Make Your Voice Heard
What is the CPUC?
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is the state agency that oversees electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, and certain transportation services, which are all key services that small businesses depend on. The CPUC approves utility rates and sets rules that can affect what you pay, the reliability of your service, the programs you can access, and the customer protections available to you.
Many of the CPUC’s most important decisions happen through public proceedings. Utilities file requests to raise or change rates, expand programs, and invest in infrastructure, and the CPUC reviews those proposals through a formal process that includes evidence, analysis, and input from the public.
Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) participates in these proceedings as an advocate and intervenor focused exclusively on small business ratepayers. Our role is to ensure small business concerns are fully considered and have a voice in decision-making — by scrutinizing utility proposals, presenting evidence and policy recommendations, and advocating at hearings and meetings before the Commission on behalf of small business customers.
Small businesses can also participate directly. One of the most effective ways to make your voice heard is to submit a public comment or speak at a public participation hearing.
Brochures on Public Participation
- Inform CPUC Decision-Making by Providing Public Comments (English): Information on how to comment on the CPUC proceedings. Spanish version.
- Participating at CPUC Public Participation Hearings and Workshops (English): Explains public participation hearings and workshops. Spanish version.
- Participating at a CPUC Voter Meeting: Covers the rules on making public comments at a CPUC Voting Meeting.
Brochures on the CPUC and Understanding the Proceeding Process
- CPUC Overview (English): Provides an overview of the work of the CPUC. Spanish version.
- Understanding a CPUC Proceeding: Covers what happens in a proceeding and the types of proceedings. Also explains informal and formal participation.