Office of
the Safety Advocate (2016-2019)
Christopher Parkes, Director
The Office of the Safety Advocate (OSA) was created in response to Senate Bill 62 (Chapter 806, Statutes of 2016) to advocate, on behalf of the interest of public utility customers, for the continuous and cost-effective improvement of the safety management and safety performance of public utilities.
Per statute, Public Utilities Code (PUC) 309.8 was enacted in 2016 and required the division to:
- Intervene in CPUC proceedings to advocate for effective public utility safety management and infrastructure improvements and for the transparency of safety information;
- Recommend improvements to the CPUC's safety management policies and procedures and safety culture; and
- Sponsor testimony and exhibits in CPUC proceedings on safety related risks to assist the CPUC in holding public utilities accountable for their safe operation.
Pursuant to the same statute, OSA sunsetted on January 1, 2020 and PUC 309.8 was repealed.
The experience and expertise of staff who were part of OSA have been integrated into the CPUC’s ongoing and future safety policy, enforcement, and regulatory activities.