CPUC and Energy Safety to Hold Public Meetings on Utility Safety Practices
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety), in a joint commitment to safety, accountability, and transparency, will hold a fourth annual safety update briefing to hear from Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) on their safety performance and related safety efforts.
When:
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 12:30 - 5 p.m.: BVES and PG&E
- Thursday, August 29, 2024, 10 - 5 p.m.: SoCalGas, SDG&E, and SCE
What: Two public meetings to provide the CPUC, Energy Safety, and the public with information about energy utility safety performance and related safety efforts of BVES, PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas including corporate safety governance and culture, wildfire prevention actions of electric utilities, and management of utility safety, pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 8389(e)(5) and CPUC Decision 23-12-034.
Who: Members of the Boards of Directors and senior leadership of BVES, PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, and SoCalGas will present and answer questions from the CPUC’s Commissioners and the Director of Energy Safety. There will also be an opportunity for public comment at the end of each briefing.
How to Access:
- In-person: CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
- Participants will be able to observe the briefings and make comments in-person.
- Live webcast with English or Spanish captions: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
- Participants who choose to participate via webcast will have audio and video capabilities but cannot make verbal comments. If you would like to comment during the meeting, refer to the phone-in information below or join in-person.
- To enable 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 webcast will be recorded and archived for future viewing.
- Phone line:
- English: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#
- Spanish: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 3799627#
- Phone participants will have audio in English or Spanish and will be able to make comments.
- To make a public comment during the public comment period, press *1 (star one) when you wish to speak to be placed in a queue by the operator.
- Participants will be placed on mute in “listen-only” mode until the public comment portion of the meeting.
- 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.
To Make a Public Comment: If you would like to speak during the public comment period at the end of each session, you may comment in-person or participate by phone. Refer to the phone-in information above to participate by phone.
The most updated information related to the briefings, including any materials and agenda, will be posted on the CPUC’s website.
While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend these briefings, no official action will be taken.
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 days in advance of the briefings.
The CPUC and Energy Safety
The CPUC enforces regulations geared towards ensuring power plants and utility companies run safe and reliable natural gas and electric systems. The CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division (SED) conducts audits and inspections, investigates safety incidents or system problems, issues fines, oversees corrective actions, and advises the CPUC on related matters. The CPUC’s Safety Policy Division (SPD) reviews and oversees risk analysis and mitigation planning by investor-owned utilities, oversees comprehensive safety culture assessments, analyzes safety metrics, and develops policies and rules designed to improve safety performance.
Energy Safety assesses electrical corporations’ Wildfire Mitigation Plans, annual wildfire-specific safety culture assessments, issues safety certifications to utilities, and evaluates executive compensation structures. Energy Safety maintains compliance through field inspections, audits, and review of utility compliance and Independent Evaluator reports.
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.