ESJ Action Plan 2.0 Report: Bridging Gaps and Building Futures Through Action & Impact

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has published its 2025 annual report of the Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Action Plan 2.0, which highlights key successful efforts and impactful results in embedding the principles of ESJ across the agency’s regulatory responsibilities.

The report provides the status of nine strategic objectives and 94 action items the CPUC committed to implement, resulting in 85 percent completion. This follows the ESJ Action Plan 1.0, which established a framework, cross-agency collaboration, accountability, and inclusive and equitable policymaking and programs. To further amplify the progress made, the report includes case studies that show CPUC ESJ impact.

“The CPUC made significant strides in integrating ESJ principles into its internal operations, decision-making processes, and external engagements,” said CPUC Executive Director Rachel Peterson. “We cultivated a culture committed to understanding the real challenges and lived experiences of ESJ communities, centering their feedback, and upholding our commitment to equity.”

Centering Humanity, Community, Climate, and Equity

Anchored by a robust governance structure and guided by the Executive Division, the ESJ Executive Nancy Diaz, the Core Team, and ESJ Liaisons from each division ensured that ESJ principles were embedded into the CPUC’s everyday practice.

Key achievements highlighted in the report include:

• Increase investments in clean energy to improve air quality and public health. Disadvantaged communities are disproportionately exposed to pollution, putting them at greater risk for respiratory diseases, among other health challenges. With that in mind, the CPUC evaluated plans for distributed energy and energy efficiency resources in these communities, and prioritized building decarbonization. Further, the CPUC is placing an emphasis on streamlining enrollment for low-income energy programs to encourage participation.
• Promotion of high road career pathways in the clean energy sector through workforce development programs. In partnership with the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), the CPUC is helping spread awareness about jobs programs focused on utilities to assist in reaching underserved, under-resourced communities.
• Enhanced community outreach and participation in the CPUC’s decision-making process through community partnerships and targeted outreach. To keep community-based organizations informed about CPUC processes, the External Affairs Division implemented targeted engagement strategies, including monthly newsletters. The CPUC also translated fact sheets and brochures into various languages, including Chinese, Korean, and Spanish.
• Expand access to lifeline utility services, including high quality water, communications, and transportation. The CPUC supported broadband initiatives on tribal rural lands, which face some of the lowest rates of high-speed internet. The California Advanced Service Fund (CASF) Tribal Technical Assistance Program awarded $6 million to over 40 Tribes.

Broadband at the Yurok Tribe connected 2,299 unserved residents to high-speed internet in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, supporting education, healthcare, public safety, and economic growth in a remote region.

Results That Matter: From Vision to Impact

By embedding inclusion, equity, and ESJ principles, the CPUC collectively made a lasting impact across communities in California. Below are a few metrics tracked on progress and impact: 

• Customer assistance program participation for water utilities increased by 35%, providing more families with essential relief.
• California LifeLine enrollment grew by 13%, expanding affordable telecommunications access for low-income Californians.
• Cal Connect+ distributed 10% more devices than in previous years, helping bridge the digital divide.
• 400,000 medically vulnerable electric utility customers received improved, timely notifications during Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
• Over $1 billion in broadband grants were awarded across 52 counties, including $50 million in technical assistance which also reached over 50 Tribal communities.
• Nearly $13 billion was invested through the Supplier Diversity Program, supporting equitable economic opportunity.

CPUC Is Leading The Way

ESJ principles are at the core of CPUC’s work, and the CPUC is committed to continue to lead the way by advancing these principles through actions, collaboration, and innovative solutions.

“This is not a single moment. It is a shared, ongoing responsibility to ensure that all Californians have safe access to essential utility services. Our work must continue,” said Executive Director Peterson.

By Andrea Marvin, Public Information Officer