CPUC En Banc to Consider Phase 3 Issues Related to Mitigating Future Residential Rate Increases

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)will hold an en banc meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Monday February 28, 2022, and from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday March 1, 2022, to consider issues related to Rulemaking 18-07-006 and proposals to limit and/or mitigate future electricity and natural gas rate increases focusing on residential customers. A quorum of Commissioners may participate, but no votes will be taken.

The en banc will be held remotely via Zoom consistent with Assembly Bill 361 (Rivas, Chapter 165, Statutes of 2021) to improve and enhance public access to state meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies by allowing broader access through teleconferencing options. Members of the public can attend the en banc by joining the meeting with the following information:

Link to View the En Banc:  https://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/

Public Comment Line: Toll-Free:800-857-1917, Public Code: 1673482# - Press Star One on your keypad to connect with our operator who will put you in the queue. If you wish to cancel, press Star Two.

Spanish Translation Public Comment Line: Toll-Free: 800-857-1917, Public Code: 9431214#

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Issues to be Determined or Considered in Phase 3:

• What actions, if any, should the Commission take to limit and/or mitigate future increases in energy costs, rates, and bills for all classes/categories of ratepayers? Would these proposed actions result in cost shifting between ratepayer classes/categories?
• What actions, if any, should the Commission recommend other entities take to limit and/or mitigate future increases in energy costs, rates, and bills for all classes/categories of ratepayers?
• Before approval, what processes, information or approaches could support understanding individual proposed capital expenditures and expenses’ impacts on affordability and rates in the context of the IOUs' overall operations? Should the Commission adopt or require any such processes or approaches?
• Other entities (such as the State Legislature) review and approve most expenses in a consolidated process, giving insight into the cumulative impact and tradeoffs of all the proposals. Could the Commission create a process that would function similarly?
• How can the Commission ensure that the rate impact tools developed by staff are used and useful during the consideration of individual programs and applications?
• Impacts on environmental and social justice communities, including the extent to which mitigating future energy rate increases impacts achievement of any of the nine goals of the Commission’s Environmental and Social Justice Action Plan.