Law Commons^™

Report By Ggu And Uc Berkeley Faculty Finds Cpuc Ex Parte Rules Unusual And Needing Reform, Deborah Nicole Behles

Publications

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has an unusual way of doing business. Most state and federal regulatory agencies prohibit private, closed-door discussions with interested parties about contested matters (ex parte communications).

Transitioning A Community Away From Fossil-Fuel Generation To A Green Economy: An Approach Using State Utility Commission Authority, Alan Ramo, Deborah N. Behles

Publications

A transition is starting throughout the nation as renewable energy resources are developed and older fossil-fuel facilities retire. The communities that bear the brunt of fossil-fuel pollution will also likely bear this transition’s economic impacts. Yet, there is no guarantee that these communities will share in the transition’s economic benefits—in particular, the building, operation, and ownership of new renewable energy resources. Renewable energy laws generally do not consider these types of impacts when determining where to site new resources.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in a case involving Native Americans in Arizona affected by the operations and closure of …

Regulators Say No To More Fossil Fuel Power Generation In California, Lisa Lomba

Press Releases

After determining that the existing electricity supply can meet the state’s system needs through the year 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously today to defer any new procurement of fossil fuel generation. This ruling establishes for most of the state, that California’s long-term energy needs do not require building more fossil fuel infrastructure, which contributes to global warming.

California Regulators Add Teeth To Landmark Clean Energy Policy, Lisa Lomba

Press Releases

Through the efforts of Pacific Environment represented by GGU Law's Environmental Law and Justice Clinic and the Sierra Club California represented by Earthjustice, and in partnership with Communities for a Better Environment, today the California Public Utilities Commission strengthened a key clean energy policy in California called the Loading Order. The Loading Order sets a priority list for electricity sources. California’s utilities must first employ energy efficiency and conservation to meet customer demand; then energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. Only after all those supplies are exhausted may the utilities purchase power from fossil fuel plants.