Just getting into auditing in California and the data access landscape is more complicated than any other state I've worked. PG&E has their Share My Data platform, SCE has a different process, and SDG&E has yet another. Then there are the CCA (community choice aggregation) accounts where the generation is purchased by a local agency. Do I need authorization from the CCA too? Anyone have a California-specific workflow?
California CPUC rules on customer data access — more complex than expected
California is its own world. The CPUC has specific rules about customer data privacy under Decision 14-05-016 that affect how utilities share data with third parties. For PG&E, the Share My Data platform through Green Button Connect is actually pretty good once you get set up — the client authorizes you through their online account and you get automated data feeds. SCE has a similar system. The initial setup takes time but subsequent data pulls are much faster than traditional LOAs. For CCA accounts you typically still get the billing data from the IOU (PG&E, SCE) since they handle billing, but the generation charges come from the CCA. Depending on what you're auditing you may need both.
I work mostly Sacramento area so I deal with SMUD which is municipal, not CPUC-regulated. SMUD has their own authorization process that's simpler than the IOUs. But Dan is right about PG&E's Share My Data — once your client authorizes you it's actually one of the better data access systems in the country. You get interval data, billing data, rate information all in one feed. The problem is getting clients to go through the online authorization process. Some of them struggle with the tech.
California's data access rules are complex but the state has also invested more than most in electronic data sharing infrastructure. The Green Button Connect standard that PG&E and SCE use is worth learning even if the setup is painful. For auditors doing significant California work, I'd recommend attending one of the CEC or CPUC workshops on customer data access. They're free and will save you weeks of trial and error.
Took about 6 weeks to get fully set up with PG&E's Share My Data but now that it's working I can pull client data in minutes instead of weeks. Dan and Jennifer were right — the upfront investment pays off. Now working on getting SCE access set up the same way.