Senate Bill 24-218 Summary

• Establishes requirements for investor-owned utilities serving 500,000+ customers to modernize electrical distribution systems to support decarbonization goals, transportation electrification, and affordable housing through distribution system planning and a grid modernization adjustment clause for cost recovery.

• Creates a lineworker apprenticeship grant program administered by the Office of Future of Work with $800,000 in initial funding (through July 2026) to expand registered apprenticeship programs for transmission and distribution lineworkers, reserving at least 50% for multiemployer programs.

• Implements cost caps for customers: $300 maximum for distributed generation system interconnection, zero cost for residential transportation/beneficial electrification upgrades, and $300 per unit for affordable housing developments.

• Requires utilities to develop virtual power plant programs with performance-based compensation for distributed energy resources, filed by February 1, 2025, and establishes undergrounding conversion and community benefit program plans using 1% of gross electric revenues from nonfranchised areas.

• Appropriates $420,500 to the Public Utilities Commission for 3.5 additional FTE positions to implement the act's requirements.