Posts Tagged: California Public Utilities Commission

Opinion

California PUC service quality rules won’t age well for small business innovation

Image by T. Schneider

OPINION – California is in the midst of a once-in-a-generation investment to help ensure everyone has access to broadband services, and the desire for improved connectivity is universal. However, an ongoing California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) docket on broadband service quality regulations threatens to undermine the commendable progress being made to narrow the digital divide and could impose undue costs on small businesses and consumers across the state.

Podcast

Are California’s electricity rates about to skyrocket?

De-focused electricity transmission towers in countryside at sunset, panoramic landscape. AChanPhoto, Shutterstock

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Loretta Lynch, the former President of the California Public Utilities Commission is sounding the alarm on a proposed change to California’s commercial electricity providers’ rate structure that, she says, will dramatically increase rates for electricity customers. Now, Lynch and others are urging the CPUC to intervene before it’s too late.

Opinion

CPUC’s undergrounding limit will make housing shortage worse

Image by azrin_aziri

OPINION – As Californians grapple with a seemingly insurmountable housing shortage, we cannot ignore the related urgent need to address the growing risk of devastating wildfires. The California Building Industry Association (CBIA) firmly believes that tackling wildfire risks head-on is a vital step towards finding solutions to our housing crisis.

Opinion

CPUC decision will help make broadband more affordable and available to Californians

Fast Internet, image by alphaspirit.it

OPINION – The CPUC recently approved measures to marry state and federal broadband subsidies. Its decision allows eligible Californians dual enrollment to the state`s Lifeline program and the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This pilot is a massive value that comes at no cost to the consumer.

Opinion

California needs more community solar. A lot more.

Solar farm in Napa, CA. Image by Noah Sauve

OPINION – California’s utility regulator has an opportunity to tackle housing costs and energy affordability challenges all while enhancing the state’s leading efforts at addressing climate change. California must take all necessary steps to expedite that access by adopting strong community solar plus storage program design.

Podcast

ROADMAP 2035: A conversation with CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds

ROADMAP 2035, Keynote. CPUC Commisssioner John Reynolds in conversation with Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol Weekly

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference examining California’s climate goals: ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California’s Zero Emissions Goals? which was held in Sacramento at the California Endowment Conference Center on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This is the Keynote, a conversation between California Public Utilities Commissioner John Reynolds and Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen.

Opinion

The then and now of California broadband

Photo by Sinart Creative via Shutterstock

The Legislature and Governor should utilize the budget process to reconsider whether the current state plan can reasonably achieve 100% broadband availability, in light of the worsening condition of the state budget.

Opinion

California pondering limits on low-income broadband subsidies

A person uses a laptop computer to go online and search for housing. (Photo: Tada Images, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: Expanding broadband access is key to advancing equity in our increasingly digital society. So why are California regulators taking steps to restrict the use of federal and state broadband subsidies to support communities that need them most, effectively widening the digital divide?

Opinion

For water conservation, lawmakers should okay ‘decoupling’

Amid a drought, a leaking hose in Scotts Valley, a Santa Cruz County area south of San Jose. (Photo: Michael Barajas, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: With climate change, our boom and bust cycle of rainy vs dry years will mean fewer rainy years and longer, more frequent dry years. We’ve all been doing our part to conserve water during this drought, but according to figures provided by state water regulators, it’s not enough.

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