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Learn about the Greenbook
PG&E Electric and Gas Service Requirements, also called the Greenbook, contains the minimum utility requirements for establishing gas or electric service to new or remodeled customer installations. The Greenbook is helpful for the following professionals:
- Architects.
- Engineers.
- Electrical contractors.
- Plumbing contractors.
- City and county officials.
- Electrical equipment manufacturers.
The Greenbook is available online and in print at your local Service Planning office.
Information and requirements in the Greenbook change over time. We update the online version of the Greenbook as changes occur, and we update the printed manual at each scheduled printing cycle. We recommend that you refer to the online version for the most current information.
Access the Greenbook online
Access the online version of the complete Greenbook.
View GreenbookRead popular Greenbook topics
PLEASE NOTE: You must coordinate all building and renovation services projects through your local PG&E representative before finalizing your project plans. PG&E Building and Renovation Services can help you ensure that your plans meet the most current PG&E requirements.
You or your contractor can also read the following popular Greenbook topics.
Gas meter locations
If your project requires new gas service installation, you must understand the requirements and preferred gas meter locations. View the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
- Section 2.4.2 Gas Meter-Set Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Electric and Gas Meter Set Separation Dimensions and Clearances (Figure 2-19) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Gas Meter Set Clearance From Building Openings (Figure 2-20)(PDF, 5.3 MB)
- J-16 Gas Meter Room (PDF, 123 KB)
- J-95 Meter Guard Design and Installation Arrangement (PDF, 131 KB)
- A-93.3 Excess Flow Valves (PDF, 155 KB)
Trenching
If you choose to trench and backfill on your own, you are responsible for obtaining any permits required by your city or county building and planning department. Your work is also subject to rigorous PG&E safety inspections. Although you may dig a trench yourself, we recommend that you use a licensed contractor.
For detailed information about safety, excavation, backfill, trench occupants, separation from other utilities and conduit installation, you and your PG&E representative can review the drawing that we provide.
You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
Gas Service Section
Electric: Underground Sections
Temporary electric service
If your project requires temporary construction power, we advise you to work with your contractor to install the temporary meter panel and pole or post for your site. The installation location must be protected from hazards and vehicular traffic. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
Overhead Electric Service
- For details about the temporary service pole installation refer to Requirements for Customer Owned Poles (PDF, 208 KB).
Underground Electric Service
- For details about the service post installation, grounding and trenching refer to the Temporary Underground Electric Service (PDF, 132 KB).
Residential underground services and meter locations
If you request new or upgraded underground electric service for your home, you must understand the requirements and preferred electric meter locations. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
- Section 3.2.2 Figure 3-1 Location - Termination and Meter Facilities (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3 Electric Meters: General Location Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3.2 Prohibited Meter and Service Equipment Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.4.1 Meter Heights (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.5.1 Properly Identifying and Marking Meters (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 6.4 Meter Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Electric and Gas Meter Set Separation Dimensions and Clearances (Figure 2-19) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Gas Meter Set Clearance From Building Openings (Figure 2-20) (PDF, 3.23 MB)
- Section 3.3.3 Installing Conduit for Underground Service (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 3.4.1 Mandrels (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- 063927 Methods and Requirements for Installing Residential Underground Electric Services 0-600 V to Customer-Owned Facilities (PDF, 74 KB)
- 028028 Secondary Enclosures for Electric Underground (PDF, 167 KB)
- 061032 Overhead to Underground Conversion (PDF, 147 KB)
- 064309 Box-Pad for Pad-Mounted Transformers (PDF, 130 KB)
- 076255 Underground Transformer Selection (PDF, 91 KB)
- Joint Trench Configuration and Occupancy Guide (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Backfill Sand (PDF, 5.3 MB)
Residential overhead services and meter locations
If you request new or upgraded overhead electric service for your home, you must understand the requirements and preferred electric meter locations. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
- Section 4.3.1 Figure 4-1 Preferred and Alternate Locations for the Overhead Service Drop Attachment (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3 Electric Meters: General Location Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3.2 Prohibited Meter and Service Equipment Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.4.1 Meter Heights (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.5.1 Properly Identifying and Marking Meters (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 6.4 Meter Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Electric and Gas Meter Set Separation Dimensions and Clearances (Figure 2-19) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Gas Meter Set Clearance From Building Openings (Figure 2-20) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.4 Service Drop Clearances (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.6.1 Periscope Clearances and Bracing Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.10 Required Vegetation Clearances (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Tree Planting Matrix Tables (PDF, 5.3 MB)
Commercial and industrial underground services and meter locations
If you request new or upgraded underground electric service for commercial or industrial sites, you must understand the requirements and preferred electric meter locations. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
- Section 3.2.2 Figure 3-1 Location - Termination and Meter Facilities (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3 Electric Meters: General Location Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3.2 Prohibited Meter and Service Equipment Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 7.2.4 Meter Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.4.1 Meter Heights (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.5.1 Properly Identifying and Marking Meters (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Electric and Gas Meter Set Separation Dimensions and Clearances (Figure 2-19) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Gas Meter Set Clearance From Building Openings (Figure 2-20) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 3.3.3 Installing Conduit for Underground Service (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 3.4.1 Mandrels (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- 063928 Methods and Requirements for Installing Commercial Underground Electric Services 0-600 Volts to Customer-Owned Facilities (PDF, 82 KB)
- 028028 Secondary Enclosures for Electric Underground (PDF, 167 KB)
- 051122 Clearances and Location Requirements for Enclosures, Pads, and Underground Equipment (PDF, 309 KB)
- 061032 Overhead to Underground Conversion (PDF, 147 KB)
- 064309 Box-Pad for Pad-Mounted Transformers (PDF, 130 KB)
- 045292 Concrete Pad for Three-Phase, Loop-Style, Pad-Mounted Transformers (PDF, 173 KB)
- 076255 Underground Transformer Selection (PDF, 91 KB)
- Joint Trench Configuration and Occupancy Guide (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Backfill Sand (PDF, 5.3 MB)
Commercial and industrial overhead services and meter locations
If you request new or upgraded overhead electric service for commercial or industrial sites, you must understand the requirements and preferred electric meter locations. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
- Section 4.3.1 Figure 4-1 Preferred and Alternate Locations for the Overhead Service Drop Attachment (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3 Electric Meters: General Location Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.3.2 Prohibited Meter and Service Equipment Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.4.1 Meter Heights (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 5.5.1 Properly Identifying and Marking Meters (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 7.2.4 Meter Locations (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Electric and Gas Meter Set Separation Dimensions and Clearances (Figure 2-19) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 2.4.2.D Gas Meter Set Clearance From Building Openings (Figure 2-20) (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.4 Service Drop Clearances (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.6.1 Periscope Clearances and Bracing Requirements (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Section 4.10 Required Vegetation Clearances (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- Tree Planting Matrix Tables (PDF, 5.3 MB)
Agricultural services
If your agricultural construction project requires new electric service installation, you must understand the requirements. You or your contractor can read the following most commonly referenced sections of the Greenbook related to this topic:
Get help from PG&E Building and Renovation Services
Use the following PG&E Building and Renovation Services resources: