FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC TO FOCUS ON DIVERSITY ISSUES AT UPCOMING HEARING

SAN FRANCISCO, September 5, 2007 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), in its ongoing efforts to promote diversity in utility company practices, will hold its fifth public hearing regarding diversity issues affecting regulated utilities and other entities. This year's theme is "Assuring Diversity - Growing California's Future Leaders".

WHEN: Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority 1 Gateway Plaza, 3rd Floor

Los Angeles

At this meeting the PUC will introduce the California Aspire Achieve Lead (CaAAL) Pipeline Project. The project is an innovative education and mentoring program that seeks to encourage and develop young people for careers in the legal profession, financial services, and information technology by providing educational opportunities for students from pre-school through graduate school.

The California Public Employees Retirement System, the California Department of Insurance, and the State Bar of California are co-hosting this hearing as founding members of the CaAAL Pipeline project with the PUC.

Representatives of industry, government, academia, labor, community-based organizations, and other interested parties are expected to attend the hearing. Members of the public are also invited to attend. A session for public comment will be included.

More information, including an agenda, will be forthcoming and posted to our website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/supplierdiversity/index.htm.

If special arrangements are needed, such as sign and language interpreters, please contact the PUC's Public Advisor's Office at (866) 849-8390 or (415) 703-2074, or by e-mail at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov at least three days prior to the event.

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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