Stanislaus County, CA, USA; California Governor Gavin Newsom (C), and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) meet with NorCal Carpenters Union workers along the construction of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the future site of Proxima Solar Farm in Stanislaus County, California, USA, 19 May 2023. The Governor unveiled legislation to speed up construction for a streamlined process and to expedite court review on legal challenges that often tie up projects. The project is expected to create 300 construction jobs and generate $35 million in local revenue. The project is expected to be operational by December, could power 60,000 homes in the surrounding region and can generate up to 210 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and 177 megawatts of better energy storage. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sacramento, California – As Southern Californians brace for yet another round of rising electric bills, growing scrutiny is falling on the five-member California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — none of whom live in the region where nearly half the state’s population resides.
The commission, which regulates essential services like electricity, gas, internet, and water, is preparing to vote on Southern California Edison’s latest request to increase rates by more than 2% in the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire. The blaze, which killed 18 people and destroyed over 9,000 structures in January, is suspected to have originated under one of Edison’s transmission towers.
Critics argue the CPUC’s decisions disproportionately impact Southern California — where utilities like Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric serve nearly 19 million people — yet none of the commissioners live there. All five appointees reside in or near Sacramento and San Francisco.
“It’s time to rethink whether five people from the Bay Area should have so much power,” said former Assemblymember Mike Gatto, a Democrat from Los Angeles.
Public frustration is mounting. Residents of Porter Ranch recently protested at the CPUC’s San Francisco office over the decision to keep the Aliso Canyon gas facility open, despite health concerns and more than 200 comments opposing the move. Similarly, Edison customers have seen their electric bills surge 85% over the last decade — much of it with CPUC approval.
Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy) has introduced legislation, AB 13, that would require commissioners to be appointed from each of California’s four geographic regions, with one additional member required to have a background in public advocacy. “People should have access to those making decisions that impact their lives,” Ransom said.
Ransom’s bill would also limit the governor’s influence over appointments by requiring a one-year cooling-off period for executive branch employees. Currently, four of the five commissioners have ties to Governor Newsom’s administration.
The CPUC defended its statewide presence and public outreach efforts, noting it holds at least three meetings outside of Northern California annually and offers multiple channels for public input. But many argue those measures fall short.
“For God’s sake, don’t let SCE get another unwarranted rate hike,” pleaded Yorba Linda resident Randy Nakashima in a public comment.
If Edison is found liable for the Eaton Fire, the CPUC could soon decide whether customers — again — will bear the financial burden.
