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Category: California News

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) and Senators Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) today announced a sweeping package of reforms to bolster governance, accountability, transparency and oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

“These reforms will change how this commission does business,” said Governor Brown. “Public access to meetings and records will be expanded, new safety and oversight positions will be created and ex parte communication rules will be strengthened.”

“These reforms mark a new beginning for the CPUC. The commission will become transparent and accountable to Californians and focused on the safety of our communities,” said Assemblymember Gatto, chair of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Brown for their support of these key reforms.”

“It's been a long road, and we still have much work to do if we are to build the CPUC that the state deserves,” said Senator Hill, whose district includes the City of San Bruno. “Today we take a strong step forward with principles that underscore our shared commitment to an organization that will better serve Californians, ensure their safety and merit their trust.”

“The principles are a blueprint for a CPUC that is focused, efficient, working in the public interest, and most notably, transparent and accountable,” said Senator Leno. “The changes agreed to by the Commission and the Governor in SB 215 apply enhanced ex parte communication rules targeting the abuses of the past and ensure independent prosecution and stiff penalties for those who would violate the public trust. I offer my thanks to Governor Brown, the Commission, my joint author Senator Hueso, all my legislative colleagues and The Utility Reform Network for their commitment to reforming our Public Utilities Commission.”

The Governor's Office will work closely with the Legislature and impacted entities in the administration to move forward with these reforms in the months ahead. Complete details of the reform package are below. 

Principles for Reform: Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission

Governance

Increasing the CPUC’s focus and expertise by relocating responsibilities and making logistical changes that improve the commission's ability to function.

Accountability

Enacting reforms to make it easier for the public and watchdog groups to participate in CPUC proceedings.

Transparency

Reforming the ex parte rules to establish a more ethical environment that is fair to all parties, while providing flexibility for entities to contact their appointed officials. 

Oversight and Safety

Enacting sweeping ethics reforms, which have been elusive or are completely unprecedented.