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Direct Access
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Divisions
Utilities Department
Contact Us
Main: (951) 736-2234
Customer Care: (951) 736-2321
Fax: (951) 736-2455
CustomerCare@CoronaCA.gov
In an emergency, please call
(951) 736-2234
What is Direct Access?
Direct Access (DA) is a program that allows customers the option to purchase electricity and other services from an Electric Service Provider (ESP), outside of their assigned Investor-Owned Utility (IOU). The existing IOU in the City of Corona is Southern California Edison (SCE). An ESP is the entity that contracts directly with the customer to provide electric service and is responsible for arranging an adequate supply of electricity.
Under the Direct Access program, the customer would receive two (2) bills for electricity, one from SCE for the Distribution and Transmission portion of the service, and one from the Corona Utilities Department (CUD) for the Generation portion of the service.
As of October 11, 2009, per Senate Bill 695, the DA program is only open for non-residential customers.
How to Participate in Direct Access?
Customers wishing to participate in the Direct Access program must enter SCE’s DA Lottery. SCE’s enrollment window for the DA Lottery is ONLY open for submission in the 2nd full week in June each year.
Next submission period is during the five business days beginning June 9, 2025 at 9AM PDT, and ending on June 13, 2025 at 5 PM PDT.
Step 1: Completing All Required SCE Forms
A. SCE Form 14-793 (Notice to Transfer)
B. SCE Form 14-796 (Customer Information Service Request-CISR) (if needed)
a. If CUD will submit the forms and act on your behalf:
i. Complete Form 14-796 and check box options 1, 5, and 7.
ii. Send Form 14-796 before the enrollment period.
iii. Sign and date Form 14-793 (Notice to Transfer).
b. If you choose to submit the forms directly to SCE:
i. Sign Form 14-793 (Notice to Transfer) and send to CUD.
ii. Ensure the customer is copied on the DA Lottery Submission email.
Step 2: DA Lottery Submission Window
Form 14-793 (Notice to Transfer) may be submitted to SCE only during the 2nd full week in June of each year. Submissions will not be accepted after this point.
Step 3: What Happens After Submission
If there are any errors with the submission, SCE will contact the submitter to correct the errors. The review period to correct errors is five (5) business days from the date SCE notifies the submitter.
Submitters with completed submissions free of errors, will be assigned a random number for each eligible Six-Month Notice. Submitters will be notified electronically of their Wait List number.
Requests for assistance in this process should be made no later than May 15 to allow for adequate time and attention before the submission date.
For assistance, please contact:
Erin Kunkle, Electric Utility Manager
Erin.Kunkle@CoronaCA.gov
951-817-5795
or
Jonathan Ma, Electric Utility Analyst
Jonathan.Ma@CoronaCA.gov
951-739-4822
Please note City of Corona business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
FAQs
What is generation, transmission, and distribution? Why will I receive 2 bills for electricity?
All electricity bills are composed of three parts: generation, transmission, and distribution.
Generation is the source of the electricity, or the energy itself. Under the DA program, CUD would be responsible for obtaining the electricity that is needed by the Customer. DA Customers will only be billed by CUD for this portion.
Transmission is the process of transporting high voltage electricity from its source over long distances through transmission lines. SCE controls and maintains those transmission lines.
Once the electricity has been transmitted to the appropriate area, it must be distributed to the individual customers. This process is referred to as Distribution. These distribution power lines are also controlled and maintained by SCE. DA Customers will only be billed by SCE for transmission and distribution of the electricity.
Why would I want to enroll in the Direct Access program?
By enrolling and participating in the Direct Access program, CUD may be able to obtain power for your business at a lower price than SCE. Publicly Owned Utilities are not for profit entities, so the cost that CUD incurs to obtain electricity is what you would pay as well.
Can any business customer sign up for Direct Access?
No, only commercial and industrial customers can participate in the Direct Access program. The customer must be an existing SCE bundled customer. Additionally, customers on certain rate plans are not eligible to participate.
If I enroll my business for Direct Access, am I guaranteed enrollment?
SCE’s Direct Access program has a lottery system to award enrollment into the Direct Access program, up to their current DA Load Cap. To see how much Load Cap SCE currently has, click here.
Can Residential Customers participate in DA?
Current law excludes any new residential customers from signing up for DA.
I am currently a DA customer, how can I return to SCE Bundled Service?
Please contact the Corona Utilities Department at (951) 817-5795 to discontinue Direct Access service.
