California Public Utilities Commission

The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to approve Charter's $34.5 billion takeover of Cox Communications. This approval was key, clearing the last regulatory barrier before the deal can close.

California's DER wholesale market participation could grow by over 2 gigawatts due to a CAISO accounting change, according to an advocate. A related rulemaking at the California Public Utilities Commission may further support aggregated DERs like behind-the-meter batteries, though a final decision is not expected before next year.

A group claiming to represent wildfire victims in California is accused of being a fake entity funded by for-profit electric utilities. The article highlights the ongoing displacement and financial struggles of Eaton Fire survivors, criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom's efforts to secure an 11th-hour utility bailout, which critics argue shifts wealth from Californians to Wall Street.

California's CalSHAPE program, intended to upgrade school heating and cooling systems, was cut short in 2024, leaving $200 million unspent. Only 172 of over 4,500 schools with faulty systems received funding due to a complex process, and lawmakers now debate using interest from the funds for an unrelated energy program.

California's Public Utilities Commission voted to lower the temperature threshold from 100 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, preventing utilities from cutting power to delinquent customers during heatwaves. The decision addresses concerns about climate change intensifying heatwaves and limiting access to power for unpaid bills.

California's Public Utilities Commission lowered the temperature threshold from 100 to 90 degrees to prevent power shutoffs for delinquent customers during heatwaves. Two new laws address heat safety in schools, requiring heat-safety plans and education on heat illness, though critics note they lack funding for infrastructure improvements.

California has restricted utility power shutoffs for delinquent customers during dangerous heat, lowering the temperature threshold from 100 to 90 degrees and requiring region-specific heat standards. Utilities missed a deadline for improved safeguards, prompting regulators to impose stronger rules after finding their proposals insufficient to protect public health.

Autonomous vehicles, now operational in some U.S. cities, are being evaluated for their impact on traffic and safety. While proponents claim they reduce crashes and insurance claims, data from Waymo indicates they perform similarly to ride-hailing services in traffic reduction. Recent challenges with school buses and flooded roads highlight ongoing technical limitations.

AT&T filed a lawsuit against California and petitioned the FCC, seeking relief from its Carrier of Last Resort obligation that requires the company to provide landline service to all potential customers in its territory. The company claims it spends $1 billion annually maintaining a century-old copper network that serves only 3% of households, while customers have migrated to modern broadband services. AT&T has already secured relief from this obligation in 20 of its 21 service states, with California being the only holdout after the California Public Utilities Commission rejected its request in June 2024.