Ethics
News Roundup: CPUC Rejects Director’s Whistleblower Claim
The California Public Utilities Commission is refuting claims by its embattled executive director that she has been illegally forced out. Alice Stebbins dismissal is be discussed at an Aug. 31 public Commission hearing. She was placed on indefinite leave Aug. 4.
The attorney representing the state agency claims in […]
Opinionated: Gadgets Are Increasingly Connected
By Fereidoon Sioshansi
Every year hordes of people from around the world gather in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, one of the biggest shows in town. This year was no exception with 4,000 companies showing their latest gadgets to 150,000 delegates from 100 countries.
For the past few years, all sorts of smart devices […]
PG&E Pays $97M Fine for Ex Parte Wrongs
Pacific Gas & Electric agreed to pay $97.5 million in penalties under a settlement that puts to rest charges of prohibited secret communications between utility officials and state regulators.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved the agreement April 26.
“We hope PG&E will finally get the message that they have to play by the rules,” said […]
Legislature Sets Busy Agenda with More Energy Bills
Legislators in Sacramento continued introducing energy-related measures through the end of last week, including perennial bills that to make large hydropower a qualified source of renewable energy and to promote electric vehicles.
While some are largely statements of intent at this juncture—with the substance to be developed later—two of the more developed measures introduced in […]
OPINIONATED: A New CPUC Tool to Reduce Ex Parte Exchanges
By Todd Edmister
A recent CA Current article described a Feb.7, 2017, CPUC Commissioner informational webinar on “Impacts of Climate Change and Resulting Resiliency Challenges.” Though noticed as addressing “select questions submitted by the public,” the purpose of the meeting was limited to addressing questions from “investor groups,” as Commissioners Picker and Peterman […]
Shorts
The California Energy Commission April 7 launched the California Offshore Renewable Wind Energy Gateway, a website that provides geospatial information on ocean wind resources, ecological and natural resources, ocean commercial and recreational uses, and community values. The commission said it created the gateway to support the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s California Intergovernmental […]