decision 21-01-021 ORDER EXTENDING STATUTORY DEADLINE 01/14/2021