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Emerging Issues Forum

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Emerging Issues Forum


The CPUC's Emerging Issues Forum provides an opportunity for CPUC staff and industry experts to share ideas on topics outside of the CPUC's formal regulatory or rulemaking processes in the industries the Commission regulates: communications, energy, transportation, and water. The goal of the Forum is to provide proactive leadership on emerging policy issues of broad importance to the Commission, Industry and the public, and support sound, long-term policy development through independent research and analysis. We invite members of the public to provide feedback. For general comments and questions, or to suggest issues for consideration, send an email to emergingissues@cpuc.ca.gov. For comments on specific papers and issues presented by the Emerging Issues Forum, contact us through the comment form provided under each issue topic. You can also join our electronic mailing list to get updates on new postings in the Emerging Issues Forum. Current Issues with Long-Term Resource Adequacy Feb. 20, 2013: CPUC Staff Briefing Paper – A Review of Current Issues with Long-Term Resource Adequacy Water Energy Nexus This paper clarifies and further defines the energy water nexus and identifies the key issue for improving the overall efficiency of the nexus, both technical and economic efficiency. The paper recommends the challenge is more closely defined as managing the water-energy portfolio – balancing the technical constraints with the economic value of water and energy services. A portfolio management approach does not strictly rank potential opportunities, but rather balances the risks and opportunities of water and energy systems in order to achieve a broad set of objectives: such as preserving and extending the water supply, leveraging energy services to mitigate water scarcity, and reduce overall emissions. Presentation on the Water Energy Nexus paper Energy Data Center Briefing Paper This Briefing Paper recommends that the CPUC open a proceeding to consider the creation of an Energy Data Center and the benefits it can offer, while staying within the confines of existing privacy statutes and CPUC rules. Cybersecurity and Regulation The CPUC's Grid Planning and Reliability Policy Paper on Cybersecurity and the Evolving Role of State Regulation: How it Impacts the California Public Utilities Commission. Utility Workforce Development – Should the CPUC Play a Role in this Issue? As the utility workforce ages and workers are leaving at a faster pace than people entering the workforce, one important question remains unanswered: Are the four investor-owned utilities regulated by the CPUC prepared and equipped to handle the potential labor shortage? This paper discusses this issue. Pre-Pay Programs for Electricity Service This paper reviews pre-pay programs for electricity service. Trends in Utility Infrastructure Financing Similar to the rest of the country, California is nearing the end of useful life of its utility infrastructure, much of which has been built over the past century. This paper will discuss three financing options that can be used to potentially reduce the cost of upgrading utility infrastructure. Electricity Use and Income: A Review The study of relationship between residential electricity demand and income is important as it helps to better understand welfare implications of various policies. This paper examies these issues. Rate Case Memo This memo discusses whether the current General Rate Case plan meets the objectives of the CPUC. USF Reform The Federal Communications Commission will soon begin considering proposals to reform both the manner in which Universal Service Fund revenues are collected from customers, and the types of services eligible for subsidy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impacts of different reform proposals on California customers.

The CPUC's Emerging Issues Forum provides an opportunity for CPUC staff and industry experts to share ideas on topics outside of the CPUC's formal regulatory or rulemaking processes in the industries the Commission regulates: communications, energy, transportation, and water. The goal of the Forum is to provide proactive leadership on emerging policy issues of broad importance to the Commission, Industry and the public, and support sound, long-term policy development through independent research and analysis.

We invite members of the public to provide feedback. For general comments and questions, or to suggest issues for consideration, send an email to emergingissues@cpuc.ca.gov. For comments on specific papers and issues presented by the Emerging Issues Forum, contact us through the comment form provided under each issue topic.

You can also join our electronic mailing list to get updates on new postings in the Emerging Issues Forum.

Current Issues with Long-Term Resource Adequacy

Feb. 20, 2013: CPUC Staff Briefing Paper – A Review of Current Issues with Long-Term Resource Adequacy

Water Energy Nexus

This paper clarifies and further defines the energy water nexus and identifies the key issue for improving the overall efficiency of the nexus, both technical and economic efficiency. The paper recommends the challenge is more closely defined as managing the water-energy portfolio – balancing the technical constraints with the economic value of water and energy services. A portfolio management approach does not strictly rank potential opportunities, but rather balances the risks and opportunities of water and energy systems in order to achieve a broad set of objectives: such as preserving and extending the water supply, leveraging energy services to mitigate water scarcity, and reduce overall emissions.

Presentation on the Water Energy Nexus paper

Energy Data Center Briefing Paper

This Briefing Paper recommends that the CPUC open a proceeding to consider the creation of an Energy Data Center and the benefits it can offer, while staying within the confines of existing privacy statutes and CPUC rules.

Cybersecurity and Regulation

The CPUC's Grid Planning and Reliability Policy Paper on Cybersecurity and the Evolving Role of State Regulation: How it Impacts the California Public Utilities Commission.

Utility Workforce Development – Should the CPUC Play a Role in this Issue?

As the utility workforce ages and workers are leaving at a faster pace than people entering the workforce, one important question remains unanswered: Are the four investor-owned utilities regulated by the CPUC prepared and equipped to handle the potential labor shortage? This paper discusses this issue.

Pre-Pay Programs for Electricity Service

This paper reviews pre-pay programs for electricity service.

Trends in Utility Infrastructure Financing

Similar to the rest of the country, California is nearing the end of useful life of its utility infrastructure, much of which has been built over the past century. This paper will discuss three financing options that can be used to potentially reduce the cost of upgrading utility infrastructure.

Electricity Use and Income: A Review

The study of relationship between residential electricity demand and income is important as it helps to better understand welfare implications of various policies. This paper examies these issues.

Rate Case Memo

This memo discusses whether the current General Rate Case plan meets the objectives of the CPUC.

USF Reform

The Federal Communications Commission will soon begin considering proposals to reform both the manner in which Universal Service Fund revenues are collected from customers, and the types of services eligible for subsidy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impacts of different reform proposals on California customers.

The Case for Diesel Vehicles in California

This paper investigates the potential benefits of expanded diesel and biodiesel vehicle adoption in California as the state works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under AB 32.

If you would like to make comments on the paper and this issue, please do so through our comment form. These comments will be viewable by the public.

You can see comments submitted by others on the topic discussion page.

Implementing a Public Goods Charge for Water

This paper explores the appropriateness of the implementation of a public goods charge for water and how such a mechanism might be implemented in order to achieve water conservation and efficiency measures specified in AB32.

If you would like to make comments on the paper and this issue, please do so through our comment form. These comments will be viewable by the public.

You can see comments submitted by others on the topic discussion page.

Advanced Meters

On October 25, 2010 the CPUC's Policy and Planning Division released a working paper titled Advanced Meters: How Customers Benefit. The paper is intended to be the first in a series that will examine the potential benefits that result from the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure in California.

If you would like to make comments on the paper and this issue, please do so through our Advanced Meters comment form. These comments will be viewable by the public.

You can see comments submitted by others on the topic discussion page.

Electric Energy Storage

On July 9, 2010, the CPUC's Policy and Planning Division released a white paper titled Electric Energy Storage: An Assessment of Potential Barriers and Opportunities. The 10-page paper looks at the current state of energy storage technology, the current and expected demands for improved technology and the hurdles to achieved the needed growth.

If you would like to make comments on the paper and this issue, please do so through our Electric Energy Storage comment form. These comments will be viewable by the public.

You can see comments submitted by others on the topic discussion page.

Electric Vehicles

On May 22, 2009, the CPUC's Policy and Planning Division released a white paper titled Light-duty Vehicle Electrification in California: Potential Barriers and Opportunities. The 74-page paper investigated the history of electric vehicle infrastructure in California, and outlayed major issues going forward.

Comments on the paper were accepted in 2009, and have been posted on the CPUC website.

For more information on the CPUC's electric and alternative fueled vehicle proceedings, see our AFV page.

Last Modified: 2/20/2013