Pub. Util. Code, § 451.9

(a) Notwithstanding Section 451, a gas corporation may cease providing service in an area within its service territory where a pilot project has been implemented pursuant to Section 663 if the commission determines that adequate substitute energy service is reasonably available to support the energy end uses of affected gas corporation customers.

(b) (1) In determining what constitutes adequate substitute energy service and when the substitute energy service is reasonably available, the commission shall adopt guidelines necessary to ensure that the rates for substitute energy service are just and reasonable as provided by a load-serving entity as the provider of last resort pursuant to Section 387.

(2) The commission may authorize a gas corporation to recover the undepreciated costs of any gas plant or asset, including the cost to retire the gas plant or asset that will no longer be used and useful. The commission shall determine the just and reasonable recovery of undepreciated costs, including the period over which the undepreciated costs are recovered so as to minimize impacts to remaining gas distribution system customers.

(c) This section does not modify the authority of the commission to determine adequate, efficient, just, and reasonable service.

(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), this section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not affect the termination of a gas corporation’s obligation to provide service that is authorized under this section on or before January 1, 2031.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not affect the authority of the commission under this section to relieve a gas corporation of its obligation to provide service within the approved boundary of a pilot project approved pursuant to Section 663 that is pending as of January 1, 2031.