The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) holds Public Forums (also called Public Participation Hearings or PPHs) to give the public a chance to learn about and express their opinions on issues before the CPUC. Each Public Forum is about a specific issue that is pending resolution at the CPUC, such as a utility’s request to change the rates that customers pay. 

  • Public Forums are free and open to the public. No RSVP is necessary to attend, but you must sign up when you arrive if you wish to speak. 
  • Public Forums are led by a CPUC Administrative Law Judge, and CPUC Commissioners may also attend.
  • To ensure that consumers directly affected by a proceeding get a chance to express their views, the CPUC holds Public Forums in the area where a utility’s customers live to get their input, or may hold public webinars.

See information on upcoming PPHs and other events below.

Upcoming Public Forums (Public Participation Hearings) and Other Events

Application of Southern California Edison to Raise Rates for its General Rate Case for Gas Service for Santa Catalina Island (A.23-12-011)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold remote public forums for customers of Southern California Edison (SCE) to provide input into the company’s proposal to increase rates for its General Rate Case (GRC) for gas service for Santa Catalina Island.

WHAT: The public forums will begin with a brief overview of SCE’s proposal, then parties to the proceeding may provide brief overviews, and then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from SCE will be available to answer questions about individual customer bills or service.

You can also make your voice heard in the proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for the proceeding at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2312011.

WHEN

FORMAT

LOCATION

Wednesday
May 29, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Remote only

Remote access via webcast or phone. More information below.

 

 

 

REMOTE ACCESS OPTIONS FOR THE MAY 29th REMOTE PUBLIC FORUMS

  • Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/
    • Participants who choose to view via webcast will have audio and video but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make comment during the forums, refer to the phone-in information below.
    • For captions, after clicking on the name of the meeting, click the green button below the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
    • The public forums will be recorded and archived for future viewing.
  • Phone: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 6032788#, Spanish passcode: 3799627#
    • Participants will have audio in English and Spanish and will be able to make comments. (To make a comment, after entering the passcode (or Spanish passcode), when prompted press *1, unmute your phone, and record your name.)
    • Wait times depend on the number of speakers in the public comment queue. During times of high call volumes, wait times will be longer. The operator will call on you when it is your turn to speak.

SCE PROPOSAL:

SCE is requesting:

 

  1. Gas revenue of $2.062 million in 2025, $2.309 million in 2026, $2.357 million in 2027, and $2.402 million in 2028. This represents a total $1.727 million revenue increase above present rate revenues over the 2025-2028 period. SCE also presents its plan to begin transitioning gas customers to all-electric service and proposed rate design changes.
  2. To initiate the process to electrify its gas service on Catalina based on forecasted customer savings, environmental and indoor air quality benefits, climate vulnerabilities, the high cost of service for a small gas customer base, and alignment with SCE’s efforts to clean Catalina’s long-term power generation mix.SCE plans to fully electrify the island over a period of 20-years or sooner, if feasible.

 

The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments at the public forums (formally called Public Participation Hearings), as public comments help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceedings is scheduled to issue a Proposed Decision in the case for consideration by the CPUC within a year.

No official action will be taken on this matter at the public forums. If specialized accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the public forums.

Related Documents

 

Please check the calendar for any other upcoming events. 

 

 


information about participating

Can My Participation Make a Difference in a Decision?

Yes! The CPUC wants to hear from the public. Public comments are taken into consideration by the Commissioners and Administrative Law Judge in their decision-making. 

  • Public comment may raise issues and concerns that influence how a project or issue is analyzed and what decision gets made. 
  • Even if you don’t plan to comment, attending a Public Forum provides an opportunity to learn about topics that are pending at the CPUC and hear the positions of others. 

Tips for Attending and Speaking at a Public Forum

At the beginning of a Public Forum, an Administrative Law Judge provides an overview of the CPUC process and the issue to be discussed. There may also be a presentation to the audience about the utility’s proposal. From there, most of the meeting is reserved for the public to provide comments and share their perspective about the issue. 

If you wish to speak, please keep the following in mind:

  • Elected officials attending a Public Forum are usually allowed to speak first. 
  • We recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign up to speak. 
  • Speakers need to be present to sign up to speak. You cannot sign up others or yield your time to someone else. 
  • If many people sign up to speak, the Administrative Law Judge may set a time limit in order to allow everyone a chance to speak. 
  • There will be a CPUC court reporter present to record your comments for the record. 
  • Attendees are expected to be respectful of others’ opinions. 
  • If you have written your speech, you may bring a copy for the Administrative Law Judge and one for the court reporter. 
  • Often, the Administrative Law Judge will not be able to answer questions at the Public Forum because of legal reasons. They may refer you to a utility representative or CPUC staff. 
  • For safety purposes, signs of any size that are mounted on sticks are not allowed in any room where a Public Forum, hearing, or workshop is taking place; neither are signs larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, whether mounted or not.

If I Can’t Participate in Person, Can I Still Make a Comment?

Yes! If you can’t attend a Public Forum in person, you can still make comments:

Use the Docket Card where you can also read the comments of others. 

Contact the Public Advisor’s Office:

Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Call: 866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074  TTY 866-836-7825
Write: CPUC Public Advisor’s Office, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

Language interpretation is available

The CPUC can provide language interpreters and/or American Sign Language interpreters at a CPUC event. Please send a request to the Public Advisor’s Office at least three business days before the event. The CPUC will provide these services at no-cost.

To see more CPUC events, check out our calendar.

To see a list of prior public participation hearings, check out this page.

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