The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has introduced a new pilot program aimed at fully electrifying selected mobilehome parks throughout the state. The initiative was approved during the CPUC’s November 20 voting meeting.
Under this pilot, investor-owned utilities will collaborate with the California Energy Commission’s Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) program. The EBD program is designed to provide and install energy efficiency measures, electric appliances, and necessary upgrades at little or no cost to participating residents. As part of the process, participants will also be enrolled in the CPUC’s Mobilehome Park Utility Conversion Program, which transitions submetered electrical systems to direct-metered, utility-owned systems.
According to the CPUC, “This electrification pilot initiative…will help the CPUC better understand technical, legal, and policy concerns related to mobilehome park electrification and to inform potential changes to the Mobilehome Park Utility Conversion Program.”
The commission began this effort by evaluating its original Mobilehome Park Pilot Program established in 2014. That initial program encouraged conversions from master-metered natural gas and electric systems to direct utility service. Based on positive evaluations of that effort, the current 10-year Mobilehome Park Utility Conversion Program was created for 2021 through 2030.
The newly launched electrification pilot is intended to further support California’s broader decarbonization and equity objectives.
The CPUC oversees services and utilities in California, aiming to protect consumers while ensuring access to safe and reliable infrastructure across the state. More information about its programs can be found at www.cpuc.ca.gov.
