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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

University of San Diego School of Law

By: Andrew Kent

2022

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was created in 1911 to regulate privately-owned utilities and ensure reasonable rates and service for the public. Today, under the Public Utilities Act of 1951, Public Utilities Code
section 201 et seq., the CPUC regulates energy, some aspects of transportation (rail, moving companies, limos, and shared-ride carriers), water/sewage, and limited aspects of communications. The CPUC licenses more than 1,200 privately-owned and operated gas, electric, telephone, water, sewer, steam, and pipeline utilities, in addition to 3,300 truck, bus, “shared ride,” railroad, light rail, ferry, and other transportation companies in California. The CPUC grants operating authority, regulates service standards, and monitors utility operations for safety.

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