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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is evaluating cost recovery for transmission infrastructure upgrades required for large load customers, such as data centers, in PG&E's service area. On July 24, 2025, the CPUC approved an interim implementation of PG&E's Electric Rule No. 30, requiring customers to pay upfront for necessary upgrades, while refund policies remain under review.

Recent decisions regarding agreements with STACK Infrastructure and Microsoft indicate a shift towards slower refund timelines, capping annual refunds at 75% of actual net revenues and extending refund periods from 10 to 15 years. PG&E has also submitted a proposal for a Google data center, seeking to adhere to the traditional Base Annual Revenue Calculation (BARC) method, which faces opposition from the Public Advocates Office. The CPUC has set a timeline for further submissions, with final decisions on cost allocation and refund methodologies expected later in 2026.