How the Public Participates in and Informs the General Rate Case Process

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has a rigorous process for scrutinizing utilities’ spending plans, approving reasonable costs entering customer rates, and determining how these costs are shared among customer groups. This process, known as a General Rate Case (GRC), is heavily informed by public input. For customers concerned about utility costs or services in their area, participating in a GRC is an excellent way to ensure that the CPUC hears and addresses these concerns. 

GRCs aim to balance the need for utility investments to provide safe and reliable service to communities, meet legislative goals, and support customer affordability. Along with robust staff analysis and a collaborative party process, customer input plays a critical role in gaining a full picture of rate change impacts. 

Throughout GRC proceedings, numerous opportunities exist for you or others to provide input on the impact of rate changes. You don’t need to be an expert or a formal party to weigh in on a GRC and can participate in several ways:

• Public Forums: For an energy GRC, the CPUC will hold several public forums, which give people an opportunity to express their opinion on issues being considered in the GRC. Public Participation Hearings (PPHs) are free, open to the public and held live and online.  You can find information on the CPUC’s Events Calendar and notices are provided on the Public Participation Hearing webpage.
• Submitting Public Comments to the Docket: You can also share input directly by submitting comments on the docket card for GRC proceedings. Comments can be submitted by visiting the CPUC online docket and entering the proceeding Alpha-numeric code (with no spaces or dashes). Proceeding numbers can be found on the webpage for the relevant active GRC proceeding. Under the “Public Comment” tab of the proceeding Docket Card, click “Add Public Comment” to enter your comment. 

Enter the proceeding number in the “Proceeding Number Search” bar

Under the “Public Comment” tab of a proceeding Docket Card, click “Add Public Comment” to enter our comment.

• Speaking at a CPUC Voting Meeting: If you wish to provide input on GRCs, you can speak in-person or by phone at a CPUC Voting Meeting. Voting Meetings take place approximately two times a month and are attended by all Commissioners. See the Events Calendar to find out when the next Voting Meeting will take place. 

Whether you have concerns about affordability, reliability, safety, or the impact of a proposed rate change on your household or community, you can share your perspective with the CPUC through these avenues.

By Liza Martin, Public Information Officer