What is AB 2143 and PUC ยง769.2?
Assembly Bill (AB) 2143 (2022, Carillo) established the Public Utilities Code (PUC) ยง769.2. Requiring that, beginning January 1, 2024, large customer-sited renewable electrical generation (solar or otherwise) facilities, and any associated battery storage, that enroll in tariffs designed for these projects (e.g., net energy metering or net billing tariffs) must provide, at a minimum, prevailing wages to all construction workers and apprentices.
ย
The full text of AB 2143 can be found here.
What is SURGE?
The Solar-Utilities Reporting, Guidance, and Education (SURGE) is an initiative directed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to support AB 2143 compliance by collecting digital copies of certified payroll records from renewable electrical generation facilities and any associated battery storage projects. To support this effort, the SURGE Team created the SURGE Compliance Portal, a platform that allows Contractors to complete their AB 2143 compliance requirements.
Additionally, SURGE is responsible for providing outreach and education to Contractors and other stakeholders to understand the AB 2143 and PUC ยง769.2 complianceย reporting process.
AB 2143 Eligibility Exceptions
Per PUC ยง769.2(f)(1-4), projects will not apply to AB 2143 if they fall under any of the following categories:
- Residential facilities that will have a maximum generating capacity of 15 kilowatts or less of electricity, or that will be installed on a single-family home.
- Projects that are already a public work under existing law.
- Facilities that serve only a modular home, a modular home community, or multiunit housing that has 2 or fewer stories.
If you have specific questions regarding project applicability, please send an email to info@cpucsurge.org.ย
