About

Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) is a nonprofit organization that represents, protects, and promotes the interests of small business utility customers. Energy, water, and other utilities have a direct impact upon the success of small businesses. Yet, small business owners are either unrepresented or underrepresented before Public Utility Commissions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the courts, and other public bodies across the nation. SBUA fights for utility policies, rates, and programs that encourage the development of small business with cost effective, clean, and renewable utilities, which, by helping small businesses financially will improve the nation’s broader economic wellbeing. As part of our mission, SBUA also recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and places special significance on helping small businesses in disadvantaged communities. We are dedicated to representing the small business community by ensuring effective and active representation before regulatory bodies and by fostering the education of the small business owner on the benefits and methods of energy conservation and environmental sustainability.

In California, SBUA represents smaller commercial customers of bundled electricity.  Although the California Public Advocates represents the interests of utility customers generally, the interests of smaller businesses conflict with residential customers on issues related to rate structure (in other words, the percentage of a rate increase to be borne by each particular category of customer), cost allocation, and in other important areas. Meanwhile, larger commercial and industrial customers frequently can afford and have their own attorneys and expert witnesses at the Public Utilities Commission. As a result, there is a danger that smaller entities are left out of the Commission’s decision-making and that a disproportionate share of program costs and rate increases are allocated to small commercial customers because they usually cannot afford their own representation.

SBUA has been reaching out to members of the small business community to better understand their utility and energy concerns. SBUA endeavors to provide information and assistance with regard to utility conservation measures available to small business; notify the small business community regarding proceedings before utility commissions, including on cutting-edge issues related to demand response, energy storage, transportation electrification, and renewable energy; and provide advice to small businesses with respect to utility services.

We are actively soliciting feedback on the opinions, comments, and needs of small business with regard to utility services, including how progressive energy and sustainability programs can help our small business communities. Please contact us with any of your utility concerns. Contact Us