San Diego Gas & Electric recently requested approval from California regulators to extend its Mobilehome Park Utility Upgrade Program that installs new gas and electric lines and meters to connect mobile homes directly to the utility system.

In most mobile home communities, natural gas is delivered to one master meter and then distributed through systems that are owned and operated by the mobile home park owner. The utility says that switching to its system increases the safety and reliability of service and enables consumers to monitor their own natural gas usage to keep costs down.

In 1997, Public Utilities Code established a statutory framework transfer metering facilities to utilities that provide direct service. However, because few transfers occurred since 1997, in 2014, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) initiated a voluntary three-year pilot program to transfer master-meter/submeter service to direct utility service.

The pilot pilot program encourages utilities to replace around 10% of the energy distribution systems owned and operated by mobile park owners with more reliable gas and electric systems connected directly to individual residences. Under the pilot program, the CPUC selected 3,330 mobile homes in SDG&E’s service territory for conversion. The pilot program is set to end on Dec. 31, 2017.

SDG&E formally requested permission from the CPUC to convert an additional 20% of mobile home spaces—which would include about 6,600 homes—to direct utility service over a six-year period, from 2018 to 2023.

The Smart Meters installed under this program allow customers to monitor their energy usage, and set and monitor savings and conservation goals. Smart Meters can also detect slow gas leaks by spotting unusual increases in gas usage.

SDG&E requested an expedited schedule that could provide for a final Commission decision in early 2018.