CPUC Safety Intervenor Workshop
September 15, 2016, 1 p.m. – 4:30
p.m.
CPUC
Courtyard Room, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Listen-only:
877-715-0719, passcode 7031713
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
for the last few years has been exploring ways of expanding the participation
of safety related intervenors in relevant CPUC proceedings. For example,
in July 2015, CPUC staff distributed a Solicitation for Input seeking informal
feedback on potentially expanding the role of safety intervenors and asking
whether there are specific organizations that could serve as safety
intervenors, whether the CPUC should require certain competencies of safety
intervenors, and whether potential safety intervenors experience barriers to
their participation. Earlier in 2016 the CPUC, working with the
Legislature, receive approval to establish its own Safety Advocate.
The intent of this workshop is two-fold. During
the first half, interested stakeholders will brainstorm an effective way to
establish this new Safety Advocate. During the second half there will be a
discussion about opportunities and challenges surrounding the potential
participation of other safety intervenors in relevant CPUC proceedings. This
workshop is required as part of the CPUC’s 2016 Safety Action Plan – Action
Item #7.
Agenda
This will be an interactive workshop divided into
two parts:
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. –
Discussion on formation of Safety Advocate
This will be a brainstorming session led by Tom
Long of TURN and Tony Marino of Senator Jerry Hill’s office. Marzia Zafar,
Director of the CPUC’s Policy & Planning Division, will introduce the
thinking behind this Division followed by Tom Long and Tony Marino giving their
vision. Each will have five minutes to present followed by a group discussion
on how best to form and utilize this new Division to bring more accountability
and safety to electric and gas utility service. Some questions to think about
are:
- What types
of proceedings should the Safety Advocate focus on?
- Is the Safety
Advocate similar to TURN and the Office of Ratepayer Advocates, or will
they bring another perspective to proceedings?
- How is the
Safety Advocate going to work with the CPUC’s Safety & Enforcement
Division?
- What type
of testimony, if any will the Safety Advocate file?
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. –
BREAK
2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. –
Discussion on barriers to participation in CPUC proceedings
This will be a brainstorming session led by Marc
Joseph of the California Coalition of Utility Employees and Evelyn Khal of
Indicated Producers. Allison Brown, the CPUC’s Public Advisor, will introduce
the issue followed by Marc Joseph and Evelyn Khal giving their perspective on
intervenor experience in CPUC proceedings. Each will have five minutes to
present followed by a group discussion on how to ensure that the record for
CPUC proceedings are expansive enough that utility ratepayers are well
represented. Some questions to think about are:
- Do we have
enough intervenors testifying in CPUC proceedings?
- Does the
CPUC process give an unfair advantage to the utility? If yes, what is the
solution for better transparency and equal footing.
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. –
Public Comment
The session is dedicated to public comment and
interaction. However, if someone didn’t get an opportunity to raise an issue
during the workshop, this is the time to do so.
Presentations