After AT&T’s Request to Withdraw its Responsibility as Carrier of Last Resort; The California Public Utilities Commission Opens New Rulemaking Process

By Flávia Martini Andrade da Silva On May 10, 2024, Administrative Law Judge Thomas J. Glegola rejected the Pacific Bell Telephone Company, doing business as AT&T California (AT&T), requesting to withdraw as a carrier of last resort (COLR). In response, Continue reading

CPUC Decision Expands Community Solar Programs and Creates New Community Solar Program

By Francesca Nevil On May 30, 2024, Administrative Law Judge Kelly A. Hymes issued a proposed decision for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand and improve its existing community solar programs and launch a new community renewable energy Continue reading

Pilot Program Launched to Help Clear Utility Bills and Regain Financial Stability

By Erol Kilic On February 15, 2024, pursuant to SB 598 (Hueso) (Chapter 362, Statutes of 2017), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a decision on Rulemaking 18-07-005, a pilot program to use community-based organizations (CBOs) to address service Continue reading

Report by CPUC Public Advocates Office Highlights Exorbitant Electricity Rate Increases

By Erol Kilic On October 26, 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Public Advocates Office (PAO) published an Electric Rates Report. The report found the rate increases for California households have dramatically outpaced inflation. The rate increases by Pacific Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Wildfire Safety and Enforcement Branch Adopts New Tool to Protect Public

By Erol Kilic On September 21, 2023, the Wildfire Safety and Enforcement Branch (WSEB) of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a new enforcement tool to further protect the public from violations of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) guidelines.  Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Announces First Market Transformation Administrator

By Shiloh Wallack On January 31, 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced its first-ever Market Transformation Administrator (CalMTA). This new position is part of the CPUC’s ongoing efforts to advance clean energy, promote energy efficiency, and support innovation Continue reading

CPUC’s Recent Grants to Local Governments Help Bridge the Digital Divide

By Shiloh Wallack On October 21, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) stated they had made their largest funding award to 28 local governments in the amount of $14 million in grants. These grants are to help with broadband Continue reading

CPUC Acts, Makes California National Trailblazer for Natural Gas Subsidy Elimination

By Shiloh Wallack On September 15, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a press release announcing it was taking action to “eliminate natural gas line subsidies for new natural gas hookups,” stating “[t]he first-in-the-nation action will reduce greenhouse Continue reading

State Auditor Releases Report Finding State Officials are Failing to Hold California’s Electric Utility Companies Accountable for Wildfires

By Justin Dalton On March 24, 2022, the Acting California State Auditor, Michael Tilden, released an audit finding that state officials are failing to hold California utility companies accountable for preventing fires started by those companies’ equipment. The Audit found Continue reading