Supplier Diversity Program

The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) General Order (GO) 156 fosters a competitive marketplace by encouraging investor-owned utilities, community choice aggregators, energy service providers and prime contractors to include diverse firms: women; minority; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); disabled veteran and persons with disabilities business enterprises in procurement activities. Currently, more than 30 investor-owned utilities such as AT&T, California Water Association, Comcast, Frontier, PG&E, SDG&E, Southern California Edison, SoCalGas, and Verizon participate in this program. In October 2019, Senate Bill (SB) 255 (Bradford, Chapter 407, 2019) added Community Choice Aggregators, energy service providers, distributed energy resource contractors, and energy storage system companies.

The Supplier Diversity Program has existed for almost 40 years with the fundamental and ongoing goal of advancing the American and Californian private enterprise marketplace through free, open and transparent competition. This can only be fully realized by harnessing the actual and potential capacity of all persons. Advancing competitive procurement opportunities for everyone by having voluntary inclusionary programs assists utilities into reaching new markets, increasing shareholder value, and controlling costs – while making us stronger together.

Our clearinghouse operator verifies the status of suppliers seeking certification as women, minority, LGBT, and/or persons with disabilities business. Disabled veteran businesses are certified by the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS), a unit of the Department of General Services. View the most recent update to the public version of our supplier database. Certification facilitates tracking of supplier procurement participation.

Program and Project Supervisor

Stephanie Green: 415-703-5245, stephanie.green@cpuc.ca.gov

Business Programs

Drisha Melton: 213-620-2688, drisha.melton@cpuc.ca.gov

Asia Powell: 213-266-4732, asia.powell@cpuc.ca.gov

Small & Diverse Business Expo

September 30, 2026
9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
South San Francisco Conference Center
255 S. Airport Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080

The CPUC Small and Diverse Business Expo is a free event where small and diverse businesses can connect directly with representatives from more than 55 utilities, public agencies, chambers, prime contractors, and community choice aggregators. Attendees can meet directly with industry representatives at our exhibitor booths, learn about certifications, and explore upcoming opportunities with companies like Verizon, PG&E, and T‑Mobile.

REGISTER TODAY!

24th Annual GO 156 Supplier Diversity En Banc

October 1, 2026
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
South San Francisco Conference Center
255 S. Airport Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080

The 24th Annual GO 156 Supplier Diversity En Banc is a free public hearing where leaders of California’s investor-owned utilities will report on their supplier diversity programs and contracting trends. Join us to hear from local ethnic chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, and community choice aggregators on their perspectives for fostering inclusive procurement.