California Public Utilities Commission’s Independent Watchdog Recommends $166 Million Fine Against Pacific Gas & Electric (R 18-12-005)

By Tristan Stidham On October 30, 2020, the Public Advocate’s Office (PAO), the consumer protection watchdog of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), recommended a $166 million fine against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for failing to warn customers of Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Jointly Issues Root Cause Analysis with Other State Agencies Regarding Rolling Blackouts

By Tristan Stidham On October 6, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a preliminary “Root Cause Analysis” with respect to California’s August 14 and 15, 2020, rolling blackouts—the first time in nearly 20 years that such outages occurred. Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Adopts Framework for Assessing Utility Service Affordability (R.18-07-006)

By Madison Orcutt At its meeting on July 16, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to adopt a decision (D.20-07-032) adopting metrics and methodology for assessing the relative affordability of utility service—specifically, electricity, natural gas, water, and Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Expands Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready 2 Transportation Electrification Program

By Rachel Rockwell On September 2, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued D.20-08-045 to authorize Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Charge Ready 2 infrastructure program. With the decision, the Commission approves $436 million in funding toward electric vehicle charge Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Approves SDG&E Power Line Despite Opposition of Local Government and Homeowners

By Tristan Stidham On October 5, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its final decision granting San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) request for a permit to construct the Tie Line (TL) 6975, San Marcos to Escondido Continue reading

Public Utilities Commission Dismisses Executive Director Following California Personnel Board Special Investigation Report on Hiring Practices

By Maddie Orcutt At the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) meeting on August 31, 2020, the CPUC voted to dismiss Executive Director Alice Stebbins in closed session after a public hearing on the matter. Ms. Stebbins had served as the Continue reading

Under New Proposals, California Public Utilities Commission Could Revoke Pacific Gas & Electric’s License if Utility Operates Unsafely

By Strider Kachelein On February 18, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued I.19-09-016, a ruling setting forth assigned Commissioner proposals “relating to the application of state law to the proposed plan of reorganization for Pacific Gas and Electric Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma Issues Proposed Decision to Make Annual Reports for Transportation Network Companies Available to the Public

By Michael J. Melton On February 7, 2020, CPUC Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma issued a proposed decision on data confidentiality issues pertaining to the Commission’s Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) on regulations relating to passenger carriers, ridesharing, and new online-enabled transportation services Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Sets Hearing Regarding San Diego Gas & Electric’s Application to Extend “Power Your Drive” Pilot Program (A1910012)

By Marcus Friedman On February 6, 2020, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen issued a scoping memo setting the scope of proceedings and setting a schedule regarding San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) October 28, 2019 application requesting Continue reading