Rachel Peterson

Rachel Peterson was appointed as Executive Director of the California Public Utilities Commission in January 2021. She leads the Commission’s statewide workforce to accomplish California’s pathbreaking goals in the areas of energy, telecommunications, safety, rail, water, and passenger transportation. California is a dynamic state and the CPUC sets the policy and rules for utility services that are essential to modern life –and Rachel has set her sights on achieving two long-range organizational priorities: to achieve the Commission’s regulatory mission in the context of climate change, and to invest in the Commission’s workforce. She is moving the CPUC toward this vision with effective leadership driven by values. Rachel has worked at the CPUC since 2011 in numerous leadership positions, including chief of staff and advisor to Commissioners, and as an executive in the areas of safety policy and enforcement.