Public Advisor's Office

	The Public Advisor's Office provides procedural information and advice to individuals and groups who want to participate in formal PUC proceedings. We also keep the Commission informed of barriers that prevent effective public participation. In addition we provide programs and services to educate and assist the public, including special accommodations and interpreter services. Our staff can help answer your questions, help you locate information, or refer you to an appropriate staff person. The duties of the Public Advisor’s Office are mandated by Public Utilities Code Section 321, which states: “The office of the public advisor shall assist members of the public and ratepayers who desire to testify before or present information to the commission in any hearing or proceeding of the commission. The public advisor shall advise the commission on procedural matters relating to public participation in proceedings of the commission…The public advisor and executive director shall publicize the commission's programs for encouraging and supporting participation in the commission's proceedings.”
Karen Miller, Public Advisor

We want to hear from you

Our mission is to provide your informal comments to the Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judges.  The two ways to provide informal comments are:

1. Written informal comments - can be sent through email or Postal Service (see bottom of page for addresses). 
   Written informal comments are the most effective way to thoroughly and accurately communicate your views.  There is no page limit.  Written comments carry the same weight as verbal comments provided at public events.
   
2. Verbal informal comments - Verbal informal comments can be made at public participation hearings, during the public comment session of Commission voting meetings, and other Commission forums which have designated public comment sessions.
   There are usually time limits placed on public speakers at these meetings.  Sometimes the time limit can be as little as one or two minutes.

How your comments are processed

The Commission has different processes in place for the various ways informal comments are made by the public.  You might be interested to understand these differences.

• Written informal comments are circulated to appropriate decision-makers and if they pertain to a specific proceeding they become part of its official record, although they do not have the same weight as comments from parties to the proceeding.
  
• Public comments made at public participation hearings are transcribed and made part of the official record for that particular proceeding, although they do not have the same weight as comments from parties to the proceeding.
  
• Public comments made at Commission voting meetings are recorded on the webcast archives of the meetings posted on-line.

Participation at CPUC Public Events

• Information about CPUC Voting Meetings
• What to Expect at Public Participation Hearings
• Public Participation Hearings

Tracking issues of interest

• Subscribe to Documents - This is a free service that provides you electronic updates on issues you select.  This is a simple alternative to being on a formal service list, and provides a broader variety of issues from which to choose.  You can select a specific proceeding or issue, type of industry (such as water, or energy), or a variety of Commission generated documents (such as news releases, daily calendars, or agendas of meetings). Read our Subscription Service Brochure for more information.

Tools for formal participation

• Practitioner's Page - Information for both new and veteran practitioners (people who participate in formal CPUC proceedings).  Explains processes for submitting formal filings, such as applications, protests, and requests to intervene.
  
• Intervenor Compensation – Information about eligibility requirements for compensation for individuals or groups that participate in proceedings before the CPUC involving electric, gas, water, and telephone utilities.
  
• PUC Rules of Practice and Procedure - On February 24, 2011 the CPUC adopted Resolution ALJ-260 to amend the Rules.  Appendix A of the Resolution has strikeout notation showing the changes. 
  
• "Access CPUC" – This video provides information about the CPUC and its programs, how to file complaints, and how to participate in CPUC proceedings. The following topics are covered in the video:
  - Chapter 1: Welcome to the CPUC
  - Chapter 2: Filing a Complaint
  - Chapter 3: Filing an Expedited Complaint
  - Chapter 4: Alternative Dispute Resolution
  - Chapter 5: Protesting an Application
  You can watch the video on-line or request a free DVD by contacting the Public Advisor’s Office.
  
  

Other Services Provided by the Public Advisor’s Office

• TEAM and CHANGES – Information on in-language education and complaint resolution assistance programs CPUC provides to limited English proficient and non-English speaking consumers about their telecommunications and energy (electric and gas) services.
  
• Bilingual Services and Special Accommodations – CPUC provides accommodations (such as American Sign Language and language interpreters) to individuals who need assistance attending and participating in its public meetings.  The request must be submitted to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov at least three business days before the event.

Contact Information for Public Advisor’s Office

Telephone: 866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074
Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Postal Service: CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2103, San Francisco, CA 94102

TTY 866-836-7825