The CPUC has scheduled four meetings to provide information to the public regarding the introduction of a new area code to the region now served by the 415 area code. The purpose of the meetings is to obtain input from the public regarding the opening of a new area code in the region currently served by the 415 area code.
The 415 area code, serving San Francisco and Marin, is expected to use up all the available prefixes (the first three numbers after the area code in a phone number) by October 2015. To ensure that new numbers are available for customers and technology expansion, the CPUC has begun the process to introduce a new area code, 628, to the geography now served by 415.
Comments from the public can help the CPUC reach an informed decision and members of the public are encouraged to attend one of the following meetings:
Local Jurisdiction Meeting (for local and elected officials; open to the public)
- Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 2 p.m.
CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Public Meetings
- Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 7 p.m.
CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
- Thursday, January 17, 2013, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m.
San Rafael City Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Ave., San Rafael
On September 6, 2012, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the neutral third-party area code relief planner for California, held a meeting with service providers to the 415 area code to get their input regarding the most appropriate method of introducing the 628 area code. The industry consensus resulting from that meeting was to recommend an overlay. The CPUC has scheduled these meetings to inform the public about the area code alternatives and to receive public comment.
After the meetings, NANPA will submit an application to the CPUC for the new area code recommending the industry desired solution. In response to NANPA’s application, the CPUC will open a proceeding, consider the information presented by NANPA and comments from the public, and issue a Proposed Decision for CPUC vote. After the CPUC has made its decision, service providers are required to implement the new area code within a specified period, usually within one year.
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The CPUC has directed approximately 85 percent of the revenues generated from the sale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances allocated to the investor-owned electric utilities to households as a both rate reduction and a semi-annual “ climate dividend
As part of the California Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade program, the ARB allocated allowances to the state’s electric distribution utilities to help compensate electricity customers for the costs that will be incurred under Cap-and-Trade. The investor-owned electric utilities are required to sell all of their allowances at ARB’s quarterly auctions, and the proceeds from the auction are to be used for the benefit of retail ratepayers, consistent with the goals of Assembly Bill 32. The total amount of revenue to be returned to ratepayers between 2013 and 2020 is expected to range from $5.7 billion to $22.6 billion.
For most non-residential customers, the CPUC’s decision today follows the “polluter pays” principle by reflecting the cost of GHG emission allowances in rates. By putting a price on GHG pollution, this approach maintains the incentive provided by the Cap-and-Trade program to reduce total GHG emissions through increased efficiency and greater reliance on clean generating technologies. Preserving the carbon price signal is critical to providing appropriate incentives for businesses and individuals to reduce GHG emissions when making decisions regarding their energy use.
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