WEBVTT 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:07.750 Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission. 00:00:09.230 --> 00:00:17.839 This is--(audio cuts out) 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.699 Operator. We can't hear you. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.850 Welcome to the California Public Commission Public 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:32.350 Voting Meeting on this day, Thursday, May 7, 2020. 00:00:37.710 --> 00:00:41.259 Alright. Good morning, everyone. We need to establish 00:00:41.259 --> 00:00:44.070 a quorum before we begin the Commission meeting. So I'm 00:00:44.070 --> 00:00:47.070 going to ask the agenda clerk to please call the roll. 00:00:51.210 --> 00:00:53.310 Commissioner Shiroma? 00:00:53.335 --> 00:00:54.010 Present. 00:00:54.035 --> 00:00:55.619 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 00:00:55.630 --> 00:00:59.570 Present. 00:00:59.570 --> 00:01:01.840 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:02.649 Present. 00:01:02.674 --> 00:01:04.974 Commissioner Randolph? 00:01:04.999 --> 00:01:05.835 Present. 00:01:05.860 --> 00:01:08.739 And President Batjer? 00:01:08.764 --> 00:01:13.060 Present. Thank you, Janae, for calling the 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:17.209 roll. We have established a quorum. Welcome to the 00:01:17.209 --> 00:01:20.299 California Public Utilities Commission. I am calling 00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:25.370 this meeting of May 7, 2020, Public Agenda Number 3460 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:30.620 to order. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home 00:01:30.629 --> 00:01:34.219 order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:38.760 and to establish consistency across the state in order 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:43.489 to slow the spread of COVID-19. As such were conducting 00:01:43.489 --> 00:01:47.370 today's business meeting online by remote participation. 00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:52.719 This meeting is live streamed on CPUC website. You 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:59.590 can view the meeting at www.adminmonitor.com#ca 00:01:59.659 --> 00:02:05.760 excuse me, /ca/cpuc AdminMonitor 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:10.930 is spelled A-D-M-I-N-M-O-N-I-T-O-R 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:17.569 dot com backslash CA backslash CPUC (www.adminmonitor.com/CA/CPUC) 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:23.150 Public engagement is critical to the CPUC process. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:33.949 As the operators stated, please dial into 1-800-857-1917, 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:44.650 and enter pass code 5628905 and press *1 only. 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:48.659 If you wish to make a public comment. You will be placed 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:51.810 into a queue and will be called upon to speak when we 00:02:51.810 --> 00:02:55.360 get to the Public Comment period of today's agenda. 00:02:56.469 --> 00:03:00.229 Email comments received by 10 AM this morning will 00:03:00.229 --> 00:03:04.110 be read by the Public Advisor, Allison Brown, during 00:03:04.110 --> 00:03:07.740 the Public Comment period. Email comments received 00:03:07.750 --> 00:03:11.389 after 10 AM will be distributed to the Commissioners 00:03:11.590 --> 00:03:14.939 and senior management. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:18.979 It's been about seven weeks since the statewide stay 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:23.169 at home order was issued. Using the latest indicators 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:26.900 Governor Newsom announced the move to Stage 2, 00:03:26.909 --> 00:03:31.169 which would allow the gradual re-opening of lower-risk 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:34.289 workplaces. The Governor will release public health 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:39.409 guidance for certain Stage 2 sectors, including certain 00:03:39.409 --> 00:03:44.110 retail manufacturing and logistics businesses. 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:47.840 Businesses and employers in those sectors will be able 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:52.259 to reopen as soon as Friday, which is tomorrow, if they 00:03:52.270 --> 00:03:56.110 can meet the guidelines provided by the state and the 00:03:56.110 --> 00:04:00.689 Governor. Other Stage 2 sectors, such as offices, 00:04:00.969 --> 00:04:04.759 schools, and dine-in restaurants are not part of this 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:09.719 reopening but will be in a later phase. The Governor 00:04:09.729 --> 00:04:13.710 also noted that counties can choose to continue more 00:04:13.710 --> 00:04:17.680 restrictive measures in place, based on their local 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:21.990 conditions, and the state expects some counties to 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.800 keep their more robust stay-at-home orders in place 00:04:26.810 --> 00:04:33.120 beyond May 8. Here at the CPUC, we are examining strategies 00:04:33.129 --> 00:04:37.149 for when re-opening of the office can happen, and 00:04:37.490 --> 00:04:40.970 what that may indeed entail. Executive Director 00:04:40.970 --> 00:04:44.430 Stebbins is working with the Deputy Executive Directors 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:48.439 to explore necessary actions to take before employees 00:04:48.449 --> 00:04:53.300 can return and steps needed to keep staff safe when 00:04:53.310 --> 00:04:58.259 in the office. Whatever action we take will be in compliance 00:04:58.430 --> 00:05:02.329 with state protocol and the guidelines. The latest 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:05.259 action by the Governor to reopen certain businesses 00:05:05.269 --> 00:05:09.209 is encouraging. However, we must remain vigilant in 00:05:09.209 --> 00:05:12.939 order to continue to bend and flatten the curve. We 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:17.839 must continue stay at home except for essential needs 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.740 and activities, practice social distancing, which means 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:26.589 at least six feet apart, wash hands with soap and water 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:33.040 for a minimum of 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, 00:05:33.050 --> 00:05:38.970 nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 00:05:38.970 --> 00:05:43.180 The Commission understands that this crisis and its 00:05:43.189 --> 00:05:47.329 impact to its customers will likely continue to 00:05:47.329 --> 00:05:51.509 evolve. I want to assure the public that this agency 00:05:51.509 --> 00:05:55.310 is committed to continuing to take the necessary actions 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:59.279 to match the urgency and the gravity of the issue at 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:03.620 hand. Finally, I would like to take a moment to thank 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:08.959 the CPUC staff. We truly have an incredibly dedicated 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:12.829 workforce, and I am extremely proud to be serving with 00:06:12.829 --> 00:06:17.180 you. The transition to a new work reality has not been 00:06:17.189 --> 00:06:21.040 easy, and you've proven to be adroit at adapting to 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:24.300 your new working environment while continuing to carry 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:28.689 out the Commission's responsibilities in a timely and 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:33.370 awesome manner. I am just in awe of the commitment 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:37.050 of the CPUC staff to making things work in the name 00:06:37.050 --> 00:06:40.500 of the people we serve, and there are not enough venues 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:44.649 and opportunities to fully express my, and my fellow 00:06:44.649 --> 00:06:49.310 Commissioners, appreciation. With that, I also want to 00:06:49.310 --> 00:06:52.180 acknowledge that this is Public Service Recognition 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:56.040 Week. The pandemic has highlighted many great aspect 00:06:56.050 --> 00:07:00.350 of our state and country, and one of them is a critical 00:07:00.350 --> 00:07:03.910 role and difference made by public servants in times 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:08.720 of crisis. On behalf of the Commission I want, I would 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:12.360 like to express my gratitude to the hundreds of thousands 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.800 of public servants in the great state of California. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:20.470 As the situation evolves, we will continue to communicate 00:07:20.470 --> 00:07:24.040 with the public and stakeholders and work to ensure 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:28.199 the safe delivery of services Californians rely on 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:33.310 to conduct their daily lives. We will now turn to public 00:07:33.310 --> 00:07:39.029 comment. The Commission provides two minutes, today, 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:43.259 two minutes, for each speaker. You will hear a bell 00:07:43.269 --> 00:07:47.529 sound when your time is up. Let me repeat that: you 00:07:47.529 --> 00:07:50.600 will have two minutes to speak, and you will hear a 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:55.819 bell ring when the time is up. To make public comments, 00:07:55.819 --> 00:08:08.920 you may dial 1-800-857-1917, and enter 5628905, 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:14.639 and press *1. Email comments received by 10 Am 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.240 this morning will be read after we take the telephone 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:23.899 calls, they will be read by Public Advisor Brown. CPUC 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:27.379 rules do not allow for parties in proceedings to speak 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:31.060 about open proceedings. The public can make comments 00:08:31.069 --> 00:08:35.169 addressing items on the consent and regular agendas, 00:08:35.549 --> 00:08:40.909 including items not on the agenda. Please note that 00:08:40.909 --> 00:08:48.220 there will not be public comment on items 14, 34, 35, 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:55.200 39, and any item on the closed session agenda. With 00:08:55.210 --> 00:08:58.940 that guidance in mind, I welcome today's speakers. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.980 I will now turn to the operator to open the public 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:05.690 comment telephone line. Operator, will you please introduce 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:09.840 the first caller? 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:13.549 The public comment lines are now open. The first call 00:09:13.549 --> 00:09:18.049 that comes from Benjamin Bank, East Bay Democrats. 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:23.940 You--(audio cuts out) 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:27.639 Operator, you may need to speak up a little bit. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.399 Do you hear me? 00:09:29.424 --> 00:09:31.309 I can now. But you were faint earlier. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:35.090 So would you please have the first speaker join us. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:37.527 Have you opened that line? 00:09:37.552 --> 00:09:39.173 Yes, Mr. Benjamin Banks, 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:45.539 East Bay Democrat Socialist of America. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:50.049 Hi. Good morning. Thank you for having me today 00:09:50.049 --> 00:09:53.990 and for having this Public Comment period. I'm 00:09:54.019 --> 00:10:01.730 calling in in response to the current PG&E 00:10:01.730 --> 00:10:06.350 bankruptcy proceedings. So, since this Commission 00:10:06.350 --> 00:10:09.460 holds power over PG&E and has an opportunity to 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:12.799 transform our energy system to one that meets the needs 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:16.299 of Californians in this time of crisis, especially 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:20.450 under COVID and climate change. I ask that you 00:10:20.990 --> 00:10:26.820 reject PG&E's restructuring proposal. The 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:29.389 deal that they're putting in front of you will push 00:10:29.389 --> 00:10:33.149 the cost of the bankruptcy on to fire victims and ratepayers, 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:38.220 and it will allow corporate executives and shareholders, who 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.870 are in charge, to continue making the decisions that 00:10:40.870 --> 00:10:45.590 caused the fires in the first place. And there's 00:10:45.590 --> 00:10:49.799 just no way we can trust PG&E to handle another 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:53.129 fire season, especially in the midst of COVID. So 00:10:53.129 --> 00:10:56.600 we ask, or I ask, that you reject this terrible deal. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:00.669 Please. Unless we can make some major changes that 00:11:00.669 --> 00:11:05.740 truly protect survivors and ratepayers. Ratepayers 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:08.600 need to be protected and not forced to pay for the 00:11:08.610 --> 00:11:12.299 failures of PG&E. So any plan should be amended 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:16.179 to ensure true ratepayer neutrality and no additional 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:18.950 charges should be added to ratepayer utility bills for 00:11:18.950 --> 00:11:22.500 repayment of bonds, as was done in the previous Chapter 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:26.370 11 bankruptcy settlement. If ratepayers are forced to 00:11:26.370 --> 00:11:29.070 pay the bankruptcy debt, they should be given a share 00:11:29.070 --> 00:11:31.620 of ownership of the company to make decisions about 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:34.240 its finances. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:38.200 I also ask that, in this moment of public health crisis, 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:41.789 vulnerable households be protected. Any plan should 00:11:41.789 --> 00:11:44.309 recognize that energy is a Human Right under shelter 00:11:44.309 --> 00:11:47.350 in place orders where people need to use electricity 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:52.169 for food, work and school, especially amidst loss of 00:11:52.169 --> 00:11:55.559 ratepayer incomes due to the pandemic. And any plan should 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.850 include debt forgiveness for vulnerable households. 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:11.580 I echo the demand--(loud beeping drowns out voice) 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.981 That is a 00:12:12.993 --> 00:12:15.039 signal that your time is up. If you could 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:19.210 if you could bring your remarks to a close, that 00:12:19.210 --> 00:12:20.544 would be helpful. 00:12:20.569 --> 00:12:23.370 Sure. Then just quickly, any 00:12:23.370 --> 00:12:26.769 deal for PG&E should put the needs of fire survivors 00:12:26.769 --> 00:12:29.100 and the public first or it should be rejected. Thank 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.505 you. 00:12:30.530 --> 00:12:34.720 Thank you. Operator, could you bring the next 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.870 caller on the line, please? 00:12:37.870 --> 00:12:44.019 The next caller comes from Sean Lazarow. You may speak. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:49.850 Shauna Lazarow? 00:12:49.875 --> 00:12:52.519 Hi. Good. Yes. Good morning. This is Shauna 00:12:52.529 --> 00:12:55.769 Lazarow with Communities for a Better Environment. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:59.730 Thanks so much for your time this morning. And I hope 00:12:59.730 --> 00:13:06.200 you all are well. I'm here to offer comment on 00:13:06.210 --> 00:13:12.830 the PG&E OII proposed decisions. Full disclosure, 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:15.850 Communities for a Better Environment, along with Saha 00:13:15.850 --> 00:13:20.149 and E-Pen, have moved for party status in that proceeding, 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:23.750 but we have not yet received a decision, so we're not 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:28.559 parties to the proceeding. So these comments are offered 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:32.549 in the spirit of public comment at the moment. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:36.600 I wanted to take a moment this morning to address 00:13:36.710 --> 00:13:40.909 some of the sort of stark flaws in the proposed decision 00:13:40.909 --> 00:13:45.649 and the plan going forward. The PD, as you all know, 00:13:45.789 --> 00:13:51.659 is proposing to prove PG&E's reorganization plan, 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:59.620 and one of the really serious concerns that Communities 00:13:59.629 --> 00:14:02.740 for a Better Environment and our members have with 00:14:02.750 --> 00:14:07.950 this reorganization plan is the conclusion that, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:12.659 in general, the reorganization plan doesn't do 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:16.279 very much specifically or directly to affect local 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:22.350 communities. That's a big flaw. The PD identifies it. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:28.740 It still proposes to approve that 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:33.850 plan. There's a mandate in this proceeding, a statutory 00:14:33.850 --> 00:14:40.500 mandate, that this reorganization be beneficial overall 00:14:40.710 --> 00:14:44.799 to the communities in the area served by PG&E. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:49.240 So our communities, our environmental justice communities, 00:14:49.250 --> 00:14:52.679 our disadvantaged communities in PG&E territory are 00:14:52.690 --> 00:14:58.210 already bearing the brunt--(loud bell)--the electricity system and 00:14:58.210 --> 00:15:07.139 the reorganization--(loud bell)--be adopted--(loud bell)-- 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:10.102 solutions to these communities. Thank you. 00:15:10.127 --> 00:15:11.090 Thank you 00:15:11.090 --> 00:15:22.039 very much. Operator. The next caller, please. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.549 Operator, could you bring on the next caller, please? 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:36.179 Robert, could you check and see if we have lost connection 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.752 with the operator? 00:15:37.777 --> 00:15:40.549 Yes. President Batjer, the next 00:15:40.549 --> 00:15:45.639 caller is Katarina Gaines. Youth versus Apocalypse. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:49.440 Thank you. 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.772 Hi. Can you hear me? 00:15:50.797 --> 00:15:52.793 Yes. We can. Please go forward. 00:15:53.690 --> 00:15:55.879 Hi. My name is Katarina Gaines, and I'm calling 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.350 in regards to the PG&E bankruptcy response and 00:15:58.350 --> 00:16:01.590 reorganization plan. And I hope that you reject 00:16:01.590 --> 00:16:04.399 it because we need a different PG&E because the 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:07.309 current one has proved on many occasions to be dangerous and 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:10.870 unaccountable. PG&E needs to be held responsible for 00:16:10.870 --> 00:16:13.500 the immense impact it has on people in California. 00:16:13.509 --> 00:16:17.159 And they need to compensate wildfire survivors 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:20.639 fully for the utility damage that they caused. California 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:23.080 wildfires are proven to grow far more dangerous with 00:16:23.090 --> 00:16:26.279 the climate crisis. And we're seeing that now. PG&E 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:29.659 needs to start a just transition to clean energy 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:32.409 because it is our only realistic option for the future 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:35.049 and the price of inaction will heavily outweigh immediate 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:37.759 action. We are already seeing the beginning of the 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:40.769 transition. In 2018, coal consumption was the lowest 00:16:40.769 --> 00:16:44.379 it has been in 40 years. And last April, renewables 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:47.929 generated more electricity, even 00:16:47.929 --> 00:16:51.350 coal, for the first time. Fossil fuels are a dying industry. 00:16:51.669 --> 00:16:54.919 The transition is happening, and I am asking PG&E 00:16:54.929 --> 00:16:57.480 to allow it to happen in time. It is terrifying to 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:00.730 imagine the future of the planet and my entire generation 00:17:00.730 --> 00:17:03.009 destroyed by the climate crisis. No one deserves to 00:17:03.009 --> 00:17:05.730 live in the world that the scientists warn us up with the 00:17:05.730 --> 00:17:08.440 cost of inaction. You have the power to control whether 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.240 future generations learn from our most fatal and critical 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:13.950 mistakes, or whether they learn about how we saved 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:17.130 everyone and everything on this planet. This is in 00:17:17.130 --> 00:17:20.950 your power. And I hope that the choices you make today 00:17:21.849 --> 00:17:24.599 reflect the facts that we have been told by the scientists. 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:27.279 And I hope that you're protecting the people who need 00:17:27.509 --> 00:17:30.420 protection. And I hope that you hold PG&E accountable 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:32.662 for their actions. Thank you. 00:17:32.687 --> 00:17:34.464 Thank you, Miss Gaines 00:17:34.690 --> 00:17:44.539 Could we have the next caller? 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:47.240 Operator or Robert? Could you call the next caller, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.947 please? 00:17:47.972 --> 00:17:50.069 Yes. The next caller is Lincoln Oliver 00:17:50.069 --> 00:17:54.839 O'Neil. He is with Sunrise Movement. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:59.549 Hello. Good morning, Commissioners. And everyone who 00:17:59.549 --> 00:18:01.450 has called in. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. 00:18:01.910 --> 00:18:04.039 My name is Lincoln Oliver O' Neil and I organize 00:18:04.049 --> 00:18:06.799 with the Sunrise Movement. We are a movement of young 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:09.369 people across the country who are working to make climate 00:18:09.369 --> 00:18:13.210 change an urgent priority across America, end the exploitive 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:15.529 and extractive influence of corporate executives on 00:18:15.529 --> 00:18:18.140 our politics, and support leaders who stand up for the 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:21.130 health and well being of all people. I'm speaking to 00:18:21.130 --> 00:18:23.880 you today to urge you to reject the current plan of 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:27.000 restructuring for PG&E. In this moment, the Commission 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:30.250 holds a great deal of power over PG&E, power that 00:18:30.250 --> 00:18:34.210 did not come easily. We're here because Californians 00:18:34.210 --> 00:18:37.910 have been burned, blown up, suffocated and left without 00:18:37.910 --> 00:18:40.849 power. We're here because PG&E has demonstrated 00:18:40.849 --> 00:18:43.529 that a system that relies on turning a profit to be 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:48.299 safe does not work. I'd like to recognize the tremendous 00:18:48.309 --> 00:18:50.470 effort that the government, the Governor's office and 00:18:50.470 --> 00:18:53.160 affiliates have been doing to meet the COVID-19 crisis. 00:18:53.690 --> 00:18:55.940 Electricity is what allows us to shelter in place, 00:18:55.950 --> 00:18:58.900 allowing us to adapt to the current crisis. And in 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:02.079 this light, it is more clear than ever that electricity 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:06.259 is a matter of public safety and a human right. However, 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:10.099 19% of California's workforce have been forced to file 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:13.359 for unemployment due to this crisis. California's electricity 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:15.670 rates are already some of the highest in the country, 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:18.799 and it put a great strain on our communities. This 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:21.599 plan needs to protect the vulnerable communities by 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:24.829 including debt forgiveness for electricity bills and 00:19:24.829 --> 00:19:27.849 prevent PG&E from shifting the cost of their negligence 00:19:27.970 --> 00:19:32.440 and poor planning on to ratepayers. We echo the demands 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:36.250 of the Reclaim Our Power Campaign. Any PG&E deal 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:40.069 needs to put the needs of fire survivors and the public 00:19:40.069 --> 00:19:43.410 first, or it must be rejected. Thank you for your time. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.086 Thank you, 00:19:46.098 --> 00:19:48.000 Mr. O'Neil. Could we please have the next 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.250 caller 00:19:49.275 --> 00:19:53.024 The next caller, Helena Bareki from Sunrise 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:57.140 Movement. 00:19:57.140 --> 00:20:01.309 Good morning. I'm Helena Bareki. I volunteer 00:20:01.309 --> 00:20:03.410 with the Sunrise Movement and I'm also with Climate 00:20:03.410 --> 00:20:07.390 Reality Project and I'm a California resident. I echo 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:11.950 the comments of everybody who's talked so far. And 00:20:11.950 --> 00:20:15.619 this call also regards the PG&E bankruptcy proceedings, 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:19.450 and I urge the Commission to reject the current deal. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:23.549 We need a significantly different PG&E, quite simply, 00:20:23.769 --> 00:20:27.029 because the current PG&E is a felon convicted 00:20:27.029 --> 00:20:30.759 on multiple occasions of multiple counts of manslaughter. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:34.490 Most recently responsible for 85 deaths in the Paradise 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:37.539 Camp fire. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:40.500 Your Commission has the power to change what's expected 00:20:40.509 --> 00:20:44.190 of PG&E and other utilities, and an opportunity to 00:20:44.190 --> 00:20:47.200 help California transform our energy system to one 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:51.450 that meets our needs in this time of twin, COVID 00:20:51.670 --> 00:20:56.279 and climate change, crises. As it stands, the deal in 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:59.069 front of you pushes the cost of PG&E's bankruptcy 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:02.589 onto fire survivors and ratepayers, while keeping corporate 00:21:02.589 --> 00:21:06.109 executives and shareholders in charge, allowing them 00:21:06.109 --> 00:21:08.559 to continue making the decisions that start the fires 00:21:08.569 --> 00:21:14.299 in the first place is not acceptable. Any deal for 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:19.660 PG&E needs to ensure that the public is truly protected, 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:23.940 including changes such as making sure that impacted 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:27.470 communities, including wildfires survivors, be fully 00:21:27.470 --> 00:21:31.579 compensated for utility damages. The plan needs to 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:35.430 guarantee payment in cash, not in volatile PG&E 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:39.450 stock tied up in a trust that victims cannot even control. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:43.240 It's simply wrong to tie the future well being of people 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:46.019 to the fortunes of the company that literally sent 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:48.789 their lives and livelihood up in flames only a couple 00:21:48.789 --> 00:21:51.859 of years ago. Wouldn't it make more sense to rehabilitate 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:55.710 the utility based on the will of the people? Californians 00:21:55.710 --> 00:21:58.230 want and need a transformation of the energy system 00:21:58.230 --> 00:22:01.660 based on clean zero carbon energy and decentralized 00:22:01.670 --> 00:22:05.380 production and transmission. Without mitigating future 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:08.359 climate change--(loud ring)--common energy and responding 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:10.839 to the realities of current climate change that we 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:14.920 need (ring) decentralized transmission. We cannot keep people (ring) safe 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.789 I echo the demands of Reclaim Our Power. And thank you very much 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:23.640 for listening (ring). 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:27.230 Thank you very much for your comment. Could we move 00:22:27.230 --> 00:22:29.824 on now to the next caller, please? 00:22:29.849 --> 00:22:31.579 The next call? Eleanor 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:37.839 Thomas with Sunrise Movement. 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.809 Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Eleanor 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:44.609 and I organized with Sunrise Movement. I'm calling 00:22:44.609 --> 00:22:47.990 today to ask that the CPUC reject the current plan to 00:22:47.990 --> 00:22:51.700 restructure PG&E. PG&E needs to be held accountable 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:54.339 for the destruction caused by the fires and the power 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:58.470 outages. We ratepayers need rigorous independent and 00:22:58.470 --> 00:23:02.349 democratic oversight over our utility provider to ensure 00:23:02.349 --> 00:23:06.690 that our safety is put above profit. I also echo 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:10.400 the demands of Reclaim Our Power to reject this 00:23:10.410 --> 00:23:12.458 deal. Thank you for your time. 00:23:12.483 --> 00:23:14.393 Thank you for your comments. 00:23:14.529 --> 00:23:17.507 Appreciate it. The next caller, please. 00:23:17.532 --> 00:23:18.524 The next 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:24.779 comment comes from Griffin Walsh with Sunrise. 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:30.559 Yeah. Hey, thank you for this time and giving me 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:33.539 the opportunity to put public comment. My name is Griffin 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:37.779 Walsh with Sunrise Movement. I also wanted to 00:23:37.789 --> 00:23:43.069 say that the time, right now, really is kind 00:23:43.069 --> 00:23:46.809 of unprecedented in that it took fires and bankruptcy 00:23:46.809 --> 00:23:50.230 and a lot of suffering to gain power over restructuring 00:23:50.230 --> 00:23:54.349 PG&E, over a really entrenched system and, like, the infrastructure. 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:59.329 And I think the instinct right now in COVID 00:23:59.329 --> 00:24:01.589 is to just push things through. But we really need 00:24:01.589 --> 00:24:04.039 to protect each other. And it's really the time not 00:24:04.049 --> 00:24:07.329 to just, like, step forward with the status quo, but 00:24:07.329 --> 00:24:12.160 like, realize how we can move forward. And, for 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:14.400 that reason, I want to reject the deal. I ask to 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:18.970 reject the deal. Some of the things that I think 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:21.368 we need to do, especially in COVID, is to 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:23.779 make sure energy is like a public utility. 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:28.319 People can really count on it. In a time like this of crisis, 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:32.769 no one should be getting their energy shut off. I think a deal needs, 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:37.150 for example, include that, during crisis, people need 00:24:37.150 --> 00:24:41.890 to have energy as a right. And also, just generally support 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:44.950 system. 00:24:44.950 --> 00:24:51.160 And to support our most vulnerable. Yeah. And 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:56.289 just to reiterate, I support Reclaim Our Power and 00:24:56.630 --> 00:24:59.589 ask to shut down the PG&E deal. Thank you. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:04.450 Thank you, Mr Walsh. Could we have the next caller. Please 00:25:05.289 --> 00:25:10.240 Gina Barragan with Youth Versus Apolcalpyse. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.860 Can every hear me? 00:25:11.885 --> 00:25:13.619 I think you're a little faint. You might 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:16.170 want to speak up. 00:25:16.170 --> 00:25:18.642 How about now? 00:25:18.667 --> 00:25:19.740 Better. 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:21.655 So, hi, my name is Gina 00:25:21.667 --> 00:25:23.549 Barragan. I'm a youth, and I'm with Youth 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:27.500 versus Apocalypse. So basically I want to ask you 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:31.130 guys if we can, we need a different view because in this 00:25:31.130 --> 00:25:34.000 moment of the public health crisis, vulnerable household 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:37.009 needs to be protected. We need to act now because problems 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:40.400 are very high on public health with the pandemic. For example, 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:42.220 many people aren't working right now, and we shouldn't 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:44.930 have to worry about our energy providers giving an energy 00:25:44.930 --> 00:25:47.769 source that could potentially harm us. Based on, like, shutoffs 00:25:47.769 --> 00:25:50.670 or increase of fires. Any plan should include debt 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:53.509 forgiveness for vulnerable households. We should act now 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:56.019 to make a change and not accept this deal. Personally, 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:58.960 for me, being from a low-income community, I can see 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:01.420 like, harmful effects already happening in the community 00:26:01.690 --> 00:26:04.019 due to, like, air pollution increase. And with the air 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:07.420 pollution, the fires that are currently, that reoccur, 00:26:07.430 --> 00:26:11.410 it harms my community with air pollution. 00:26:11.410 --> 00:26:13.839 We need energy as of right now, so everyone 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:16.849 can have a reliable source and not a disadvantage, 00:26:17.089 --> 00:26:21.269 because energy is a basic necessity for food and school. 00:26:21.589 --> 00:26:23.950 For example, now that all my classes are online, I should 00:26:23.950 --> 00:26:27.940 be able to have a reliable energy source. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:31.559 Another thing is Californians need to, a true safety from utility 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:34.710 caused fires, smoke, and shutoffs. The power shut off from last 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.710 fall affected me, especially because I was on a school 00:26:36.710 --> 00:26:40.569 trip, and we all had to adjust differently, our whole system, because 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.759 we were away. And we needed that energy, but we had a 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:45.619 hard time. As we were trying to contact our loved ones 00:26:45.630 --> 00:26:48.940 back home. We shouldn't have to deal with this. Right 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.339 now, as a Commission, you have that power to change 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:53.980 that and allow a safer source of electricity. Not 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:56.460 only that, but the increase in fires is impacting my community 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:59.690 again because fires burn, and then, they cause more 00:26:59.690 --> 00:27:04.240 smoke and air pollution. And then they cause 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:06.680 more health effects. The air pollution in my community 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:09.440 of East Palo Alto is already bad. This increase of fires 00:27:09.650 --> 00:27:12.269 can potentially threaten children and people 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:15.650 as well as pregnant women and others at risk due to 00:27:15.650 --> 00:27:19.869 health issues--(ring)--for medically vulnerable 00:27:19.910 --> 00:27:22.670 households, comprehensive community engagement--(ring)-- 00:27:22.670 --> 00:27:25.829 my communities. I like to finish by 00:27:25.829 --> 00:27:27.980 saying I echo the demands of Reclaim Our Power 00:27:28.009 --> 00:27:30.434 campaign. Any PG&E--(ring)--need 00:27:30.446 --> 00:27:33.720 the fire survivors and public first. Thank 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.842 you for your time. 00:27:34.867 --> 00:27:37.234 Thank you very much for your comments 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:41.661 May we please have the next caller. 00:27:41.686 --> 00:27:43.240 Steve Unger with 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:47.539 Local Clean Energy Alliance. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:50.240 Good morning. Thank you for letting me speak today. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:54.250 I want to echo all the comments made by all the speakers 00:27:54.250 --> 00:27:58.130 opposing this reorganization of PG&E. I agree with 00:27:58.130 --> 00:28:03.369 them completely. I am a 25 year member of several labor 00:28:03.369 --> 00:28:06.630 unions. I am a union member and also an advocate for 00:28:06.630 --> 00:28:10.500 clean energy and climate justice. I also want to add 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:13.960 that this plan will continue to reward those that profit 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:17.200 from PG&E's negligence. It will continue to punish 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:20.220 those who suffer, including frontline communities, 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:23.950 those impacted by wildfires. And it will not help the 00:28:23.950 --> 00:28:26.849 PG&E workers either. They will continue to be 00:28:26.849 --> 00:28:29.910 blamed for the failures of their employers. Reject 00:28:29.910 --> 00:28:32.588 this reorganization plan. Thank you very much. 00:28:32.613 --> 00:28:33.481 Thank 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:37.905 you, sir. May we please have the next caller. 00:28:37.930 --> 00:28:39.404 Isa Clarke 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:43.339 with Youth and Apocalypse. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:47.180 Hello, Good morning. My name is Lisa Clark, and I am 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:49.720 the high school student in Oakland, and I'm also a 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:53.589 part of Youth Versus Apocalypse. We cannot continue to 00:28:53.589 --> 00:28:56.549 allow PG&E to function how it has in the past 00:28:56.940 --> 00:29:00.009 because those practices have caused them to go bankrupt 00:29:00.089 --> 00:29:03.849 and have cost the lives of too many Californians. So 00:29:03.849 --> 00:29:07.700 I'm acting you to reject the deal with PG&E. I 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:10.500 lived in West Oakland, which is a community that is 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:14.650 predominantly low income and of color. We have fatality 00:29:14.650 --> 00:29:18.119 rates of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer that 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:21.460 are higher than the county average, and we have asthma 00:29:21.470 --> 00:29:25.200 rates that are twice the county average. This health 00:29:25.210 --> 00:29:28.630 prosperity is the result of poor air quality and other 00:29:28.630 --> 00:29:32.829 manifestations of environmental racism. I say this 00:29:32.849 --> 00:29:36.309 to say that the residents of West Oakland and many 00:29:36.309 --> 00:29:39.609 other frontline communities in California do not have 00:29:39.609 --> 00:29:42.609 the luxury of waiting for the next incident caused 00:29:42.609 --> 00:29:46.890 by PG&E to happen. Neither do fire survivors or 00:29:46.890 --> 00:29:51.029 those seriously injured or killed by the shutoff. We 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:55.089 suffer the most at the expense of PG&E. Please, do 00:29:55.089 --> 00:29:58.730 not give them another opportunity to harm me and my 00:29:58.730 --> 00:30:02.990 community. I echo the demands of the Reclaim Our 00:30:02.990 --> 00:30:07.589 Power campaign and say and ask you to please reject 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:12.140 the deal with PG&E. Thank you. 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:15.390 Thank you, Miss Clark. The next caller, please. 00:30:16.490 --> 00:30:21.039 Caroline Chin with Asian Pacific 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.715 Hi. This is Caroline 00:30:22.727 --> 00:30:24.549 Chin with the Asian Pacific Environmental 00:30:24.549 --> 00:30:28.339 Network, also calling with comments on the PG&E proposed 00:30:28.349 --> 00:30:32.549 decision. It's super clear that PG&E has failed to operate 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:35.480 safely to address public safety and climate change. 00:30:35.529 --> 00:30:38.400 And like those before me, have said, unfortunately, 00:30:38.750 --> 00:30:42.230 as it stands, this plan will allow corporate executives 00:30:42.230 --> 00:30:45.710 and shareholders to continue making the types of decisions 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:49.130 that caused the fires in the first place. So we are 00:30:49.130 --> 00:30:52.049 really calling on you to reject this deal unless you make 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:55.400 major changes in order to truly protect survivors and 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:59.420 ratepayers. In this moment of public health crisis, first 00:30:59.430 --> 00:31:02.460 vulnerable households need to be protected. The plan 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:05.450 should recognize that energy is a human right, which 00:31:05.450 --> 00:31:07.940 is always true, but especially under shelter and place 00:31:07.950 --> 00:31:11.549 orders, where we're all even more reliant on electricity 00:31:11.549 --> 00:31:14.349 from everything for food to school to connecting to 00:31:14.349 --> 00:31:17.519 resources. This plan should really include debt forgiveness 00:31:17.529 --> 00:31:21.470 for vulnerable households. Ratepayers also need protection 00:31:21.509 --> 00:31:24.190 moving forward and shouldn't be forced to pay for the failures 00:31:24.190 --> 00:31:27.329 of PG&E. The plan should be amended to ensure 00:31:27.329 --> 00:31:30.470 true ratepayer neutrality that accounts for contributions 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:34.420 that ratepayers have already made. This year is also on 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:36.609 course to be the world's hottest since measurements 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:39.960 began. So we desperately need a clean, decentralized 00:31:39.970 --> 00:31:43.680 energy system. The CPUC should provide a mechanism 00:31:43.690 --> 00:31:46.640 for a transition of ownership to a model that is accountable 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:50.230 to ratepayers and workers if PG&E fails to successfully 00:31:50.230 --> 00:31:53.680 emerge from bankruptcy. This transition should be transparent 00:31:53.690 --> 00:31:56.779 equitable and immune to PG&E's attempt to delay. 00:31:57.140 --> 00:32:00.769 It should also authorize the CPUC Disadvantaged 00:32:00.769 --> 00:32:03.589 Community Advisory Committee to lay the groundwork 00:32:03.589 --> 00:32:07.240 for a utility to replace PG&E. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:10.119 We echo the demands of the Reclaim Our Power Campaign. 00:32:10.470 --> 00:32:13.240 It's really clear that any PG&E deal needs to put 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:15.930 the needs of fire survivors and the public first. Or 00:32:15.930 --> 00:32:18.549 it must be rejected. Thank you so much for your time. 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:23.970 Thank you for your comments. Operator, please, may we 00:32:23.970 --> 00:32:25.883 have the next caller. 00:32:25.908 --> 00:32:28.799 Mary Rose with Reclaim Our Power 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:32.940 Utility Justice campaign. 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:36.910 Good morning. This is Mary Rose Tarook with Reclaim 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:39.680 Our Power campaign. I'm the coordinator and proud to 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:43.930 be part of a river of dozens of speakers today and 00:32:43.930 --> 00:32:47.210 tens of thousands organizing for utility justice because 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:51.269 we believe there is an opportunity now to rebuild our 00:32:51.269 --> 00:32:54.730 energy system under the PG&E bankruptcy. The deal 00:32:54.730 --> 00:32:58.569 that you have, the plan of reorganization with PG&E, 00:32:58.579 --> 00:33:03.000 is unacceptable to us. We know that we're gonna work 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:06.210 hard to keep all of our communities intact through 00:33:06.210 --> 00:33:09.799 the climate crisis through, through the PG&E crisis, and we 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:13.440 need you, we know the power that you have as the CPUC 00:33:13.509 --> 00:33:18.920 to help bring these great ideas from communities into 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:22.500 the fore, into this plan of reorganization, and create 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:26.130 the opportunity for us to reimagine and rebuild an 00:33:26.130 --> 00:33:29.470 energy systems that meet the needs of people. So we've 00:33:29.470 --> 00:33:32.049 been studying this plan of reorganization, and we know 00:33:32.049 --> 00:33:37.009 it's complex. PG&E disaster is looming just beyond, 00:33:37.569 --> 00:33:41.109 very closely, and into the fire season, just beyond this 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:44.309 pandemic crisis. So some of the ideas that we would 00:33:44.309 --> 00:33:49.200 love to see you include in an alternative or revised 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:53.640 plan includes, 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:59.250 stronger strong wildfire safety metrics and robust 00:33:59.250 --> 00:34:02.299 requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, 00:34:02.309 --> 00:34:08.349 including replacing aged power lines, upgrades upon failure, 00:34:08.349 --> 00:34:11.889 and implementing indigenous fire management practices. 00:34:12.469 --> 00:34:16.000 The native folks here on this land that we call California 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:18.710 now have thousands of years of wisdom, and we could 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:24.989 really use their wisdom now, in our fire season. We want 00:34:24.989 --> 00:34:30.349 to see a plan that ensurers true ratepayer neutrality. 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:34.840 We want to see a plan that guarantees immediate payment 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:39.250 of claims in cash and not volatile PG&E stock 00:34:41.309 --> 00:34:46.139 (ring)--plan that recognizes that energy is a human right--(ring)--is 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:48.889 a human right. 00:34:48.889 --> 00:34:52.960 And with that, we we urge you to reject the current 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:56.219 deal and get us a better deal. Yes, you can. Yes, you 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:58.940 can. If you step lively and get us a better deal. Thank 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.080 you. 00:35:00.105 --> 00:35:03.500 Thank you for your comments. Operator, may we 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:05.315 have the next caller? 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:08.364 Tara Goody, Youth versus Apocalypse. 00:35:12.190 --> 00:35:14.102 Hi. Can you hear me? 00:35:14.127 --> 00:35:14.777 Yes, we can. 00:35:15.758 --> 00:35:17.440 Good morning. My name 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:20.929 is Sarah Goody. I am 15 years old and I organized with 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:24.909 Youth versus Apocalypse. As a young person, I'm scared 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:28.119 for my future. This climate crisis is taking away my 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:31.159 right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, 00:35:31.710 --> 00:35:34.619 and by passing the deal in its current state, you're 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:37.400 telling me that my life and the lives of the people 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:40.710 around me don't matter. Every year, when the California 00:35:40.710 --> 00:35:43.760 wildfires start, I don't know what to do other than 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:47.300 worry about which community will be hit next. I have 00:35:47.309 --> 00:35:50.289 friends and family that have been impacted by fires 00:35:50.289 --> 00:35:53.599 in Santa Rosa. Do you know how terrifying it is to 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:56.409 get a call at one in the morning that my friend just 00:35:56.409 --> 00:35:59.400 evacuated her neighborhood and is now driving down 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:02.250 the highway in traffic, as flames are everywhere and they 00:36:02.250 --> 00:36:05.719 are just trying to survive. Thousands of families have 00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:08.849 been impacted by these fires, and thousands more will 00:36:08.849 --> 00:36:11.389 be if this committee passes this deal in its current 00:36:11.409 --> 00:36:15.269 state. I have asthma, and I've been hospitalized, year 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:18.929 after year, when these fires occur. Last year, I sat with 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:22.039 my family in the blackout, wondering when that would stop. 00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:25.239 earlier this year, I was in my dance class when we 00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:29.440 heard sirens and the sirens kept coming. I cannot share 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:32.550 with you how frightening it is to sit in silence, waiting 00:36:32.550 --> 00:36:37.070 to be evacuated. I am just 15. And knowing that I might 00:36:37.070 --> 00:36:39.559 have to live with these fires for the rest of my life 00:36:39.570 --> 00:36:42.650 is beyond terrifying. There is no way to describe the 00:36:42.650 --> 00:36:45.670 fear I feel. Please show me that you care about my 00:36:45.670 --> 00:36:48.800 generation and that you will prioritize the safety 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:52.429 of my community by not passing the deal. Because any 00:36:52.429 --> 00:36:56.190 PG&E deal needs to put the needs of fire survivors 00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:59.789 and the public first. Or it must be rejected. Thank 00:36:59.789 --> 00:37:01.187 you for your time. 00:37:01.212 --> 00:37:04.139 Thank you for your comments. Operator, 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:06.068 the next caller, please. 00:37:06.093 --> 00:37:08.880 Trey Vasquez, Movement Generation. 00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:10.949 You may speak. 00:37:10.949 --> 00:37:13.519 Hello, bueos dias, good morning. My name is Trey Vasquez, 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:16.210 with Movement Generation this morning. And I'm also 00:37:16.210 --> 00:37:19.820 a resident in Santa Rosa, California, and having survived 00:37:19.829 --> 00:37:22.530 two wildfires and multiple shutoffs, I want to express 00:37:22.530 --> 00:37:25.239 to you all that I am deeply concerned about this summer 00:37:25.829 --> 00:37:28.409 and this fall and what this season hold for us 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:30.739 as we look at the impact of COVID on our community 00:37:31.269 --> 00:37:35.159 plus upcoming shut off and wildfires. What will we do when 00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:38.409 more shut offs but we need water, electricity to take 00:37:38.409 --> 00:37:40.800 the necessary health precautions to protect ourselves. 00:37:41.230 --> 00:37:43.619 What if were evacuated in the fall when the reemergence 00:37:43.630 --> 00:37:46.949 of COVID is predicted to be in full effect. 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:49.880 I'm speaking to you today because this Commission has 00:37:49.889 --> 00:37:52.429 the power to change PG&E and have an opportunity to 00:37:52.429 --> 00:37:55.190 transform our energy system into one that not only works 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:58.909 for California but will start pir lives. The deal, as of 00:37:58.909 --> 00:38:02.239 now, pushes the cost of PG&E's bankruptcy on fire survivors 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:05.000 and ratepayers that we cannot and should not have to pay 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:08.159 for. The deal allows corporate executives and shareholders 00:38:08.170 --> 00:38:10.730 to continue making decisions that will inevitably lead 00:38:10.739 --> 00:38:13.940 to more fires, and we cannot pay for these decisions out 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:17.639 of our pockets and with our lives. We're not only asking 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:20.369 you to reject this deal, we're asking you for your help, help 00:38:20.369 --> 00:38:22.369 save our communities and families that are facing a 00:38:22.369 --> 00:38:25.329 grave future and already looking at a grave present 00:38:25.329 --> 00:38:28.019 moment. You have the power to includes major changes 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:31.880 that protect survivors and ratepayers. We're asking 00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:35.050 you to consider that we need true safety from utility 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:38.630 called fire shutoffs. Any plan has to institute strong 00:38:38.630 --> 00:38:41.059 wildfire safety metrics and strict requirements for 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:44.550 utility wildfire mitigation plan, including replacing 00:38:44.550 --> 00:38:47.630 aged power lines, upgrade or immediately deenergize 00:38:47.630 --> 00:38:51.239 infrastructure upon failure, and implementing indigenous 00:38:51.250 --> 00:38:55.539 fire management practices as Mary Rose said. We're also 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:58.110 asking that be ratepayers protected and not be forced 00:38:58.119 --> 00:39:01.219 to continue to pay for the failed years of PG&E, especially 00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:04.219 in this time when we can't afford it. Any plan should 00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:08.269 be amended to ensure true ratepayer neutrality. Thank 00:39:08.269 --> 00:39:12.320 you. Please do not approve this plan. 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:15.829 Thank you very much for your comments. Operator, the 00:39:15.829 --> 00:39:18.519 next caller, please, 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:23.320 Ed Smelov. Please state your organization. 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:26.449 Good morning, Commissioners. This is Ed Smelov with 00:39:26.449 --> 00:39:30.010 Book Solar and I'm speaking today in support of Item 00:39:30.010 --> 00:39:33.739 number 13 on your agenda, which would authorize the 00:39:33.739 --> 00:39:37.570 new standard offer contract for renewable energy projects 00:39:37.570 --> 00:39:41.699 of 20 megawatts or less and bring California into compliance 00:39:41.710 --> 00:39:45.429 with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies 00:39:45.429 --> 00:39:49.179 Act, or better known by its acronym of PURPA. It's 00:39:49.190 --> 00:39:52.630 been almost 2.5 years, and now, since the federal court 00:39:52.630 --> 00:39:55.309 ruled the California was not in compliance with PURPA, 00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:59.119 and the decision before you today corrects that deficiency 00:39:59.130 --> 00:40:02.690 while balancing the need to protect ratepayers through 00:40:02.690 --> 00:40:06.320 a market based method for establishing avoided costs. 00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:10.000 It also will provide developers in qualified facilities 00:40:10.329 --> 00:40:14.199 a reasonable opportunity to develop new renewable energy 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:16.829 projects that will help California meet its climate 00:40:16.829 --> 00:40:20.500 goals. California has a long history of implementing 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:23.780 PURPA in a way that has helped transform the electric 00:40:23.780 --> 00:40:27.139 power industry into one that relies on competition 00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:30.730 and markets to drive new technology development. It's 00:40:30.739 --> 00:40:34.269 time to reinvigorate PURPA with the proposed standard 00:40:34.269 --> 00:40:37.280 offer contract decision that will offer predictable 00:40:37.510 --> 00:40:40.989 market based compensation for new community-scale 00:40:40.989 --> 00:40:43.610 renewable energy projects. There's a lot of pent up 00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:46.550 demand for community-scale renewable energy projects. 00:40:47.050 --> 00:40:49.829 As you know, the three major investor-owned utilities 00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:53.789 have not conducted renewable portfolio standard solicitations 00:40:53.789 --> 00:41:00.239 for 4, 5, 6 years, and the renewable market adjusting 00:41:00.239 --> 00:41:03.869 tariffs program, REMAT, has been suspended since December 00:41:03.869 --> 00:41:09.679 2017. After considerable progress through 2016, California's 00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:12.320 renewable energy development has been on a long pause. 00:41:12.809 --> 00:41:15.329 Some community choice aggregation entities are now 00:41:15.329 --> 00:41:18.750 stepping up their renewable procurement. Nonetheless 00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:22.329 California needs to do more to meet our important goals. 00:41:22.610 --> 00:41:25.849 Your decision today can can help put us back on the 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:28.619 path to building community scale solar in the right 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:32.539 places across the--(ring) I want to thank Judge Allen and Commissioner 00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:35.239 Rechtschaffen (ring) for working through the process and 00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:41.010 urge you to adopt item number 13. (ring) 00:41:41.010 --> 00:41:44.869 Thank you very much for your comments. Operator, please 00:41:44.869 --> 00:41:48.914 bring the next commentor online. 00:41:48.939 --> 00:41:51.214 Najic Altman. 00:41:51.809 --> 00:41:54.809 Please state your organization 00:41:54.809 --> 00:41:58.110 DSA. 00:41:58.110 --> 00:42:02.860 Yes. Commissioners, I'm a mother, grandmother, 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:06.449 and lifelong activist. And I'm really deeply moved 00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:09.579 that our young people have done the research, have 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:13.280 believed in a democracy, have written these speeches, 00:42:13.530 --> 00:42:17.960 appeal to you for their very lives and futures. 00:42:17.960 --> 00:42:21.969 We have spoken to you repeatedly about the failures 00:42:21.989 --> 00:42:26.469 PG&e. This is a critical time for humanity. Humanity 00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:29.860 and the young people are appealing to you. I know 00:42:29.860 --> 00:42:34.659 for a fact that PG&E me has continued to get away with 00:42:34.670 --> 00:42:39.880 profits over people since they started. I don't know 00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:44.760 what to say anymore to you people, except I beg you to 00:42:44.920 --> 00:42:49.369 be great people right now and listen to these young 00:42:49.369 --> 00:42:52.849 people and use your experience to bring us true public 00:42:52.849 --> 00:42:55.920 utilities that are owned by the state of California. 00:42:56.099 --> 00:42:59.510 San Francisco was always supposed to own the public 00:42:59.510 --> 00:43:02.769 utilities. PG&E has bribed politicians for over 100 00:43:02.769 --> 00:43:07.409 years against the Raker Act. I've done my research. 00:43:07.409 --> 00:43:11.440 These young people have. This is an opportunity to 00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:16.719 create a public utility. PG&E is a felon. A murderer. 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:21.260 What do you feel about that? Do you want to live this 00:43:21.260 --> 00:43:24.230 life out saying you helped the transition for these 00:43:24.230 --> 00:43:27.769 young people to not face an apocalypse? I mean, how 00:43:27.769 --> 00:43:30.500 can you listen to these words and ever possibly not 00:43:30.510 --> 00:43:34.329 support them? It breaks my heart. I hope I'm touching 00:43:34.329 --> 00:43:41.610 yours. Please do not fail them. Do not fail our future. 00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:44.635 Thank you. 00:43:44.660 --> 00:43:48.340 Thank you very much. Operator, the next 00:43:48.349 --> 00:43:49.620 caller, please. 00:43:49.645 --> 00:43:53.034 David McCord on behalf of himself. 00:43:54.349 --> 00:43:58.739 This is David McCord. I live in El Serrito. 00:43:58.739 --> 00:44:03.940 And as we work on the PG&E's wildfire mitigation, 00:44:04.219 --> 00:44:09.019 the Commission needs to require PG&E to focus not 00:44:09.019 --> 00:44:12.960 on trees, but on its transmission and distribution 00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:17.780 infastructure. Keeping vegetation the required distance 00:44:17.969 --> 00:44:22.769 from lines is important, but it's the electricity in 00:44:22.769 --> 00:44:27.869 the lines that starts fires. A perfect example. The 00:44:27.869 --> 00:44:31.590 Camp Fire sparks from a transmission tower and his 00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:36.599 dry grass and an open field. A worn C-clamp 00:44:36.989 --> 00:44:41.269 that hadn't been replaced in ages failed and let a 00:44:41.269 --> 00:44:45.570 conductor hit the tower, causing the sparks. As a personal 00:44:45.570 --> 00:44:49.989 note, the fire burned my roommates' brother out of his 00:44:49.989 --> 00:44:54.690 home in Paradise. Besides keeping the infrastructure 00:44:54.690 --> 00:44:59.050 in good repair, PG&E needs to install locks and 00:44:59.050 --> 00:45:03.880 remote sensors and false interrupters. San Diego Gas 00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:08.179 and Electric has been doing this. Why can't PG&E? In 00:45:08.179 --> 00:45:12.579 wooded areas, replace skinny six gauge distribution 00:45:12.579 --> 00:45:17.530 conductors with steel core insulated lines that will 00:45:17.530 --> 00:45:21.599 resist breaking. Thank you. 00:45:23.090 --> 00:45:26.329 Thank you, Mr McCord. Could we have the next caller 00:45:26.329 --> 00:45:28.289 please? 00:45:28.289 --> 00:45:34.090 Jonathan with Sunrise Moment. 00:45:34.090 --> 00:45:36.269 Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. My name 00:45:36.269 --> 00:45:38.550 is Jonathan Coacher and I organized with Sunrise Movement 00:45:38.550 --> 00:45:41.449 Bay Area, and I'm a rank and file member of ISPT 00:45:41.460 --> 00:45:46.070 Local 21. Californians need a transformational energy 00:45:46.070 --> 00:45:49.110 system based on clean and decentralized energy model 00:45:49.250 --> 00:45:52.320 in order to deal with the climate crisis. Large centralized 00:45:52.329 --> 00:45:55.070 systems increase the risk of climate-related wildfires 00:45:55.070 --> 00:45:57.239 by requiring transmission infrastructure that runs 00:45:57.250 --> 00:45:59.880 through the urban-rural interface, where increased 00:45:59.880 --> 00:46:02.510 fuel load and drier conditions is a perfect recipe for what 00:46:02.510 --> 00:46:05.820 occurred in both Santa Rosa and Paradise. Additionally, 00:46:05.829 --> 00:46:09.469 we need systems that are clean and renewable to prevent 00:46:09.480 --> 00:46:11.610 further increase of carbon emissions in our atmosphere 00:46:11.610 --> 00:46:14.940 which is worsening the climate crisis. Please reject 00:46:14.940 --> 00:46:17.369 the current deal to restructure PG&E and I echo 00:46:17.369 --> 00:46:19.820 the demands of the Reclaim Our Power campaign. Thank 00:46:19.820 --> 00:46:20.769 you. 00:46:20.794 --> 00:46:23.380 Thank you. 00:46:23.380 --> 00:46:25.398 Next caller, please. 00:46:25.423 --> 00:46:29.054 Darrow Gail, Citizen of Los Angeles. 00:46:30.880 --> 00:46:34.489 Hello. Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. I'm 00:46:34.489 --> 00:46:37.750 living in Los Angeles and in the first week of May, it's 00:46:37.750 --> 00:46:41.400 already in the high eighties, so we're kind of scared 00:46:41.400 --> 00:46:44.980 that we're gonna have a really long, hot summer down 00:46:44.980 --> 00:46:49.420 here. But I am concerned about item number four on 00:46:49.420 --> 00:46:53.590 the agenda. I'm very much opposed to this resolution 00:46:54.280 --> 00:47:00.650 Why? I repeat, why are these aging and brittle, dangerous 00:47:00.659 --> 00:47:04.909 Diablo Canyon reactors, which should have been inspected 00:47:04.909 --> 00:47:09.050 and then deCommissioned years ago, being proposed for 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:16.590 CCAs? No community wants this liability. PG&E, 00:47:17.179 --> 00:47:22.820 you can't prop up a rotting dead dinosaur indefinitely. 00:47:23.980 --> 00:47:28.789 Commissioners, please take note. The citizens and ratepayers 00:47:28.800 --> 00:47:35.900 of California do not trust PG&E at all. Thank you. 00:47:37.280 --> 00:47:41.505 Thank you. Next caller, please. 00:47:41.530 --> 00:47:43.780 Barbara Stebbins, California 00:47:43.789 --> 00:47:47.679 Alliance Community. You may speak. 00:47:47.679 --> 00:47:51.320 My name is Barbara Stebbins. I'm here today representing 00:47:51.320 --> 00:47:55.019 the California Alliance for Community Energy to urge 00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:59.090 Commissioners to reject PG&E's reorganization plan. 00:48:00.070 --> 00:48:04.460 We stand with the Reclaim Our Power demands and their 00:48:04.460 --> 00:48:09.769 suggestions for items that absolutely need 00:48:09.769 --> 00:48:14.820 to be included in any reorganization plan. We know 00:48:14.820 --> 00:48:17.829 that you have tremendous power in the decision to 00:48:17.829 --> 00:48:21.389 determine the future of energy in Northern California. 00:48:22.469 --> 00:48:26.019 We advocate with community choice energy programs throughout 00:48:26.019 --> 00:48:31.110 California to prioritize and develop local clean energy 00:48:31.110 --> 00:48:34.190 resources as a way to address environmental issues 00:48:34.570 --> 00:48:39.019 as well as social and racial justice and inequity within 00:48:39.030 --> 00:48:42.780 communities. Because community trace programs are 00:48:42.780 --> 00:48:47.139 governed by elected officials, local elected officials, 00:48:47.139 --> 00:48:50.000 their primary responsibility is to their customers 00:48:50.239 --> 00:48:54.019 not shareholders. These programs have already shown 00:48:54.019 --> 00:48:57.539 leadership in addressing energy resilience due to the 00:48:57.539 --> 00:49:01.670 development of local clean energy research and building 00:49:01.670 --> 00:49:05.670 economic strength at the same time. But this is one 00:49:05.670 --> 00:49:09.300 more reason to reject PG&E's reorganization plan. 00:49:09.440 --> 00:49:13.519 That company has done everything it can to impede and 00:49:13.519 --> 00:49:16.139 destroy community choice programs throughout their 00:49:16.139 --> 00:49:18.969 territory. 00:49:18.969 --> 00:49:22.530 So we face so many perils due to the impact of climate 00:49:22.530 --> 00:49:25.989 change, communities throughout PG&E territory went 00:49:25.989 --> 00:49:29.349 without power for days, even when those communities 00:49:29.349 --> 00:49:33.710 where nowhere near wildfire threats. People in many 00:49:33.710 --> 00:49:36.659 of these communities are already juggling the costs 00:49:36.659 --> 00:49:39.809 of rent, health care and utilities. They cannot accord 00:49:39.809 --> 00:49:43.239 to lose a refrigerator's worth of food or be without 00:49:43.239 --> 00:49:46.980 essential medical equipment or work because of power 00:49:46.980 --> 00:49:51.269 shutoffs. Community choice programs can and should create 00:49:51.269 --> 00:49:55.909 solutions to those shutoff problems. (ring) But we have no doubt, 00:49:56.219 --> 00:49:59.880 if PG&E is allowed to reincarnate in the spitting 00:49:59.880 --> 00:50:03.909 image of their past, (ring) it will only impede any progress 00:50:04.059 --> 00:50:07.779 towards energy justice in California. Thank you. 00:50:09.019 --> 00:50:12.365 Thank you, Miss Stebbins. The next caller, please. 00:50:12.390 --> 00:50:13.480 Willie 00:50:13.480 --> 00:50:18.630 Mayburns, can you please state your organization? 00:50:18.630 --> 00:50:23.219 Yes. Hi. This is Will Abrams. I very much appreciate 00:50:23.300 --> 00:50:26.570 being able to participate in this public comment period, 00:50:26.960 --> 00:50:30.289 and I want to extend my appreciation for President 00:50:30.289 --> 00:50:32.269 Batjer and the Commissioners and the whole Commission 00:50:32.269 --> 00:50:35.769 and the work that you do. I think that it's during 00:50:35.769 --> 00:50:39.150 these times that we really need to appreciate our public 00:50:39.150 --> 00:50:42.030 servants, and I am so appreciative every day of the 00:50:42.030 --> 00:50:46.269 work that you and your staff does. Additionally, I'm 00:50:46.309 --> 00:50:50.539 especially appreciative of the public engagement with 00:50:50.539 --> 00:50:54.769 the Commission. I can tell you firsthand that 00:50:55.159 --> 00:50:59.300 public engagement is not always welcomed in public participation 00:50:59.300 --> 00:51:02.570 and proceedings related to these issues aren't always 00:51:02.570 --> 00:51:06.659 welcome. And I think it's particularly heartwarming 00:51:06.659 --> 00:51:09.699 to hear the voices here today speaking on a number 00:51:09.699 --> 00:51:13.960 of issues. I would say that there, overall, in the 00:51:14.110 --> 00:51:16.789 issues that the Commission is dealing with right now, 00:51:16.789 --> 00:51:22.000 especially under COVID, there is an effort to say 00:51:22.000 --> 00:51:24.949 that now is not the time to deal with the very many 00:51:25.079 --> 00:51:28.190 urgent issues of the Commission. And I would just urge 00:51:28.190 --> 00:51:32.289 the Commission to consider that now is the time and 00:51:32.289 --> 00:51:35.480 that there is no more road to kick the can down. 00:51:36.059 --> 00:51:40.219 And I would encourage you to address the urgency of 00:51:40.219 --> 00:51:43.769 our time with urgent actions on a number of issues. 00:51:44.159 --> 00:51:47.869 I support you. I know the voices on this call, in terms 00:51:47.869 --> 00:51:53.289 of the public participants, also support you, and I 00:51:53.289 --> 00:51:56.369 just really want to again thank you all for your work. 00:51:56.610 --> 00:51:58.909 I would also like to call your attention to agenda 00:51:58.909 --> 00:52:03.690 number four on the consent calendar. Specifically, 00:52:03.840 --> 00:52:07.170 carbon free procurement. Especially, given all of the 00:52:07.179 --> 00:52:10.019 wildfires, that are going on, I think really needs 00:52:10.019 --> 00:52:12.519 to be looked at a bit differently. And there needs 00:52:12.519 --> 00:52:15.059 to be a look at the other side of the ledger when 00:52:15.059 --> 00:52:17.760 we're starting to calibrate something as carbon-free. 00:52:18.489 --> 00:52:23.909 In 2017 alone, there was 37.1 metric tons of CO2 00:52:24.300 --> 00:52:27.619 released into the (ring) atmosphere. So to consider that carbon 00:52:27.630 --> 00:52:31.559 free, in terms of how (ring) we're looking at this, I think 00:52:31.559 --> 00:52:37.750 is, needs another look. (ring) 00:52:37.750 --> 00:52:39.197 Thank you, Mr 00:52:39.209 --> 00:52:40.969 Abrams. Could we go on to the next caller 00:52:40.969 --> 00:52:42.057 please? 00:52:42.082 --> 00:52:45.344 Yes. Simon with Youth versus Apocalypse, 00:52:45.429 --> 00:52:49.050 you may go. 00:52:49.050 --> 00:52:53.210 Hi, my name is Simon. I'm a youth, and I'm in high school 00:52:53.630 --> 00:52:56.619 and I ask you to reject PG&E's new proposed plan 00:52:57.349 --> 00:53:01.420 of restructurings because it doesn't even save money 00:53:01.429 --> 00:53:05.590 for the company. I'm sad to learn of their plan. I 00:53:05.590 --> 00:53:08.530 want to tell everyone a story. Last year, when Paradise 00:53:08.530 --> 00:53:13.199 was on fire, it was on everyone's mind. As we heard 00:53:13.199 --> 00:53:16.960 that people who live there had to evacuate. My English 00:53:16.969 --> 00:53:20.699 teacher shared to us how it was affecting her life because 00:53:20.710 --> 00:53:24.769 her family lived nearby. I was really affected by 00:53:24.769 --> 00:53:28.750 her story, and I didn't know what I could do. My education 00:53:28.750 --> 00:53:31.869 was weighed down by a morbid mistake PG&E made. 00:53:32.550 --> 00:53:35.989 It's scary to see one of my role models so vulnerable 00:53:35.989 --> 00:53:39.119 and see her family's safety at the whim of a money 00:53:39.130 --> 00:53:42.980 saving choice. And then, when the electricity was cut 00:53:42.980 --> 00:53:45.869 this year, I truly felt that PG&E had abandoned 00:53:45.869 --> 00:53:50.239 me as a citizen. It was really an eye opening experience 00:53:50.239 --> 00:53:53.690 when I learned that PG&E was not a government-owned, 00:53:53.880 --> 00:53:57.269 that is not government-owned but a private business. 00:53:58.449 --> 00:54:00.639 And then, 00:54:00.639 --> 00:54:04.469 it seemed to me they would rather save money than 00:54:04.469 --> 00:54:08.800 lives. They then tried to ease the fire victims lives 00:54:08.809 --> 00:54:12.110 by giving them stock in a company that they had nothing, 00:54:12.340 --> 00:54:15.150 that they wanted to do nothing. 00:54:15.150 --> 00:54:20.250 That they wanted nothing to do with. Their new plan 00:54:20.250 --> 00:54:23.400 should include renewable energy, such as solar energy. 00:54:23.800 --> 00:54:27.769 This takes money but saves lives. Please. If you want 00:54:27.769 --> 00:54:30.349 to be responsible for the lives of people who burn 00:54:30.349 --> 00:54:34.099 alive, then make a move to pass the deal. However, 00:54:34.099 --> 00:54:37.498 the people are watching. Thank you. 00:54:37.523 --> 00:54:39.440 Thank you. Operator, 00:54:39.440 --> 00:54:41.350 the next caller, please. 00:54:41.375 --> 00:54:43.579 Francis Faraclaw, please 00:54:43.590 --> 00:54:47.639 state your organization. 00:54:47.639 --> 00:54:48.711 Hello? 00:54:48.736 --> 00:54:51.034 Hello, we can hear you. Go ahead. 00:54:51.059 --> 00:54:51.800 Awesome. My name is 00:54:51.809 --> 00:54:54.760 Francis, I'm with Sierra Club. I'm sorry. This is 00:54:54.769 --> 00:54:57.110 kind of tricky to navigate, but I'm glad that we were 00:54:57.110 --> 00:55:00.519 able to actually do this. I'm an organizer with Sierra 00:55:00.519 --> 00:55:02.900 Club, out in Southern California, with the My Generation 00:55:02.900 --> 00:55:06.179 Campaign. We're really actually just coming out 00:55:06.179 --> 00:55:08.440 here, not to actually talk about PG&E, although 00:55:08.440 --> 00:55:10.769 we think it's super important. We're actually here 00:55:10.769 --> 00:55:13.159 to talk about the rates and the different ways that 00:55:13.159 --> 00:55:15.340 these utilities are charging us during the COVID-19 00:55:15.340 --> 00:55:19.460 Pandemic. Of course, we really appreciate initiatives 00:55:19.460 --> 00:55:22.230 you taken to expand programs like CARE and FAIR, but 00:55:22.230 --> 00:55:24.920 we're here to tell you that this is not enough. We 00:55:24.920 --> 00:55:26.940 know that people are still falling through the cracks 00:55:26.940 --> 00:55:29.460 and the very different ways of these utilities are 00:55:29.469 --> 00:55:32.050 actually cleverly trying to charge their customers. 00:55:32.539 --> 00:55:36.139 And so, more than anything, we just want to highlight 00:55:36.150 --> 00:55:39.030 to you that these fuel assistance programs are still 00:55:39.150 --> 00:55:43.360 insufficient and that, even though you're proposing 00:55:43.369 --> 00:55:47.849 to change the actual rate from the 75% of the 25%, 00:55:48.239 --> 00:55:51.050 we really want you to think about how you're aiding 00:55:51.050 --> 00:55:53.780 the most vulnerable of the forefront. It's our understanding 00:55:53.789 --> 00:55:57.090 that, even though you might change these small little 00:55:57.170 --> 00:56:00.190 things, ultimately people are still facing huge bills 00:56:00.199 --> 00:56:04.090 and at the end of the pandemic, they're gonna be facing 00:56:04.099 --> 00:56:07.739 this monumental aggregate bill that we just don't 00:56:07.739 --> 00:56:10.059 think that anybody should really pay. So please, look 00:56:10.059 --> 00:56:12.130 at how you can actually support these programs, how 00:56:12.130 --> 00:56:14.739 you can expand them, and also you can make them accessible 00:56:14.739 --> 00:56:17.510 because the most vulnerable, as we all know, are not 00:56:17.570 --> 00:56:20.429 in the know about what's going on here. And let 00:56:20.429 --> 00:56:23.849 alone, if they did, they mostly don't have confidence 00:56:23.860 --> 00:56:26.739 that the utilities are going to help. That's 00:56:26.739 --> 00:56:28.820 really all I have to say, but please listen to the 00:56:28.820 --> 00:56:31.449 kids and everybody else who's on this call. Thank you. 00:56:32.230 --> 00:56:35.837 Thank you. The next caller, please. 00:56:35.862 --> 00:56:37.063 The next caller is 00:56:37.300 --> 00:56:43.230 Mark Hall, Electricity Equals. You may state. 00:56:43.230 --> 00:56:45.631 Good morning. Can you hear me? 00:56:45.656 --> 00:56:46.583 Yes, we can. 00:56:47.090 --> 00:56:50.030 Hello. 00:56:50.030 --> 00:56:52.510 My name is Mara Call on and I'm with Electricity Equals 00:56:52.510 --> 00:56:55.769 Life, and we're a small grassroots organization of 00:56:55.769 --> 00:56:59.849 people with disabilities. We formed last year when faced 00:56:59.849 --> 00:57:02.449 with public safety power shutoffs, and our goals 00:57:02.449 --> 00:57:07.940 include both disability and climate justice. So, 00:57:07.949 --> 00:57:10.110 sadly, people with disabilities are more likely to 00:57:10.110 --> 00:57:14.210 be left behind to die during power, during the wildfires, 00:57:14.449 --> 00:57:17.039 and were more likely to experience life threatening 00:57:17.039 --> 00:57:20.170 loss of electricity during the power shutoffs. And were 00:57:20.170 --> 00:57:23.369 also least able to pay for rising utility rates. So 00:57:23.369 --> 00:57:26.030 we worry about the deal before you today. It won't 00:57:26.030 --> 00:57:29.230 make us safer. For many of us, these are actually very 00:57:29.409 --> 00:57:32.440 life and death issues. The fact of the matter is that we 00:57:32.440 --> 00:57:35.230 don't trust PG&E. During the past year, they've 00:57:35.230 --> 00:57:38.699 done nothing to earn the trust. They have no plan to 00:57:38.699 --> 00:57:41.239 get back up power to the thousands of us on medical 00:57:41.239 --> 00:57:45.960 baseline, and now, as we fight COVID, situation worsens. 00:57:46.280 --> 00:57:49.400 Even more of us will need oxygen ventilators, power 00:57:49.400 --> 00:57:53.010 for wheelchairs and elevators. And so we ask, what's 00:57:53.019 --> 00:57:55.289 the plan? 00:57:55.289 --> 00:57:58.230 Several years ago, I happened upon PG&E's so-called 00:57:58.230 --> 00:58:02.150 wildfire mitigation efforts in action. Instead 00:58:02.150 --> 00:58:05.079 of careful tree trimming, I saw what could only be 00:58:05.079 --> 00:58:08.389 described as a linear, clear cutting of scores of beautiful, 00:58:08.389 --> 00:58:11.989 carbon-storing, mature trees, many of them well away from 00:58:11.989 --> 00:58:14.789 the power lines. If this is representative of their 00:58:14.789 --> 00:58:18.050 approach, and I believe it is, we're indeed trouble because 00:58:18.059 --> 00:58:22.309 the Earth really needs those trees. PG&E has a big PR 00:58:22.309 --> 00:58:25.460 machine, an army of well-paid lobbyists, a fundamental 00:58:25.460 --> 00:58:28.639 commitment to maximize the bottom line. You can see 00:58:28.639 --> 00:58:31.449 the fruits of that fact by the plan now before you. 00:58:31.760 --> 00:58:34.769 This plan is flawed and abandoned the people and the 00:58:34.769 --> 00:58:37.599 planet. It does nothing to further the imperatives 00:58:37.599 --> 00:58:41.690 of climate justice. We're running out of time. The 00:58:41.690 --> 00:58:44.260 Reclaim Our Power campaign is here to fight for the 00:58:44.260 --> 00:58:48.059 people, for democracy and further planet. We support 00:58:48.070 --> 00:58:50.350 their vision. Thank you. 00:58:50.375 --> 00:58:53.199 Thank you. Operator, the next 00:58:53.199 --> 00:58:54.681 caller, please. 00:58:54.706 --> 00:58:58.730 Gabriella with North Bay Organizing 00:58:58.730 --> 00:59:01.920 Project, you may speak. 00:59:01.920 --> 00:59:05.139 Yes. Good morning. My name is Gabriella Orontez. I'm 00:59:05.139 --> 00:59:08.059 a digest recovery fellow for the Latino Community Foundations 00:59:08.059 --> 00:59:11.300 Just Recovery Partnership. Today, I am here on behalf 00:59:11.300 --> 00:59:14.130 of the North Bay Organizing Project, one of the 10 00:59:14.130 --> 00:59:17.710 nonprofit organizations in Sonoma and Napa counties 00:59:17.769 --> 00:59:20.610 that came together as the Just Recovery Partnership 00:59:20.619 --> 00:59:24.860 after the 2017 wildfires. I bring with me today the 00:59:24.860 --> 00:59:27.920 voices and experiences of renters, of the undocumented, 00:59:28.119 --> 00:59:31.670 of limited English speakers and the community organizations 00:59:31.679 --> 00:59:34.320 that respond to the most vulnerable during the devastation 00:59:34.320 --> 00:59:38.190 caused by fires and power shutoffs. With the power 00:59:38.190 --> 00:59:40.940 that the Commission holds over PG&E, it has 00:59:40.940 --> 00:59:44.070 the opportunity to transform our energy system to 00:59:44.070 --> 00:59:47.809 one that meat the needs of Californians in this time 00:59:47.809 --> 00:59:51.019 of crisis under COVID and climate change. As it 00:59:51.030 --> 00:59:53.960 stands, the deal in front of you will push the cost 00:59:53.960 --> 00:59:57.469 of PG&E's bankruptcy onto fire survivors and ratepayers, 00:59:57.480 --> 00:59:59.949 while keeping corporate executives and shareholders 00:59:59.949 --> 01:00:03.349 in charge, allowing them to continue making the decisions 01:00:03.360 --> 01:00:06.230 that caused the fires in the first place. We need you 01:00:06.230 --> 01:00:09.980 to reject this terrible deal unless you make some of 01:00:09.980 --> 01:00:14.420 the changes, major changes, that truly protect survivors 01:00:14.420 --> 01:00:18.630 and ratepayers. For example, any plan should include 01:00:19.010 --> 01:00:22.329 comprehensive community engagement processes with frontline 01:00:22.329 --> 01:00:25.420 communities and requirement for utility compensation 01:00:25.679 --> 01:00:28.269 of customers for their financial losses during shut 01:00:28.269 --> 01:00:31.320 off. And this includes debt forgiveness for vulnerable 01:00:31.320 --> 01:00:34.829 households. Last night, I participated in a wild fire 01:00:34.829 --> 01:00:38.260 safety webinar that PG&E put on for Sonoma 01:00:38.269 --> 01:00:43.030 and Napa Counties. I want to share with you what 01:00:43.030 --> 01:00:46.280 Vanessa Brian, manager with PG&E at Local Customer 01:00:46.639 --> 01:00:50.579 Experience team, said last night when 01:00:50.860 --> 01:00:56.519 the facilitators were asked about compensation 01:00:56.639 --> 01:01:00.130 from loss of food, loss of work, etcetera from public 01:01:00.139 --> 01:01:02.710 safety power shutoffs occurring during shelter in 01:01:02.710 --> 01:01:05.989 place. She told us last night, and I quote, "at this 01:01:06.000 --> 01:01:09.769 "time we, PG&E, are not compensating or reimbursing 01:01:09.769 --> 01:01:13.130 "customers for loss of work because of power shutoffs." 01:01:13.460 --> 01:01:14.598 This is truly 01:01:14.610 --> 01:01:18.059 disheartening--(ring)--response and shows how 01:01:18.059 --> 01:01:20.369 PG&E--(ring)-- 01:01:20.369 --> 01:01:23.369 comprehensive community engagement processes with frontline 01:01:23.369 --> 01:01:26.159 communities. Because if they were, then Vanessa Brian 01:01:26.159 --> 01:01:27.920 --(ring)-- 01:01:27.920 --> 01:01:31.199 in response to the reality we are facing. We don't 01:01:31.519 --> 01:01:32.921 all work out of our home-- 01:01:32.946 --> 01:01:34.269 May I ask you to bring 01:01:34.269 --> 01:01:37.150 your comments to a close here? You're beyond your two 01:01:37.150 --> 01:01:38.994 minute timeframe. 01:01:39.019 --> 01:01:43.440 Sure, and, we need to be able to rely 01:01:43.449 --> 01:01:46.880 on some sort of debt forgiveness, and we ask that this 01:01:46.889 --> 01:01:50.679 be included in any kind of reorganization plan. We 01:01:50.679 --> 01:01:53.469 need to be truth, we need to safety from utility 01:01:53.469 --> 01:01:56.639 caused fires, smokes and shutoff. And in this moment 01:01:56.639 --> 01:01:59.130 of public health crisis, vulnerable households need 01:01:59.130 --> 01:02:01.197 to be protected. Thank you. 01:02:01.222 --> 01:02:03.570 Thank you. Thank you. Operator, 01:02:03.570 --> 01:02:08.099 please. The next caller. 01:02:08.099 --> 01:02:14.239 Kathy Lurch Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 01:02:14.239 --> 01:02:16.308 Hello? Can you hear me? 01:02:16.333 --> 01:02:17.035 Yes, we can. 01:02:17.059 --> 01:02:19.150 Hi, My name is 01:02:19.159 --> 01:02:21.639 Katie Long. Good morning. I'm with the Buddhist Peace 01:02:21.650 --> 01:02:25.260 Fellowship. I want to echo all the appreciation of 01:02:25.269 --> 01:02:29.869 the CPUC and offer this poem to reject the PG&E 01:02:29.869 --> 01:02:32.849 bankruptcy deal. 01:02:32.849 --> 01:02:36.389 Please reject the current deal. PG&E's attempt 01:02:36.400 --> 01:02:40.909 to steal a bailout from ratepayer funds. A better deal 01:02:40.969 --> 01:02:45.219 can sure be won. Protecting home from raging fires, 01:02:45.699 --> 01:02:50.219 reducing rolling blackouts dire. Transitioning to power 01:02:50.219 --> 01:02:55.869 clean, democratizing public means. Restoring earth with 01:02:55.880 --> 01:03:00.570 deeper plans for native stewardship of lands that carbon 01:03:00.570 --> 01:03:04.690 credits cannot heal. Please don't be fooled. Reject 01:03:04.699 --> 01:03:09.699 this deal. When medicines and freezers melt, and smoke 01:03:09.710 --> 01:03:13.780 in lungs is choking felt, PG&E forfeits our 01:03:13.780 --> 01:03:18.900 trust. As our world changes, change we must. Please 01:03:18.900 --> 01:03:23.619 use your powers, fair and wise, to boldly help a future 01:03:23.619 --> 01:03:28.599 rise. A safe, clean energy for all. This is our wish. 01:03:28.670 --> 01:03:32.610 This is our call. Thank you for supporting the CPUC 01:03:32.610 --> 01:03:36.480 Disadvantaged Community Advisory Committee to continue 01:03:36.489 --> 01:03:39.579 leading the way towards this vision for a better deal 01:03:39.800 --> 01:03:43.610 and a better utility to replace PG&E. The people 01:03:43.610 --> 01:03:46.719 and lands of California deserve no less. Thank you 01:03:46.719 --> 01:03:48.740 for your commitment and your efforts. 01:03:48.765 --> 01:03:50.379 Thank you. 01:03:51.599 --> 01:03:53.237 Next caller, please. 01:03:53.262 --> 01:03:55.909 Comes from Audrey Ichinose 01:03:55.909 --> 01:03:58.215 East Bay Clean power. 01:03:58.240 --> 01:04:01.179 Hi, I'm Audrey Ichinose 01:04:01.179 --> 01:04:04.599 from representing East Bay Clean Power Alliance. 01:04:04.599 --> 01:04:08.860 We are a coalition, a loose coalition, of about 60 organizations 01:04:09.210 --> 01:04:12.599 that share commitment to local clean energy development 01:04:12.989 --> 01:04:17.530 and, like other speakers have said these are unprecedented 01:04:17.530 --> 01:04:21.480 at times. But these times present you Commissioners 01:04:21.489 --> 01:04:25.360 with a rare opportunity to fundamentally impact our 01:04:25.369 --> 01:04:30.079 energy infrastructure. I'll briefly say that there's 01:04:30.079 --> 01:04:33.619 an OpEd piece into this morning San Francisco Chronicle 01:04:33.860 --> 01:04:37.440 that, to me, exemplifies the kind of undaunted positive 01:04:37.440 --> 01:04:41.909 response that we could have, that we need in times 01:04:41.909 --> 01:04:45.280 like this. The authors propose a dry brush removal 01:04:45.280 --> 01:04:49.579 force to both mitigate summer's coming wildfire danger 01:04:49.829 --> 01:04:53.769 and at the same time, to employ the newly unemployed, 01:04:53.820 --> 01:04:56.860 both urban and rural. And it's a practical plan that 01:04:56.869 --> 01:04:59.260 you know, that could be implemented quickly 01:04:59.260 --> 01:05:03.530 and broadly. So the CPUC should do the same kind of, 01:05:03.539 --> 01:05:07.170 have the same kind of thinking, mindset, in its decision 01:05:07.170 --> 01:05:11.320 on PG&E's plan to exit bankruptcy. I believe that 01:05:11.329 --> 01:05:15.869 the CPUC needs to make two broad changes to the 01:05:15.869 --> 01:05:19.489 plan before they approve it. PG&E should be required 01:05:19.489 --> 01:05:23.449 to narrow its operational focused. It should concentrate 01:05:23.460 --> 01:05:26.710 on the safe transmission of power, focusing mainly 01:05:26.710 --> 01:05:30.130 on the big high-power transmission lines as opposed 01:05:30.139 --> 01:05:34.559 to the local distribution networks. Secondly, PG&E 01:05:34.559 --> 01:05:38.280 should be required to work with the many community 01:05:38.280 --> 01:05:41.659 choice aggregators that now operate in its service 01:05:41.670 --> 01:05:45.300 territory. One of the most dubious elements of this 01:05:45.429 --> 01:05:50.739 PG&E, of the PG&E's plan, is their proposal to divide 01:05:50.739 --> 01:05:54.960 its service territory into five subregions answerable 01:05:54.960 --> 01:05:59.610 to the top. On the face of it, well, it's supposed 01:05:59.619 --> 01:06:03.949 to improve the company's contacts, familiarity with 01:06:03.960 --> 01:06:07.183 local conditions. (ring) As you can see, oh, 01:06:07.195 --> 01:06:10.429 shoot. So anyway (ring) I want to point out. 01:06:11.610 --> 01:06:16.829 that CCAs are exploding in PGA&E territory and their 01:06:16.829 --> 01:06:21.159 reorganization plan should incorporate 01:06:21.159 --> 01:06:24.989 these local organizations. I mean, they're so important, 01:06:25.280 --> 01:06:28.409 and they can be so useful. So Commissioners, please 01:06:28.409 --> 01:06:30.480 use this--(ring). 01:06:30.480 --> 01:06:32.501 Thank you very much. 01:06:32.526 --> 01:06:36.039 Thank you. Operator, the next caller 01:06:36.039 --> 01:06:37.114 please. 01:06:37.139 --> 01:06:40.340 The next caller comes from Miss Michelle with Movement 01:06:40.349 --> 01:06:44.280 Generation. 01:06:44.280 --> 01:06:49.050 Hi. Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for hearing 01:06:49.679 --> 01:06:53.380 beautiful and powerful set of voices this morning. 01:06:53.480 --> 01:06:56.380 I'm with Movement Generation Justice and Ecology 01:06:56.380 --> 01:06:59.590 Project. My name's Michelle Moscarenez-Swan, 01:06:59.599 --> 01:07:02.659 for the record. Wwe're also proud to be part of Reclaim 01:07:02.659 --> 01:07:06.690 Our Power. And I'm a mama of kids who are also very concerned 01:07:06.690 --> 01:07:10.500 about their future. If the climate crisis didn't 01:07:10.510 --> 01:07:13.219 already make this clear, this global pandemic does. 01:07:13.469 --> 01:07:16.690 We're in the midst of a transition, and who leads that 01:07:16.690 --> 01:07:20.400 transition is going to determine how it goes and where 01:07:20.400 --> 01:07:24.610 we end up. Black, indigenous, poor, working class, 01:07:24.690 --> 01:07:28.210 disabled, and immigrant communities need to lead this 01:07:28.219 --> 01:07:30.989 transition. Those are the voices you're hearing today. 01:07:31.380 --> 01:07:35.599 And they're calling for a rejection to this deal. Don't 01:07:35.599 --> 01:07:40.250 let PG&E lead the transition to an apocalyptic future 01:07:40.539 --> 01:07:43.460 that the young people on this call, mostly with Youth 01:07:43.460 --> 01:07:47.119 versus Apocalypse, are missing school to guard against. 01:07:47.929 --> 01:07:50.199 In this COVID crisis, we're seeing government official 01:07:50.199 --> 01:07:53.989 faced to choose between making money or saving lives, 01:07:54.579 --> 01:07:58.329 people or profit. What kind of leader are you gonna 01:07:58.329 --> 01:08:01.039 be in this moment? Ultimately, 01:08:01.040 --> 01:08:03.600 we need a just transition to a worker and community 01:08:03.600 --> 01:08:06.940 controlled, decentralized energy system because we 01:08:06.940 --> 01:08:11.040 all know that energy is a human right. So I urge you 01:08:11.040 --> 01:08:13.590 to reject the current bankruptcy reorganization deal. 01:08:14.260 --> 01:08:17.829 PG&E is guilty of criminal negligence, and as 01:08:17.840 --> 01:08:20.500 the judge in this proceeding has named, they have not 01:08:20.500 --> 01:08:24.050 shown any progress in shifting out of this negligence 01:08:24.059 --> 01:08:27.619 and taking real responsibility for the welfare of fire 01:08:27.619 --> 01:08:30.419 endangered communities and vulnerable households who 01:08:30.419 --> 01:08:33.699 rely on energy for life and who are hard hit by the 01:08:33.699 --> 01:08:37.250 shutoffs that they just use as a stand in 01:08:37.310 --> 01:08:42.750 for taking real care. Don't allow PG&E to 01:08:42.759 --> 01:08:46.390 just bring in new financiers and put the debt burden on 01:08:46.399 --> 01:08:49.769 already burdened ratepayers. And now, even more burdened 01:08:49.769 --> 01:08:53.180 ratepayers and fire survivors. Our families are still 01:08:53.180 --> 01:08:57.070 paying for the 2011 bankruptcy on our bills, 01:08:57.070 --> 01:09:00.689 and our households should not made to pay for another bailout. 01:09:01.380 --> 01:09:04.390 Energy is a human right. (ring) I just echo the demands of 01:09:04.399 --> 01:09:07.740 Reclaim Our Power that any deal must (ring)put the needs of the fire 01:09:07.740 --> 01:09:11.220 survivors and the public first or it must be rejected (ring) 01:09:11.244 --> 01:09:13.244 Thank you. (ring) 01:09:14.080 --> 01:09:19.279 Thank you. Operator, the next caller, please. 01:09:19.279 --> 01:09:24.479 Tara Quizell, please state your organization. 01:09:24.479 --> 01:09:27.100 My name is Chuck Roselle and I represent myself. I 01:09:27.100 --> 01:09:30.880 live in Oakland, California. I am requesting that the 01:09:30.889 --> 01:09:33.600 central procurement framework being proposed in agenda 01:09:33.600 --> 01:09:36.999 item number five be rejected in favor of central procurement 01:09:36.999 --> 01:09:41.180 process similar to AB 3014 to propose legislation 01:09:41.180 --> 01:09:44.330 from Assemblyman Muratsuchi. It has been stated 01:09:44.330 --> 01:09:46.470 that the framework is unnecessary since there's no 01:09:46.470 --> 01:09:50.919 viable alternative. In fact, AB 3014 is sponsored 01:09:50.919 --> 01:09:53.899 by the California Community Choice Association and 01:09:53.899 --> 01:09:56.309 it addresses the Law Judge's concerns raised over 01:09:56.309 --> 01:09:58.690 last year's negotiated central buying authority that, 01:09:58.690 --> 01:10:01.559 in turn, incorporated the views of community choice 01:10:01.559 --> 01:10:04.830 in San Diego Gas & Electric. THE CPUC is aware 01:10:04.830 --> 01:10:07.130 the ratepayers preference for local energy procurement. 01:10:07.139 --> 01:10:09.970 Nevertheless, it has avoided taking acting to require 01:10:09.970 --> 01:10:12.549 the IOUs to downsize their existing generation 01:10:12.549 --> 01:10:15.910 as the CCAs have evolved, instead allowing the PCIA 01:10:15.910 --> 01:10:19.329 to be used as a mechanism to shift costs to ratepayers. 01:10:20.139 --> 01:10:23.019 The proposed central procurement framework continues 01:10:23.019 --> 01:10:25.880 this avoidance. Any central generation mechanism should 01:10:25.880 --> 01:10:30.850 directly lead to eliminating PCIA. Thank you 01:10:30.850 --> 01:10:32.093 very much. 01:10:32.118 --> 01:10:35.845 Thank you, sir. The next caller, please 01:10:36.880 --> 01:10:40.100 Ruth with Youth and Apocalypse. You may speak. 01:10:50.100 --> 01:10:57.079 Caller, please. Ruth. 01:10:57.079 --> 01:10:59.850 one moment, ma'am. 01:11:05.850 --> 01:11:10.609 Pete Wiley. 01:11:10.609 --> 01:11:14.780 Was that Pete Wiley? Can you hear me? 01:11:14.780 --> 01:11:17.030 Yes, this is Pete Wiley with the Reclaim Our 01:11:17.030 --> 01:11:19.759 Power coalition. Before my time starts, I'd just like 01:11:19.759 --> 01:11:24.530 to acknowledge there's at least 10 young people from various 01:11:24.530 --> 01:11:27.079 organizations who have been stuck on the outside, getting 01:11:27.079 --> 01:11:29.850 kicked off of the phone service, and not and still with 01:11:29.850 --> 01:11:32.590 the hold music cause they've been pressing *1? So I 01:11:32.979 --> 01:11:36.220 hope we can make accommodations for that. And including 01:11:36.220 --> 01:11:39.579 a young woman named Imani whose grandmother died 01:11:39.790 --> 01:11:42.079 in the power shutoff last year. So I hope that we 01:11:42.079 --> 01:11:45.329 can hold space for that and recognize the staff putting 01:11:45.329 --> 01:11:48.560 time and to make this public comment accessible. But 01:11:48.570 --> 01:11:51.970 really, if you could hold on and open up the space 01:11:51.970 --> 01:11:53.949 at the end for the folks who stuck on the line, that 01:11:53.959 --> 01:11:57.269 be great. If my time can start now, I'd appreciate that. 01:11:58.179 --> 01:12:01.100 I'm with Reclaim Our Power Utility Justice Campaign. 01:12:01.109 --> 01:12:05.250 We are, you've heard many of our members today, over 01:12:05.250 --> 01:12:09.919 75 organizations from across the state. And you've 01:12:09.929 --> 01:12:13.470 gotten public comment, nearing a thousand for the 01:12:13.470 --> 01:12:17.229 last meeting and this meeting of people demanding a 01:12:17.239 --> 01:12:21.229 rejection of this plan of reorganization unless it 01:12:21.229 --> 01:12:24.470 can actually work for fire survivors and the people 01:12:24.470 --> 01:12:27.510 of California. I'll speak to a couple of very specific 01:12:27.510 --> 01:12:30.850 things that you can do, that this Commission has 01:12:30.859 --> 01:12:34.729 great power and is able to shape the plan. We want 01:12:34.979 --> 01:12:38.030 real accountability that doesn't look like the accountability 01:12:38.030 --> 01:12:41.900 of the past where PG&E self reports. We want accountability 01:12:41.950 --> 01:12:46.530 to the Legislature, having somebody represented 01:12:46.530 --> 01:12:49.569 to the Legislature year after year, so the public and 01:12:49.569 --> 01:12:52.879 our elected officials can question them. We want in 01:12:52.879 --> 01:12:56.590 this, whatever comes out of this deal, all of the debt 01:12:56.600 --> 01:13:00.499 to be held whole, not with the Wall Street tricks that 01:13:00.499 --> 01:13:03.229 are built in with the securitisation and the extra 01:13:03.400 --> 01:13:07.559 ways to navigate around ratepayer neutrality. We want 01:13:07.569 --> 01:13:11.739 real accountability and real accounting of where the 01:13:11.739 --> 01:13:15.179 dollars and cents of going, and this Commission can demand 01:13:15.179 --> 01:13:19.910 that. We want representation and meaningful, not just 01:13:19.919 --> 01:13:23.510 token representation, of the impacted communities you've heard 01:13:23.510 --> 01:13:27.510 on this call. Disability, folks with disability, folks impacted 01:13:27.510 --> 01:13:31.290 by the fires. We want those in meaningful places of 01:13:31.299 --> 01:13:33.809 decisionmaking power about the Board structure of 01:13:33.809 --> 01:13:38.229 the utility going forward, about when, how and if to 01:13:38.229 --> 01:13:42.470 shut off power going forward, about how to structure 01:13:42.470 --> 01:13:45.419 a new energy system going forward, and how to make investments 01:13:45.429 --> 01:13:48.460 to get us out of this mess, held in the hands of 01:13:48.460 --> 01:13:51.090 Wall Street and not by the hands of the people of California. 01:13:51.479 --> 01:13:55.290 We're asking you to reject this plan. Start over. The 01:13:55.290 --> 01:13:57.809 Governor has been very articulate, time after time, 01:13:57.809 --> 01:13:59.546 every day at noon, telling us how 01:13:59.558 --> 01:14:01.770 (ring) we should stay safe from this virus. 01:14:02.280 --> 01:14:04.710 We need this Commission to follow that leadership (ring) and 01:14:04.710 --> 01:14:08.290 asked him, how can we stay safe in the energy system? (ring) 01:14:08.290 --> 01:14:13.369 This deal is (ring) not it. Time to step up and--(ring)--deal. 01:14:13.369 --> 01:14:14.680 Thank you for your time. 01:14:14.705 --> 01:14:16.234 Thank you for your comments. 01:14:16.979 --> 01:14:19.400 Operator, the next caller, please. 01:14:19.425 --> 01:14:21.109 From Miss Jocelyn, please 01:14:21.109 --> 01:14:22.878 state your organization. 01:14:22.903 --> 01:14:24.869 Yeah. Hello, my name is 01:14:24.879 --> 01:14:27.689 Jocelyn Gabrielle. I'm with East Yard Communities for 01:14:27.689 --> 01:14:31.299 Environmental Justice down here in Los Angeles and Long 01:14:31.299 --> 01:14:36.010 Beach. I definitely, first and foremost, want to appreciate 01:14:36.010 --> 01:14:38.319 all the folks, you know, holding a down for their communities 01:14:38.330 --> 01:14:42.710 against PG&E. Um, I'm specifically here to 01:14:42.710 --> 01:14:47.109 talk about some of the charges down here, and I want 01:14:47.109 --> 01:14:49.619 to uplift., you know, there's more that the CPUC can 01:14:49.619 --> 01:14:53.720 do for families right now. There has been longstanding 01:14:53.720 --> 01:14:56.470 issues that, you know, low income customer space. That 01:14:56.479 --> 01:14:59.760 COVID-19 has only reinforced. You know, this 01:14:59.760 --> 01:15:03.910 high usage price reduction that has happened, definitely 01:15:03.919 --> 01:15:07.059 want to acknowledge it, but also want to say that it 01:15:07.059 --> 01:15:09.979 needs to be taken at the time that stay-at-home orders 01:15:09.979 --> 01:15:12.819 started, which was back in March. And I think that 01:15:12.819 --> 01:15:15.799 is truly the impactful thing to do right now for starters. 01:15:16.429 --> 01:15:19.629 We cannot penalize families for high usage when we 01:15:19.629 --> 01:15:22.249 are staying home in this pandemic. You know, this is 01:15:22.249 --> 01:15:26.790 our reality right now, so I think definitely, kind 01:15:26.790 --> 01:15:30.290 of, highlighting that this reduction in high 01:15:30.290 --> 01:15:33.669 usage charge would definitely be more useful 01:15:33.669 --> 01:15:37.119 you know, if there was taken in March, not June. 01:15:37.129 --> 01:15:41.260 Another thing. There's a huge gap in awareness of several 01:15:41.270 --> 01:15:44.319 utility financial resource programs that can help families 01:15:44.330 --> 01:15:48.429 right now. 01:15:48.429 --> 01:15:51.100 Now, more than ever, we should be reassuring families 01:15:51.109 --> 01:15:53.720 that there would be protections in place from utility 01:15:53.720 --> 01:15:56.210 companies, but that there are also programs that can 01:15:56.210 --> 01:15:59.109 help reduce the debt that's being accumulated from these 01:15:59.109 --> 01:16:02.780 continuous charges. I want to urge you to be proactive 01:16:02.780 --> 01:16:06.450 in developing programs for debt forgiveness and economic 01:16:06.450 --> 01:16:09.299 recovery for vulnerable families. And, I mean, I'm 01:16:09.299 --> 01:16:11.729 talking about families who don't have access to reliable 01:16:11.729 --> 01:16:15.650 payment systems, actually, to this information, and so 01:16:15.650 --> 01:16:18.189 on. And so, I want to bring these issues to light. But 01:16:18.189 --> 01:16:20.270 I truly hope that there's action that follows these 01:16:20.280 --> 01:16:21.945 needs. Thank you. 01:16:21.970 --> 01:16:25.470 Thank you. Operator, the next caller, 01:16:25.470 --> 01:16:29.080 please. 01:16:29.080 --> 01:16:32.379 Comes from Jada. Please, give you a last name and your 01:16:32.379 --> 01:16:34.039 organization, please. 01:16:34.064 --> 01:16:36.569 Yes. Hi. My name is Jada Dogum, 01:16:36.569 --> 01:16:40.209 I'm with the Local Clean Energy Alliance. I think 01:16:40.209 --> 01:16:43.380 the Commission should reject the PG&E reorganization 01:16:43.380 --> 01:16:47.189 plan. This pandemic proves that business as usual hurts 01:16:47.199 --> 01:16:50.559 most of us while benefiting only a small group of 01:16:50.569 --> 01:16:54.189 people. This Commission has the power to change business 01:16:54.189 --> 01:16:57.540 as usual and hold PG&E accountable for its bad 01:16:57.910 --> 01:17:01.150 decisions. However, this deal with PG&E doesn't 01:17:01.150 --> 01:17:05.089 provide justice tp wildfire survivors or to ratepayers. 01:17:05.480 --> 01:17:09.370 It needs major changes. First of all, you need to make 01:17:09.370 --> 01:17:12.870 sure to protect ratepayers. We don't want to keep bearing 01:17:12.870 --> 01:17:16.150 the risk and costs and pay for the failures of PG&E 01:17:16.160 --> 01:17:20.730 again and again. Second wildfire survivors need justice 01:17:20.730 --> 01:17:24.110 as well, but not in the form of unstable PG&E 01:17:24.110 --> 01:17:27.280 stock tied up in a trust that wildfire survivors 01:17:27.630 --> 01:17:31.549 have no control over. Wildfire survivors should be 01:17:31.549 --> 01:17:35.709 compensated immediately. Finally, Local Clean Energy 01:17:35.709 --> 01:17:38.890 Alliance has been working on democratizing energy for 01:17:38.890 --> 01:17:43.370 many years. PG&E has failed us many times. I think 01:17:43.380 --> 01:17:47.230 California deserve a better energy system. A system 01:17:47.230 --> 01:17:51.089 based on decentralized and clean energy. A system that 01:17:51.099 --> 01:17:55.089 representative of diverse sectors including disadvantaged 01:17:55.099 --> 01:17:58.199 communities and California workers on the table as 01:17:58.199 --> 01:18:02.299 Board Members, not Wall Street predators. I support 01:18:02.299 --> 01:18:05.130 Reclaim Our Power Utility Justice Campaign's demands. 01:18:05.579 --> 01:18:07.598 Thank you. 01:18:07.623 --> 01:18:09.819 Thank you. 01:18:09.819 --> 01:18:12.161 The next caller, please. Operator. 01:18:12.186 --> 01:18:13.469 Yes, it comes from 01:18:13.480 --> 01:18:17.099 Issa Miss. You may speak your last name and your 01:18:17.099 --> 01:18:18.859 organization, please. 01:18:18.884 --> 01:18:21.290 Hi, this is Elise Macquero, I'm with 01:18:21.299 --> 01:18:24.709 East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. A member 01:18:24.709 --> 01:18:28.689 here in Los Angeles, and I want to acknowledge the voices 01:18:28.689 --> 01:18:33.099 of the youth, who, (unclear) right now about PG&E, 01:18:33.099 --> 01:18:37.329 please listen to them, and as a young person myself, 01:18:37.329 --> 01:18:42.079 I, you know, want to reiterate the importance of addressing 01:18:42.089 --> 01:18:45.299 climate change and the importance of holding PG&E 01:18:45.299 --> 01:18:48.309 accountable. But right now I'm calling on item 01:18:48.319 --> 01:18:51.280 26, and I want to take this opportunity to comment 01:18:51.290 --> 01:18:56.130 on this important issue because as a low income person, 01:18:56.559 --> 01:19:00.699 I appreciate the Commission's initiative to lower the 01:19:00.709 --> 01:19:04.179 high use charge. And unfortunately, I think that the 01:19:04.179 --> 01:19:06.510 charges coming too late in June and at this time 01:19:06.510 --> 01:19:11.199 should be retroactively applied since the stay at home 01:19:11.209 --> 01:19:14.730 order was set in place. Low income people don't have 01:19:14.740 --> 01:19:18.579 the ability to pay an extra charge when people have 01:19:18.579 --> 01:19:21.959 lost their jobs and when income should be spent on 01:19:21.959 --> 01:19:24.510 more, more essential things, like food. I don't think 01:19:24.510 --> 01:19:27.839 that the option, that we don't have an option but to use 01:19:27.980 --> 01:19:32.730 electricity when we're at home 24-7, and with the rising 01:19:32.730 --> 01:19:36.640 temperatures coming in May, people have no option 01:19:36.640 --> 01:19:39.419 but to use air conditioners and fans to stay safe. 01:19:39.429 --> 01:19:45.260 So please make sure that the high use charge gets 01:19:45.270 --> 01:19:50.189 applied to March because low income people don't have 01:19:50.740 --> 01:19:54.679 the income to to make this change, I mean, to 01:19:54.689 --> 01:19:57.480 pay for it. 01:19:57.480 --> 01:19:58.867 Thank you. 01:19:58.892 --> 01:20:01.780 Thank you very much. 01:20:01.780 --> 01:20:03.993 Operator, the next caller, please. 01:20:04.018 --> 01:20:05.620 President 01:20:05.620 --> 01:20:09.130 Batjer, there are no more speakers on the comment 01:20:09.299 --> 01:20:15.370 telephone line. I'm concerned about the people 01:20:15.370 --> 01:20:19.579 that mister, one of our speakers a few minutes ago mentioned 01:20:19.870 --> 01:20:24.140 that there were several folks, he said ten, I think. 01:20:24.199 --> 01:20:29.199 that were waiting to get onto the line to call in. 01:20:29.780 --> 01:20:32.309 Is there a possibility that for some reason, they couldn't 01:20:32.309 --> 01:20:36.089 call in? Robert, are you still on the line with us? 01:20:38.099 --> 01:20:40.390 Yes. The President Batjer. This is Robert Stanford. 01:20:40.980 --> 01:20:43.410 Do you know if there are other people that are 01:20:43.410 --> 01:20:49.079 waiting? Is there any way for us to know that? 01:20:49.579 --> 01:20:52.459 I'm not sure why they couldn't get on the line. 01:20:52.469 --> 01:20:53.658 They wanted to speak. 01:20:53.683 --> 01:20:55.469 I am checking on that President 01:20:55.469 --> 01:20:57.015 Batjer. Give me one minute. 01:20:57.040 --> 01:20:58.414 Okay. Thank you, Robert 01:21:00.480 --> 01:21:02.980 President Batjer, this is Commissioner Randolph. I 01:21:02.980 --> 01:21:06.230 just wanted to note that I lost my video because my 01:21:06.230 --> 01:21:09.740 computer decided to restart itself. But I'm 01:21:09.740 --> 01:21:12.559 still here on audio, and hopefully, I'll be back online 01:21:12.559 --> 01:21:13.287 in a moment. 01:21:13.312 --> 01:21:15.470 Yes, I do. See that we lost you. Okay. 01:21:15.469 --> 01:21:21.099 Great. Thank you for thank you for notifying us. 01:21:21.099 --> 01:21:23.640 We're just doing some checking to make sure that indeed 01:21:23.640 --> 01:21:28.390 everyone that wanted to speak on the phone lines 01:21:28.540 --> 01:21:32.480 has had an opportunity to do so. 01:21:32.480 --> 01:21:32.850 Ma'am-- 01:21:32.875 --> 01:21:33.531 So what we'll-- 01:21:37.980 --> 01:21:41.049 While we're waiting, I think we should go to the 01:21:41.059 --> 01:21:46.469 email. Those people that have written in. I will 01:21:46.480 --> 01:21:51.380 ask Public Advisor Brown if we have any email. 01:21:51.380 --> 01:21:54.240 Yes, President Batjer. This is Allison Brown. Can you 01:21:54.250 --> 01:21:55.053 hear me alright? 01:21:55.078 --> 01:21:56.660 Yes, I can hear you fine. Thank 01:21:56.660 --> 01:21:58.765 you, Alison. 01:21:58.790 --> 01:22:01.884 Perfect. We have a two 01:22:01.896 --> 01:22:05.079 comments that we have--(audio distortion) 01:22:05.079 --> 01:22:07.682 Alison, you're fading out now, unfortunately. 01:22:07.707 --> 01:22:08.550 Okay 01:22:08.559 --> 01:22:12.939 let me, I will readjust. Alright. The first 01:22:12.939 --> 01:22:17.329 comment is from Jim Stewart, Ph. D. It reads, I am opposed 01:22:17.329 --> 01:22:21.500 to item number four of the CPUC's May 7th agenda. This approves 01:22:21.510 --> 01:22:24.750 PG&E's advice letter describing proposed allocations 01:22:25.120 --> 01:22:29.290 of carbon-free energy--(noise)--hydro and nuclear to see CCAs 01:22:29.299 --> 01:22:32.280 that ask for it. This reminds us all that Diablo 01:22:32.280 --> 01:22:35.240 Canyon should be shut down immediately to save 01:22:35.240 --> 01:22:38.459 ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars per year, plus 01:22:38.469 --> 01:22:41.689 saving billions of fish killed by the hot water. In 01:22:41.689 --> 01:22:45.150 addition, the CPUC should reject any agreement with 01:22:45.160 --> 01:22:48.849 PG&E that does not require immediate installation, 01:22:48.860 --> 01:22:52.209 this year, of arc interrupters throughout fire prone 01:22:52.209 --> 01:22:56.290 areas to eliminate any downed wires starting fires 01:22:56.829 --> 01:23:01.120 as SDG&E have done. Also, all bare wires need 01:23:01.120 --> 01:23:04.809 to be replaced with steel core triple-insulated wires 01:23:04.819 --> 01:23:08.219 within five years. These requirements need to be part 01:23:08.219 --> 01:23:11.349 of the agreement with PG&E to protect us from more 01:23:11.349 --> 01:23:14.419 wildfires. 01:23:14.419 --> 01:23:18.990 And the second comment is regarding Item 27. It reads, 01:23:19.579 --> 01:23:22.689 Dear Commissioners, I wanted to comment on the proposed 01:23:22.689 --> 01:23:25.770 rule making setting forth the schedule and plans for carrying 01:23:25.770 --> 01:23:28.969 out the next phase of the integrated resource planning 01:23:28.969 --> 01:23:32.429 process. I'd first like to point out that the proposed 01:23:32.429 --> 01:23:35.410 rulemaking fails to take account of the fact that we 01:23:35.410 --> 01:23:37.839 are now living at an extraordinarily different and 01:23:37.839 --> 01:23:40.510 challenging time from the world that we've come to 01:23:40.510 --> 01:23:44.490 see as normal. The new abnormal is a shattered economy, 01:23:44.740 --> 01:23:48.020 massive unemployment, lost state and local revenue, 01:23:48.290 --> 01:23:51.860 and tremendous uncertainty. The Commission's decision 01:23:51.870 --> 01:23:55.110 to delay procurement and new investment, which are needed 01:23:55.110 --> 01:23:58.669 to meet both reliability, climate and clean energy 01:23:58.669 --> 01:24:01.610 goals, could have the effect of slowing California's 01:24:01.610 --> 01:24:04.949 economic recovery. Second, while the proposed 01:24:04.949 --> 01:24:07.410 rulemaking includes the provision of coordinating with 01:24:07.410 --> 01:24:10.490 the California Energy Commission, which is important 01:24:10.880 --> 01:24:14.849 both because of the CEC's role in planning for 01:24:14.860 --> 01:24:19.160 SB100, as well is reviewing the IRPs of publicly 01:24:19.160 --> 01:24:21.890 owned utilities, we believe the Commission, and 01:24:21.890 --> 01:24:24.819 especially its staff, could learn a great deal from the 01:24:24.819 --> 01:24:27.939 different methodologies and approaches being used by 01:24:27.949 --> 01:24:31.469 innovative publicly-owned utilities such as the Los 01:24:31.469 --> 01:24:34.179 Angeles Department of Water and Power, which along 01:24:34.179 --> 01:24:37.030 with its consultant, the National Renewable Energy 01:24:37.030 --> 01:24:40.730 Laboratory, is taking a more ambitious and comprehensive 01:24:40.730 --> 01:24:44.650 approach to meet climate, clean energy, and reliability 01:24:44.650 --> 01:24:47.900 needs in the assumptions and analytical tools upon 01:24:47.900 --> 01:24:51.309 which the Commission, its staff, and its private consultants 01:24:51.319 --> 01:24:55.740 are relying. Third, we would like to suggest that, before 01:24:55.740 --> 01:24:59.349 embarking on another IRP cycle, that the Commission 01:24:59.349 --> 01:25:03.500 should hold on en banc hearing to enable LSEs, 01:25:03.980 --> 01:25:07.579 interested parties and other agencies with responsibilities 01:25:07.589 --> 01:25:10.290 for meeting statutory climate and clean energy goals 01:25:10.960 --> 01:25:13.389 to share directly with the Commission their observations, 01:25:13.879 --> 01:25:17.670 experience, and suggestions for making the next iteration 01:25:17.670 --> 01:25:21.290 of the IRP more successful and likely to be implemented, 01:25:21.619 --> 01:25:24.879 so that California gets back on track in meeting GHG 01:25:24.879 --> 01:25:28.609 reduction and clean energy targets, including near 01:25:28.609 --> 01:25:31.680 term procurement of critically important resources, 01:25:31.680 --> 01:25:34.920 such as long duration storage and offshore wind. 01:25:35.280 --> 01:25:39.750 Thank you for listening. Signed B. John White, Executive Director 01:25:39.750 --> 01:25:43.149 of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology. 01:25:44.549 --> 01:25:47.119 And that concludes the comments that we received online. 01:25:47.490 --> 01:25:49.113 Thank you. 01:25:49.138 --> 01:25:53.981 Thank you, Advisor Brown. Can we, have 01:25:53.980 --> 01:25:57.569 we learned if there's anybody else on the 01:25:57.569 --> 01:26:01.540 line that's waiting to get in to the public comment 01:26:01.540 --> 01:26:04.980 telephone line? 01:26:04.980 --> 01:26:09.730 There has been one. Eli Gonzales, please state your 01:26:09.730 --> 01:26:13.180 organizations. 01:26:13.180 --> 01:26:16.280 Hi. My name is Elliot. I'm with Stop Fracking Long 01:26:16.280 --> 01:26:18.483 Beach. Can you all hear me? 01:26:18.508 --> 01:26:19.896 Yes, we can. 01:26:19.921 --> 01:26:20.359 Oh, great. 01:26:20.359 --> 01:26:23.589 I just wanted to say I appreciated hearing everybody's 01:26:23.599 --> 01:26:27.339 comment, especially of the youth, you know, fighting 01:26:27.339 --> 01:26:30.049 for their future, you know, and really, it's nothing 01:26:30.049 --> 01:26:35.619 less. I am a low income ratepayer here in Long 01:26:35.619 --> 01:26:39.260 Beach. And, Edison, actually, I don't know 01:26:39.260 --> 01:26:41.909 if you guys know this, but you need to know this. 01:26:42.159 --> 01:26:44.859 Edision will check your credit periodically. And if you're 01:26:44.859 --> 01:26:48.200 a low income person, they will ask for an additional 01:26:48.200 --> 01:26:52.069 deposit, which you can only get back by paying a year 01:26:52.250 --> 01:26:58.030 of no late payments to get your deposit refunded to 01:26:58.030 --> 01:27:02.530 you once you once you leave your unit. So we just 01:27:02.530 --> 01:27:05.599 got a notice asking for an additional deposit. So we 01:27:05.599 --> 01:27:08.599 paid our deposit and, you know, when we set up our 01:27:08.599 --> 01:27:12.049 electricity, and now, they want an additional deposit 01:27:12.049 --> 01:27:14.909 because our credit has gone has gone down because, 01:27:14.920 --> 01:27:17.389 you know, we're struggling. Poor people are struggling, 01:27:17.389 --> 01:27:20.430 and we have been for years now. So I just wanted to 01:27:20.430 --> 01:27:23.690 share that with you because I'm hearing a lot of predatory 01:27:23.690 --> 01:27:27.349 behavior from Pacific Gas and Electric, and a lot of 01:27:27.349 --> 01:27:30.990 other low income ratepayers are saying that they need 01:27:30.990 --> 01:27:35.659 assistance. And Edison will simply give you some 01:27:35.659 --> 01:27:39.450 information about their programs. Yet they have predatory 01:27:39.450 --> 01:27:43.530 practices that they are enacting on low income consumers. 01:27:43.750 --> 01:27:46.010 And I don't know if any of you all are low income 01:27:46.010 --> 01:27:48.819 consumers, so you may not be getting these type of 01:27:48.819 --> 01:27:51.659 predatory behaviors. So I did want to put that on 01:27:51.659 --> 01:27:54.220 your radar, that it is not appropriate to ask for an 01:27:54.220 --> 01:27:57.760 additional deposit. They don't need it and on, and 01:27:57.760 --> 01:28:00.510 that they're targeting poor people during a moment 01:28:00.520 --> 01:28:03.540 of crisis. So I wanted to share that with you, as well 01:28:03.540 --> 01:28:07.079 as express my solidarity with all of the young people 01:28:07.079 --> 01:28:09.374 who are fighting for their future. Thank you. 01:28:09.399 --> 01:28:12.444 Thank you. If there's 01:28:12.456 --> 01:28:15.950 anybody that is trying, that's on the phone who 01:28:15.950 --> 01:28:19.889 wants to make a comment, you need to press *1. 01:28:26.430 --> 01:28:36.780 Operator, are there any other callers? 01:28:36.780 --> 01:28:40.010 Operato? Or Robert, ff you're on, are there any other 01:28:40.010 --> 01:28:42.079 callers? 01:28:42.079 --> 01:28:43.129 Hello, ma'am. 01:28:43.154 --> 01:28:43.935 Yes 01:28:43.961 --> 01:28:46.280 Yes, there is a caller on here, but 01:28:46.290 --> 01:28:49.059 he's on mute. I'm calling out to him and they're not 01:28:49.069 --> 01:28:51.220 speaking back, so I don't know who to open the line up 01:28:51.230 --> 01:28:53.980 for. 01:28:53.980 --> 01:28:57.020 Okay, if you can hear us, please unmute your phone. 01:28:58.579 --> 01:29:01.480 I'll call back out to you 01:29:18.480 --> 01:29:22.079 Okay. We're going to have to, 01:29:22.079 --> 01:29:25.280 if there are no more callers or anyone waiting on 01:29:25.280 --> 01:29:28.940 the line that has not pressed *1, we're going to 01:29:28.940 --> 01:29:34.879 need to conclude Public Comment period. 01:29:34.879 --> 01:29:36.462 Operator? 01:29:36.487 --> 01:29:39.980 Yes? Stan Greshner. 01:29:39.980 --> 01:29:41.982 Is that the person you were referring to earlier? 01:29:42.007 --> 01:29:44.720 Yes ma'am. 01:29:44.720 --> 01:29:45.870 Go forward. 01:29:45.895 --> 01:29:48.379 Hello? Can you hear me? 01:29:48.379 --> 01:29:50.480 Yeah. I just wanted to let you know. I called in 01:29:50.490 --> 01:29:53.220 several times, including before 10 o'clock and have been 01:29:53.220 --> 01:29:56.710 on hold. So there might be others who are got kicked 01:29:56.710 --> 01:29:58.790 off as well. You know, we thought we were missing Public 01:29:58.790 --> 01:30:00.809 Comment, so thank you for opening it back. 01:30:00.834 --> 01:30:02.170 Thank you. We're trying 01:30:02.180 --> 01:30:04.700 to get them. I'm sorry that there's been that difficulty 01:30:05.480 --> 01:30:08.149 Yeah. Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. It's 01:30:08.149 --> 01:30:11.049 good to be with you all this morning. I was Stan Greshner, 01:30:11.049 --> 01:30:14.200 with Good Alternatives. I also served as chair of 01:30:14.200 --> 01:30:17.599 the CPUC Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group, or DCAG, 01:30:17.839 --> 01:30:21.420 and I'm here today representing the DCAG to speak 01:30:21.430 --> 01:30:24.319 specifically on the Environmental and Social Justice 01:30:24.329 --> 01:30:27.829 Action Plan that you'll be discussing later today. 01:30:28.389 --> 01:30:30.780 First, I want to thank Commissioners Guzman Aceves 01:30:30.780 --> 01:30:34.200 and Rechtschaffen for their teams and Commission staff 01:30:34.200 --> 01:30:38.250 who collaborated with the DCAG to develop 01:30:38.730 --> 01:30:42.290 this ESJ plan last year, and again, thank all the Commissioners 01:30:42.290 --> 01:30:45.270 for adopting the plan. Many of the recommendations 01:30:45.280 --> 01:30:48.990 put forward by the DCAG were incorporated into the 01:30:48.990 --> 01:30:52.409 Environmental Social Justice Action Plan, including 01:30:52.420 --> 01:30:55.230 adopting many of the equity principles that the 01:30:55.230 --> 01:31:00.000 DCAG outlined in its own equity framework. The ESJ 01:31:00.099 --> 01:31:04.010 plan was a great initial step, an initial blueprint 01:31:04.010 --> 01:31:07.409 that created a good framework to identify the systemic 01:31:07.420 --> 01:31:11.319 issues within the PUC that have created barriers for 01:31:11.329 --> 01:31:15.129 equitable participation and equitable programming within 01:31:15.129 --> 01:31:19.190 the CPUC and the utilities. But the DCAG also 01:31:19.190 --> 01:31:22.899 recognized it as being just that first step, and we've 01:31:22.899 --> 01:31:25.670 discussed in subsequent conversations that the plan 01:31:25.670 --> 01:31:28.799 cannot be just a static document or simple 01:31:28.799 --> 01:31:31.899 guide. But it has to be activated across the entire 01:31:31.899 --> 01:31:35.670 PUC with intention to change culture and structures 01:31:36.079 --> 01:31:39.809 and needs ongoing leadership from all of 01:31:39.809 --> 01:31:42.740 you, from the Commissioners, and within all the 01:31:42.740 --> 01:31:47.240 departments, within the ALJS and all staff, 01:31:47.490 --> 01:31:50.460 to address the structural barriers that unintentionally 01:31:50.460 --> 01:31:53.460 limit the voices at the table in many of these important 01:31:53.460 --> 01:31:56.990 conversations. We know processes need to change to 01:31:56.990 --> 01:32:00.690 open the dialogue to include more diverse perspectives. 01:32:01.220 --> 01:32:05.399 And that relying on precedent to justify decisions or 01:32:05.399 --> 01:32:10.389 how we move forward can no longer be held as sacrosanct. 01:32:10.980 --> 01:32:13.510 It is precedent that we need to move beyond, and that 01:32:13.510 --> 01:32:16.770 has created many of the legacy equity challenges we 01:32:16.770 --> 01:32:20.899 need to address. It's a great (ring) straight undertaking, and we're 01:32:20.899 --> 01:32:24.230 thrilled that the PUC has taking (ring) proactive steps to accept 01:32:24.230 --> 01:32:28.790 this challenge. A few more seconds. (ring) And there's Commissions--(ring)-- 01:32:31.579 --> 01:32:33.690 The Commission should also not stop at its own doors 01:32:33.889 --> 01:32:36.859 to demand changed. The CPUC is here to regulate the utilities, 01:32:37.049 --> 01:32:39.579 and the utilities themselves must incorporate the ESJ 01:32:39.589 --> 01:32:42.399 action plan into their own process and changes. 01:32:42.559 --> 01:32:45.200 And we've seen many instances where the program design or 01:32:45.200 --> 01:32:47.899 procurement practices don't align with strong equity 01:32:47.899 --> 01:32:49.300 requirements or considerations-- 01:32:49.325 --> 01:32:50.701 I think, sir, excuse me, you're 01:32:50.700 --> 01:32:52.775 going to need to conclude. 01:32:52.800 --> 01:32:54.770 I will conclude. And as we 01:32:54.770 --> 01:32:57.109 discussed as CPUC staff, just couple of weeks ago, the 01:32:57.109 --> 01:32:59.809 DCAG will continue working closely with all of you 01:32:59.809 --> 01:33:02.270 to support the integration of the ESJ plan and the 01:33:02.270 --> 01:33:05.770 principles throughout the Commission. The DCAG members are here 01:33:05.950 --> 01:33:08.740 as your advisors and you should feel confident reaching 01:33:08.740 --> 01:33:11.129 out to share ideas and perspectives and questions with 01:33:11.129 --> 01:33:14.450 us. We all stand ready to support this effort. So thank 01:33:14.450 --> 01:33:16.799 you for your ongoing leadership on this. On this effort. 01:33:18.480 --> 01:33:22.220 Thank you. Operator, I understand there are four people 01:33:22.220 --> 01:33:25.079 that are in the queue to speak? Is that-- 01:33:25.104 --> 01:33:26.124 That's correct. 01:33:26.149 --> 01:33:26.488 Okay. 01:33:26.690 --> 01:33:30.359 So, let's take those four. And then we'll 01:33:30.359 --> 01:33:34.059 need to bring the public comment period 01:33:34.059 --> 01:33:35.154 to a close. 01:33:35.179 --> 01:33:38.440 Yes, ma'am. Michael LaGary, please state 01:33:38.440 --> 01:33:40.042 your organization? 01:33:40.067 --> 01:33:42.913 Yes. Aguirre and Severson. 01:33:48.210 --> 01:33:50.327 Go ahead, Mr Aguirre. 01:33:50.352 --> 01:33:51.990 Thank you very much. First of all 01:33:51.990 --> 01:33:55.389 I want to thank you very much for allowing public comment. 01:33:55.879 --> 01:33:59.319 Some of our state agencies and local agencies are 01:33:59.319 --> 01:34:01.819 not allowing oral comment. And so I want to thank you 01:34:01.819 --> 01:34:06.670 for that. Number two. After having engaged in a lot 01:34:06.670 --> 01:34:09.799 of warfare with CPC over the last several years, I 01:34:09.799 --> 01:34:12.990 want to say on the record that I have grown to respect 01:34:13.480 --> 01:34:19.799 the staff of the CPUC and many of the folks that 01:34:20.180 --> 01:34:23.089 are the lawyers that present, that represent the CPUC. 01:34:23.480 --> 01:34:26.170 But there's one observation that I would ask you to 01:34:26.170 --> 01:34:30.589 consider. And that is the big picture of why has the 01:34:30.599 --> 01:34:34.690 CPUC not been successful? What is the reason 01:34:35.030 --> 01:34:39.399 that we have PG&E in bankruptcy, Southern California 01:34:39.399 --> 01:34:42.740 Edison in trouble? What's behind all that? And I would 01:34:42.740 --> 01:34:47.670 offer up this one suggestion. When the CPUC acts like 01:34:47.670 --> 01:34:52.619 the CPUC, when the CPUC staff, it's Commissioners, it's 01:34:52.619 --> 01:34:56.089 attorneys, are allowed to carry out their responsibilities 01:34:56.540 --> 01:35:00.309 as those responsibilities were anticipated and provided 01:35:00.309 --> 01:35:03.079 for in the State Constitution and in the development 01:35:03.079 --> 01:35:05.240 and the history of administrative decisions and legal 01:35:05.240 --> 01:35:08.490 decisions. They do well, and they can do well when 01:35:08.490 --> 01:35:11.619 they obey the rules, when they make their decisions 01:35:11.619 --> 01:35:13.950 based on records that have developed before the ALJs 01:35:13.950 --> 01:35:17.280 when they allow their ALJ's to really exercise 01:35:17.280 --> 01:35:20.069 independent judgment, they are successful and they 01:35:20.069 --> 01:35:23.589 will be successful. Where the PUC has gotten in trouble 01:35:24.059 --> 01:35:28.099 is it has allowed the utilities to go to the Legislature 01:35:28.299 --> 01:35:31.639 to go to the Governor's office, to work their lobbyists 01:35:31.649 --> 01:35:34.670 through those two avenues, and then to put pressure 01:35:34.670 --> 01:35:38.260 on the CPUC not to meet their responsibilities. And 01:35:38.260 --> 01:35:41.899 that's how come we have PG&E and the trouble 01:35:41.899 --> 01:35:44.389 that they're in and starting the fires. You know, we 01:35:44.389 --> 01:35:48.899 have a convicted felon, not just a convicted felon 01:35:48.899 --> 01:35:51.089 with regard to San Bruno, but now they are a convicted 01:35:51.099 --> 01:35:56.099 felon with regard to 84 criminal homicides in 01:35:56.099 --> 01:36:01.089 the Camp Fire. Please, speak to your consciences. Please 01:36:01.680 --> 01:36:07.599 be true to the CPUC and not allow yourselves to be 01:36:07.599 --> 01:36:10.859 politicized through the Governor's office and 01:36:10.859 --> 01:36:15.248 through the Legislature. Thank you. 01:36:15.273 --> 01:36:17.153 Thank you. 01:36:17.270 --> 01:36:25.780 Operator, the next caller, please. 01:36:25.780 --> 01:36:29.530 Hello? This is Laura Rosenberg of Fresno's Against 01:36:29.530 --> 01:36:32.930 Fracking. Diablo Canyon Nuclear plants is a 01:36:32.940 --> 01:36:36.280 bad investment. While the Chair of the Nuclear Commission 01:36:36.280 --> 01:36:39.089 under Obama believed that nuclear power was dangerous 01:36:39.480 --> 01:36:42.240 and there's an increased risk of leakage through the 01:36:42.250 --> 01:36:45.149 earthquakes, especially hydraulic fracturing is will 01:36:45.149 --> 01:36:51.430 increase the rate of earthquakes, and that's occurring 01:36:51.440 --> 01:36:54.899 starting to occur right now. And also where is the 01:36:54.899 --> 01:36:57.480 nuclear waste disposed of? That's the question, because 01:36:57.480 --> 01:37:01.700 it might set in an EJ community, and it's hard to 01:37:01.700 --> 01:37:05.319 dispose of. And Toxic algal blooms are linked to its hot 01:37:05.319 --> 01:37:09.079 water coming out of the plant and 01:37:09.079 --> 01:37:13.119 And then also fire's an issue. That any agreement 01:37:13.119 --> 01:37:17.210 PG&E needs arc interrupters and replacing bad wires 01:37:17.530 --> 01:37:21.099 The fires result in more death from benzene exposure 01:37:21.109 --> 01:37:28.879 from melted plastic. 01:37:28.879 --> 01:37:31.740 Thanks. 01:37:31.740 --> 01:37:35.817 Miss Elizabeth with Youth and Apocalypse. 01:37:35.842 --> 01:37:38.309 Can you hear me? I'm Elizabeth 01:37:38.309 --> 01:37:41.599 with Youth versus Apocalypse. I'm a high school student 01:37:41.609 --> 01:37:46.099 in Richmond, California and I'm calling, and I 01:37:46.099 --> 01:37:50.069 want to talk about the plan to restructure PG&E. 01:37:50.440 --> 01:37:53.599 I believe that this deal is a bad deal, that the corporate 01:37:53.609 --> 01:37:57.899 ownership based power, the control of energy should 01:37:57.909 --> 01:38:00.879 be in the hands of the community. With PG&E 01:38:00.879 --> 01:38:04.829 in control, their decision are made with making profits 01:38:04.829 --> 01:38:09.250 in mind rather than serving the community. The decisions 01:38:09.260 --> 01:38:12.990 they make about wildfire safety and power shutoffs 01:38:13.000 --> 01:38:15.889 negatively impact us, and they should be held 01:38:16.379 --> 01:38:21.010 criminally liable for the damage they continue 01:38:21.010 --> 01:38:30.129 to cause. We need the community 01:38:30.129 --> 01:38:34.819 sorry, we need to stop because the community and those 01:38:34.849 --> 01:38:39.119 being impacted are the ones to have to take the consequences 01:38:39.119 --> 01:38:44.349 of PG&E's mistakes. Executives need to pay and give back. Give 01:38:44.349 --> 01:38:48.780 us what we need, which is to build a livable future 01:38:49.159 --> 01:38:52.619 We're reclaiming our power because we need and deserve 01:38:52.629 --> 01:38:55.309 to own our own system and give different and better. 01:38:55.700 --> 01:38:58.295 Thank you. 01:38:58.320 --> 01:39:01.149 Thank you. 01:39:01.149 --> 01:39:03.352 Any other callers, operator? 01:39:03.377 --> 01:39:05.264 Next caller, Miss Imani 01:39:05.510 --> 01:39:11.710 from, you may ask your question. 01:39:11.710 --> 01:39:17.079 Please go ahead. Hi. 01:39:17.079 --> 01:39:18.184 Go ahead. 01:39:18.209 --> 01:39:21.500 My name is Imani and I live in 01:39:21.510 --> 01:39:25.149 Oakland. I worked with Youth versus Apocalypse. We 01:39:25.149 --> 01:39:29.000 deserve a different PG&E because they never executed 01:39:29.000 --> 01:39:31.809 all their job requirements and are responsible for almost 01:39:31.819 --> 01:39:37.420 100 deaths including my grandmother's. In 2019, PG&E were 01:39:37.420 --> 01:39:40.430 turning off power in the Albany area, which is where 01:39:40.430 --> 01:39:44.680 my grandma was living at the time. She was using a 01:39:44.680 --> 01:39:47.869 machine to remove the fluid in her lungs. And when PG&E 01:39:47.869 --> 01:39:50.680 cut the power, 01:39:50.680 --> 01:39:53.180 they killed her. 01:39:53.180 --> 01:39:55.879 It was the only thing keeping her alive because she 01:39:55.879 --> 01:40:01.020 also had cancer. More people shouldn't 01:40:01.020 --> 01:40:04.599 have to go through this. Please don't let them. Please 01:40:04.599 --> 01:40:06.930 don't let this happen to anyone else. Thank you for 01:40:06.930 --> 01:40:07.725 your time. 01:40:07.750 --> 01:40:10.109 Thank you. And I'm sorry if you had to wait 01:40:10.109 --> 01:40:12.030 on the line. Thank you very much. 01:40:12.055 --> 01:40:13.020 It's okay. Thank 01:40:13.020 --> 01:40:16.879 you so much. 01:40:16.879 --> 01:40:20.180 Operator, I think we have one more caller? 01:40:20.180 --> 01:40:23.079 President Batjer, there are no more speakers on the 01:40:23.079 --> 01:40:25.455 public comment telephone line. 01:40:25.480 --> 01:40:27.119 Okay, thank you very 01:40:27.119 --> 01:40:31.609 much. We have read the emails that came in prior to 01:40:31.619 --> 01:40:36.780 10 AM this morning. So, in that there are 01:40:36.780 --> 01:40:40.760 no more callers on the line, the public comment 01:40:40.770 --> 01:40:42.993 period is now closed. 01:40:43.018 --> 01:40:45.848 President Batjer. 01:40:45.873 --> 01:40:46.132 Yes. 01:40:46.157 --> 01:40:46.909 This is Commissioner 01:40:46.909 --> 01:40:50.549 Rechtschaffen. I just wanted to comment on the caller 01:40:50.980 --> 01:40:56.129 who raised the concern about Edison's requirement to 01:40:56.129 --> 01:40:59.440 impose an additional deposit. And I just want, I 01:40:59.440 --> 01:41:01.040 don't know if he's still on the line, but I wanted 01:41:01.049 --> 01:41:04.909 to assure him that we will follow up about that. I 01:41:04.909 --> 01:41:07.799 don't know if that's covered by our existing suite 01:41:07.799 --> 01:41:10.750 of consumer protections that we've enacted or not, 01:41:10.760 --> 01:41:13.460 but in any case, we will follow up to find out what 01:41:13.460 --> 01:41:15.868 it is doing and if it's appropriate. 01:41:15.893 --> 01:41:17.339 And he also mentioned 01:41:17.339 --> 01:41:20.549 that the other two IOUs may also have a similar 01:41:20.549 --> 01:41:24.200 situation. So I would suggest that we look into all 01:41:24.200 --> 01:41:28.799 three of the major IOUs for the same thing. Thank 01:41:28.799 --> 01:41:31.409 you Commissioner Rechtschaffen, I had taken note of that 01:41:31.409 --> 01:41:34.879 as well. There any other comments from the Commissioners 01:41:34.879 --> 01:41:38.480 about the public comment period? 01:41:38.480 --> 01:41:41.559 Okay, thank you. 01:41:41.559 --> 01:41:45.879 The public comment period is now closed. 01:41:45.879 --> 01:41:50.700 Thank you, Operator. Item five on the May 7th meeting 01:41:50.700 --> 01:41:54.230 agenda was subject to a rate-setting deliberative meeting 01:41:54.690 --> 01:42:00.260 for Virtuous and RGM and a hold to the May 28th 01:42:00.879 --> 01:42:03.970 voting meeting has been requested and indeed 01:42:03.970 --> 01:42:08.059 granted. As a result, this item will be subject to 01:42:08.059 --> 01:42:12.719 a default ex parte quiet period, pursuant to Public 01:42:12.719 --> 01:42:20.130 Utility Section 1701.3h6. This item may be subject 01:42:20.130 --> 01:42:23.520 to additional quiet time if the 01:42:23.520 --> 01:42:27.090 Commission chooses to extend the default quiet time. 01:42:27.900 --> 01:42:32.500 The default quiet time is as follows. No oral or written 01:42:32.500 --> 01:42:36.349 ex parte communication will be allowed from May 25, 01:42:36.650 --> 01:42:43.770 2022, through the end of the May 28, 2020, Voting Meeting. If 01:42:43.770 --> 01:42:47.400 the Commission establishes additional 01:42:47.400 --> 01:42:51.389 quiet time for this item, oral and written ex parte 01:42:51.389 --> 01:42:54.790 communications will be restricted during that additional 01:42:54.790 --> 01:43:00.210 quiet time. If this item is held again. Excuse me. The 01:43:00.210 --> 01:43:03.369 Commission will continue to have the ability to establish 01:43:03.380 --> 01:43:08.480 further ex parte quiet period. 01:43:08.480 --> 01:43:12.690 Moving on the agenda. These are the following changes 01:43:12.699 --> 01:43:16.940 to today's agenda. 01:43:16.940 --> 01:43:24.250 Item number two will be held until the 5-28-20 Commission 01:43:24.250 --> 01:43:29.480 meeting. Item number five will be held to the 5-28-20 01:43:29.489 --> 01:43:33.250 Commission meeting. Item number eight will be held 01:43:33.259 --> 01:43:39.520 to the 5-28-20 Commission meeting. Item 12 will be 01:43:39.529 --> 01:43:44.610 held until the 5-28-20 Commission meeting. Item 16 01:43:44.770 --> 01:43:49.389 will be held to the 5-28-20 Commission meeting and 01:43:49.400 --> 01:43:56.630 item 33 will be held until the 5-28-20 Commission meeting. 01:43:59.679 --> 01:44:04.480 These are, we will now take, excuse me, we will now take 01:44:04.480 --> 01:44:07.889 up the consent items. Is there an, is there a motion? 01:44:09.270 --> 01:44:12.696 So moved. 01:44:12.721 --> 01:44:14.610 Is there a second? 01:44:14.610 --> 01:44:16.452 I'll second the motion. 01:44:16.477 --> 01:44:17.449 Thank you. It's been moved 01:44:17.449 --> 01:44:22.000 and seconded. Will the agenda clerk please call the 01:44:22.000 --> 01:44:25.199 roll. 01:44:25.199 --> 01:44:26.763 Commissioner Shiroma? 01:44:26.788 --> 01:44:27.284 Aye. 01:44:27.309 --> 01:44:29.553 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 01:44:30.469 --> 01:44:31.446 Aye. 01:44:31.471 --> 01:44:33.651 Commissioner Randolph. 01:44:33.676 --> 01:44:34.378 Aye. 01:44:34.403 --> 01:44:37.408 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 01:44:37.432 --> 01:44:38.409 Aye. 01:44:38.409 --> 01:44:39.747 President Batjer? 01:44:39.772 --> 01:44:43.369 Aye. Thank you. The consent agenda items have 01:44:43.380 --> 01:44:47.099 been passed unanimously. Commissioner Shiroma 01:44:47.110 --> 01:44:51.500 would like to make remarks on item 26. And Commissioner 01:44:51.500 --> 01:44:54.770 Guzman Aceves would like to make remarks on Item 01:44:54.770 --> 01:44:58.989 19 and 23. And I will be making a remark on Item 01:44:59.650 --> 01:45:02.236 23. Commissioner Shiroma? 01:45:02.261 --> 01:45:05.674 Yes, Thank you, President Batjer. 01:45:06.750 --> 01:45:10.420 I would like to highlight the decision we just 01:45:10.429 --> 01:45:15.579 voted out on Consent Item 26. We had several public 01:45:15.969 --> 01:45:21.670 commenters on this item which temporarily reduces 01:45:21.679 --> 01:45:25.279 the high usage charge for Pacific Gas and Electric, 01:45:25.719 --> 01:45:28.300 Southern California Edision, and San Diego Gas 01:45:28.309 --> 01:45:32.460 and Electric residental customers during the tendency of 01:45:32.460 --> 01:45:37.540 the COVID crisis. The high usage charge or commonly referred 01:45:37.540 --> 01:45:42.059 to as the HUC, is (audio cuts) that applies to 01:45:42.059 --> 01:45:46.409 residential customers on non time of use rates that use 01:45:46.409 --> 01:45:51.400 more than 400% of the baseline energy usage for their 01:45:51.409 --> 01:45:57.090 area. Now, I'm the assigned Commissioner on a proceeding 01:45:57.489 --> 01:46:04.759 1909014 where, since last year, we have been going through 01:46:04.759 --> 01:46:10.029 the process of evaluating this particular charge. However, 01:46:10.029 --> 01:46:13.469 data collected by Commission, revealed that increases 01:46:13.469 --> 01:46:16.579 in residential extra usage as result of the stay at 01:46:16.579 --> 01:46:20.230 home order will likely result in far more Californians, 01:46:20.759 --> 01:46:24.309 potentially twice as many, paying the Huc than historically 01:46:24.309 --> 01:46:28.509 observed or intended. So toward mitigating the electricity 01:46:28.509 --> 01:46:32.190 bills of customers experiencing the HUC due to the 01:46:32.259 --> 01:46:36.230 mandatory stay at home order. This decision does reduce 01:46:36.340 --> 01:46:41.320 it from 75% of the Tier 2 which is the Tier 01:46:41.320 --> 01:46:48.079 level, to 25%, from 75% to 25%. And this production does 01:46:48.079 --> 01:46:51.739 go into effect starting June 1st, and will remain 01:46:52.110 --> 01:46:56.320 in effect until the either the latter of October 31st 01:46:56.329 --> 01:46:59.559 or the termination of the Governor's stay at home order 01:46:59.559 --> 01:47:06.119 or similar order. Now, again, we have the main proceeding 01:47:06.119 --> 01:47:11.710 where we're looking at the long-term effect 01:47:11.840 --> 01:47:16.719 of this particular rate. But meanwhile, this is the 01:47:16.719 --> 01:47:19.759 latest piece and the Commissioner's coordinated effort 01:47:19.759 --> 01:47:23.070 to ensure residential bills remain manageable during 01:47:23.070 --> 01:47:26.779 this time of crisis. And as we heard from a number of commenters 01:47:27.520 --> 01:47:30.540 they are encouraging us to do as much as we can, we certainly 01:47:30.550 --> 01:47:34.460 are, and we have our website CPUC.CA.GOV 01:47:34.460 --> 01:47:38.790 There is a link there for all of the 01:47:38.790 --> 01:47:42.869 COVID related activities of the Commission and one of 01:47:42.869 --> 01:47:46.440 the comments, several commenters talked about having 01:47:46.440 --> 01:47:51.770 wanted to have new rate be retroactive. 01:47:53.059 --> 01:47:59.449 Now, we previously voted out the climate credit, the 01:47:59.449 --> 01:48:04.869 climate credit provides for some rate relief in the April 01:48:04.869 --> 01:48:10.259 bill. Also, we voted out in the climate credit moving 01:48:10.960 --> 01:48:15.389 to also cover May and June. And so we are, we're 01:48:15.389 --> 01:48:21.009 hopeful that those efforts will provide for some mitigation 01:48:21.389 --> 01:48:27.309 as the HUC does then kick in. Now, 01:48:27.320 --> 01:48:31.960 and people will see on the website that there 01:48:31.969 --> 01:48:34.849 has been no disconnection, no penalties, what 01:48:34.849 --> 01:48:39.130 have you, and people can check it out now. I would like 01:48:39.130 --> 01:48:42.380 to extend my sincerest thanks to Judge Patrick 01:48:42.380 --> 01:48:47.059 Doherty. Massoud Fuda in the Energy division, 01:48:47.070 --> 01:48:50.250 and my Energy Advisor, Mary Claire Brown and the rest 01:48:50.250 --> 01:48:53.650 of the team who worked on this decision really for 01:48:53.650 --> 01:48:56.840 their very speedy work to get this relief measure 01:48:56.849 --> 01:49:00.500 in place in time to make a difference on customer bills. 01:49:00.790 --> 01:49:01.612 Thank you. 01:49:01.637 --> 01:49:04.079 Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma. Commissioner 01:49:04.079 --> 01:49:07.550 Guzman Aceves? 01:49:07.550 --> 01:49:10.229 Thank you, President Batjer. I wanted to speak 01:49:10.254 --> 01:49:13.726 on a couple of the telecommunication related items that we 01:49:13.751 --> 01:49:16.440 voted it out and highlight 01:49:16.465 --> 01:49:19.198 a little bit of what they do and how they relate to 01:49:19.223 --> 01:49:24.843 the moment. The first item is related to Item 19, which was a 01:49:24.868 --> 01:49:30.372 request for supplemental funding of $10.8 million, which is, 01:49:30.396 --> 01:49:35.819 I recongize, a large amount for the Climate River Rural Broadband 01:49:35.844 --> 01:49:42.063 Initiative. This project would bring affordable broadband to a service area 01:49:42.088 --> 01:49:47.909 where there's a large amount of unserved population. The project would 01:49:47.934 --> 01:49:53.484 serve the Karook tribe, the Eurok tribe, and some of the non tribal 01:49:53.509 --> 01:49:56.257 affiliated neighbors. We all recently 01:49:56.282 --> 01:49:59.451 received a letter from the group Chairman 01:49:59.476 --> 01:50:02.656 Russell Atterbury, very eloquently stated, 01:50:02.681 --> 01:50:05.170 that the COIVD 19 pandemic proves 01:50:05.196 --> 01:50:10.681 that broadband access is a necessity for all people, no matter where they 01:50:10.705 --> 01:50:16.461 live. And the hardship caused by the pandemic are obviously magnified in poor 01:50:16.486 --> 01:50:19.652 communities because the lack in connectivity. 01:50:19.677 --> 01:50:22.680 Millions of Californians lack this 01:50:22.705 --> 01:50:25.275 essential safety net today for two primary 01:50:25.300 --> 01:50:28.323 reasons, they cannot afford it or does not exist. 01:50:28.349 --> 01:50:30.809 And in this project, we 01:50:30.834 --> 01:50:33.911 have both of these factors. 01:50:33.936 --> 01:50:36.667 We at the Commission, as you stated earlier, President 01:50:36.692 --> 01:50:39.199 Batjer, and then Commissioner Shiroma just stated, 01:50:39.199 --> 01:50:40.759 have been 01:50:40.771 --> 01:50:42.500 working diligently, and I also want to thank 01:50:42.509 --> 01:50:45.099 all of our staff for the work that they continue to 01:50:45.099 --> 01:50:50.029 do. As a basic part of what we do is figuring 01:50:50.029 --> 01:50:53.250 out in this moment what the new approaches are that 01:50:53.250 --> 01:50:56.929 we need to take. We need more participants, particularly 01:50:56.929 --> 01:51:00.449 in the Arena project. You need to empower local governments, 01:51:00.529 --> 01:51:04.159 including tribes, to lead and to build this infrastructure 01:51:04.170 --> 01:51:08.309 for the community. And again, I do want to recognize 01:51:08.320 --> 01:51:12.849 that this will not beat a low cost proposition, especially 01:51:12.849 --> 01:51:16.489 if we want to invest in sustainable communication investments 01:51:16.679 --> 01:51:22.309 such a fiber or cable This supplemental funding can 01:51:22.320 --> 01:51:26.469 provide the group the ability to build out 22 miles 01:51:26.650 --> 01:51:30.309 of middle mile infrastructure. This is an additional 01:51:30.309 --> 01:51:34.509 22 miles to the 82 miles that are already part of 01:51:34.509 --> 01:51:38.270 this project. They will also cover some additional things 01:51:38.270 --> 01:51:42.639 like environmental review and additional labor. And 01:51:42.639 --> 01:51:45.719 as Commissioner Rechtschaffen and Commissioner Randolph 01:51:45.719 --> 01:51:50.199 and myself have learned in our different visits to 01:51:50.199 --> 01:51:55.020 the area, the territory that discovers is so vast and 01:51:55.020 --> 01:52:00.050 the terrain is very rough. Densely forested and has 01:52:00.440 --> 01:52:04.730 a lower density of population of rural community. So 01:52:04.730 --> 01:52:10.550 these projects are not easy. I just want to reiterate 01:52:10.559 --> 01:52:15.040 that while I am very excited for this project moving forward, 01:52:15.790 --> 01:52:18.599 we need additional solutions to make projects like 01:52:18.610 --> 01:52:23.040 this successful. It took well over a year to negotiate 01:52:23.429 --> 01:52:28.099 attaching the fiber to the PG&E lines. It took even 01:52:28.139 --> 01:52:31.250 longer than that to get a point of contact with AT&T 01:52:31.259 --> 01:52:37.150 for interconnectivity. And so this is the opportunity 01:52:37.150 --> 01:52:40.460 here with COVID to figure out what are the most streamlined 01:52:40.460 --> 01:52:44.710 ways to facilitate projects like this that have taken 01:52:44.719 --> 01:52:48.099 nearly a decade to come to fruition. And obviously, this 01:52:48.099 --> 01:52:52.590 is approving the fudning It's not actually for that service today. 01:52:52.590 --> 01:52:57.570 I also wanna reiterate all the CSF team that 01:52:57.579 --> 01:53:01.429 has been working on this, there have been, 01:53:02.630 --> 01:53:06.869 you know, different classes, if you will, (mumble) 01:53:06.880 --> 01:53:10.059 work on, those people have now moved on. So 01:53:10.059 --> 01:53:14.020 I won't be able to name everybody, but just great. 01:53:14.020 --> 01:53:16.509 We want to thank the leadership of that team, and I'll 01:53:16.509 --> 01:53:19.880 move onto the next examples that the CSF team has taken 01:53:19.880 --> 01:53:25.889 on. This item, item 23, is an item related to 01:53:25.900 --> 01:53:29.380 really the calm leadership of the Governor and 01:53:29.389 --> 01:53:32.659 the Superintendent of Public Education of the Department 01:53:32.659 --> 01:53:38.210 Education, Superintendent Tony Sermon, and, as you know, 01:53:39.170 --> 01:53:44.860 our children are going to school at home. And I personally 01:53:44.949 --> 01:53:49.420 know that in my son's class, there are still children 01:53:49.420 --> 01:53:53.110 missing in participation, and they have been distance 01:53:53.110 --> 01:53:57.949 learning for over eight weeks now. They started very early. 01:53:59.179 --> 01:54:04.300 And some schools are just beginning. This resolution 01:54:04.340 --> 01:54:09.619 is allocating $5 million of the California Advance 01:54:09.619 --> 01:54:13.699 Service Fund Adoption Funding, and it's going to be allocating 01:54:13.699 --> 01:54:17.170 it to the Department of Education to work with schools 01:54:17.179 --> 01:54:20.719 who are in dire need of these devices to connect at 01:54:20.719 --> 01:54:25.340 home. There's other strategies that obviously the 01:54:25.340 --> 01:54:27.849 Department of Education and ourselves have also worked 01:54:27.849 --> 01:54:31.570 on the service extension at home. This particular 01:54:31.570 --> 01:54:34.670 resolution is focused on the technology they need to 01:54:34.679 --> 01:54:37.520 utilize that service. 01:54:37.520 --> 01:54:40.940 Just want to share a couple memories that 01:54:40.940 --> 01:54:44.460 we just learned from Department of Education and the 01:54:44.460 --> 01:54:48.239 latest updating of their survey. They reported that they 01:54:48.239 --> 01:54:55.000 have more than 460,000 devices of need from their schools 01:54:55.000 --> 01:54:58.659 in the school district, and this funding will cover 01:54:58.659 --> 01:55:02.679 approximately 20,000 devices. So we've been working 01:55:02.679 --> 01:55:06.040 with them, as they have been cobbling together different 01:55:06.050 --> 01:55:10.239 pieces of funding and again to the leadership of first 01:55:10.239 --> 01:55:14.790 partner in particular in getting these different communication 01:55:15.659 --> 01:55:19.340 corporations to provide, pending the latest 01:55:19.340 --> 01:55:22.880 we learned is that Ryan Seacrest donated additional 01:55:22.880 --> 01:55:26.770 devices in Los Angeles. So the Department of Education 01:55:26.770 --> 01:55:29.929 has really just been doing a tremendous amount of coordination 01:55:29.940 --> 01:55:35.389 of these types of pieces of this puzzle. 01:55:35.400 --> 01:55:38.469 Our funding will be prioritized with smaller medium 01:55:38.469 --> 01:55:42.009 districts, primarily in rural areas of high poverty 01:55:42.250 --> 01:55:46.360 and low broadband adoption. We look forward to continuing 01:55:46.369 --> 01:55:50.040 to work. I want to thank Commissioner Shiroma, my buddy 01:55:50.040 --> 01:55:53.480 on the Telco task force to really help figure out different 01:55:53.480 --> 01:55:57.099 strategies, not just this one, to continue to be as 01:55:57.099 --> 01:56:02.029 responsive as we can be. But most of all, I did 01:56:02.029 --> 01:56:04.779 want to reflect on both of these programs, in particular 01:56:04.790 --> 01:56:07.469 with this adoption program, because it has so much 01:56:07.480 --> 01:56:11.150 to do with the lack of affordable access for Californians 01:56:11.159 --> 01:56:15.730 to come home to be able to connect for school, for work. 01:56:16.409 --> 01:56:22.279 And it's just simply not enough. This approach 01:56:22.279 --> 01:56:25.869 that we're taking, particularly, on the bar exam 01:56:25.869 --> 01:56:32.079 side, is really highlighting how many holes exist in the safety net 01:56:32.079 --> 01:56:37.409 for this utility. I really look forward to continue 01:56:37.409 --> 01:56:39.929 to work with the Governor's office and the Legislature 01:56:40.449 --> 01:56:43.900 to make all the necessary changes to regulatory structure 01:56:43.900 --> 01:56:47.340 in this industry and how we're providing and ultimately 01:56:47.349 --> 01:56:51.440 take this as an opportunity to get to a place where 01:56:51.440 --> 01:56:55.599 broadband will be considered a basic utility and having 01:56:55.599 --> 01:56:58.820 all the measures to accomplish that for California. 01:56:59.710 --> 01:57:00.883 Thank you. 01:57:00.908 --> 01:57:04.401 Thank you, Commissioner Guzman Aceves. 01:57:04.400 --> 01:57:07.369 I would like to add my voice to that of yours 01:57:07.900 --> 01:57:14.800 in saying how important this effort, Item 23, 01:57:14.809 --> 01:57:17.820 the resolution, how important the effort was and I really 01:57:17.820 --> 01:57:22.159 want to thank both you, Commissioner Guzman Aceves 01:57:22.239 --> 01:57:25.440 and Commissioner Shiroma. You worked very hard with 01:57:25.440 --> 01:57:29.599 the Governor's office to make this happen. And it was 01:57:29.610 --> 01:57:33.409 along with a great team which include the communications 01:57:33.420 --> 01:57:39.020 division director Rob Osborne, the CAFF team of Selena 01:57:39.029 --> 01:57:43.920 Huang and James Tang, and then the CTF team of Eric Van 01:57:43.929 --> 01:57:48.409 Lunke and Adam Clark and Stacy Castro from the Legal 01:57:48.409 --> 01:57:50.800 Division. They all worked so hard and I would add my 01:57:50.800 --> 01:57:55.059 advisor Michael Mulaney to that list. So thank you. 01:57:55.059 --> 01:58:01.219 This is a very important effort that will aid people 01:58:01.219 --> 01:58:03.820 that are in great need. Children that are in great need 01:58:03.829 --> 01:58:07.239 during this this period. And thank you, too, for underscoring 01:58:07.460 --> 01:58:14.579 the gaps that are still existing in the fabric of communications 01:58:14.869 --> 01:58:19.070 that people so much are in such need of. So thank 01:58:19.070 --> 01:58:21.610 you for your comments, and I appreciate it very much. 01:58:22.199 --> 01:58:27.059 Are there any other comments on the consent items? 01:58:27.449 --> 01:58:32.070 Consent agenda? Okay. Thank you again. We will now 01:58:32.079 --> 01:58:36.599 take up the regular agenda items. 01:58:36.599 --> 01:58:42.920 Item number 34 is Commissioner Rechtschaffen's item. 01:58:43.980 --> 01:58:47.080 Would you like to speak to item 34? 01:58:47.105 --> 01:58:48.409 Yes, thank you 01:58:48.409 --> 01:58:51.500 very much, President Batjer. 01:58:51.500 --> 01:58:55.880 This decision brings to an end the Commission's enforcement 01:58:55.880 --> 01:58:59.929 action against PG&E stemming from its role in 01:58:59.929 --> 01:59:06.029 the 2017 and 2018 Northern California fires. A 01:59:06.029 --> 01:59:12.020 grim chapter in PG&E history that had devastating consequences. 01:59:13.000 --> 01:59:17.440 Our investigation found that PG&E's misconduct caused 01:59:17.449 --> 01:59:22.809 15 of the wildfires resulting in unprecedented damage. 01:59:22.809 --> 01:59:27.679 Over 100 people killed, 25,000 structures destroyed, 01:59:28.300 --> 01:59:32.540 hundreds of thousands of acres burned, and the destruction 01:59:32.550 --> 01:59:38.119 of an entire community in Paradise. The wildfires, 01:59:38.710 --> 01:59:42.420 as we know, also led PG&E to declare bankruptcy, which 01:59:43.000 --> 01:59:46.279 is an extraordinarily disruptive process for a 01:59:46.279 --> 01:59:50.190 company that provides essential utility services to millions 01:59:50.190 --> 01:59:52.759 of residents. 01:59:52.759 --> 01:59:56.159 Of course, for the victims of the fires, the damage 01:59:56.170 --> 02:00:01.190 the pain, the trauma is ongoing. 02:00:01.190 --> 02:00:04.429 In this case, prior to evidentiary hearing, PG&E 02:00:04.429 --> 02:00:08.130 reached a settlement with two parties. The Advocacy 02:00:08.139 --> 02:00:12.099 section of our Safety and Enforcement division and 02:00:12.099 --> 02:00:15.940 the Coalition of California Utility Employees. The 02:00:15.949 --> 02:00:21.409 settlement provided for $1.625 billion in disallowed 02:00:21.420 --> 02:00:26.150 costs, shareholder cost, there are costs that shareholders would bare 02:00:27.090 --> 02:00:29.639 that otherwise PG&E would seek to recover from 02:00:29.639 --> 02:00:35.130 customers and $50 million in various system enhancements. 02:00:35.690 --> 02:00:41.489 The total penalty amount was $1.675 billion. 02:00:41.489 --> 02:00:44.940 When the Commission approved a settlement, we look 02:00:44.940 --> 02:00:47.599 to see if it's reasonable in light of the whole record, 02:00:48.190 --> 02:00:51.340 consistent with the law, and in the public interest. Those 02:00:51.340 --> 02:00:54.800 are the findings we need to make to approve a settlement. 02:00:55.529 --> 02:00:59.969 At the end of February, ALJ Judge Park issued 02:01:00.389 --> 02:01:03.599 a presiding officers decisions reviewing the settlement 02:01:04.849 --> 02:01:09.300 The decision is known as a POD. And the POD modified 02:01:09.790 --> 02:01:12.320 the settlement in several important ways, which were 02:01:12.320 --> 02:01:17.179 entirely appropriate. First, it added an additional 02:01:17.190 --> 02:01:22.070 $64 million in system enhancements. These will ensure 02:01:22.070 --> 02:01:26.770 that PG&E can fully implement the findings of the 02:01:26.779 --> 02:01:31.739 various root cause analysis relating to the wildfires 02:01:31.829 --> 02:01:36.860 that the settlement mandates that it undertake. Second, 02:01:37.489 --> 02:01:42.190 the settlement added an additional $198 million in 02:01:42.190 --> 02:01:45.449 disallowed costs. Additional costs that shareholders 02:01:45.449 --> 02:01:49.540 would have to bear. This is justified because of the 02:01:49.540 --> 02:01:54.509 original 1.625 billion of disallowed cost in the settlement, 02:01:55.489 --> 02:02:00.550 $900 million related to wildfire-related costs that PG&E 02:02:00.550 --> 02:02:03.270 may very well not have been entitled to recover from 02:02:03.270 --> 02:02:06.880 ratepayers in the first place. 02:02:06.880 --> 02:02:13.230 Third, the POD imposed a $200 million fine that was 02:02:13.239 --> 02:02:19.400 payable to the General Fund. Fine is clearly appropriate 02:02:19.400 --> 02:02:23.739 here, given the unprecedented scale and the scope of 02:02:23.739 --> 02:02:28.840 harm from the wildfires, that PG&E caused and 02:02:28.840 --> 02:02:34.480 because fines convey unique societal of program. 02:02:34.480 --> 02:02:39.179 And finally, the POD stipulated that tax benefits that 02:02:39.190 --> 02:02:42.750 PG&E will realize from the expenditures it is 02:02:42.750 --> 02:02:45.739 required to undertake by the settlement, will go to 02:02:45.739 --> 02:02:50.449 ratepayers, not shareholders, to the extent allowed 02:02:50.880 --> 02:02:55.099 by IRS rules and this, these benefits will be realized 02:02:55.110 --> 02:02:58.380 in future years, when the benefits are taken by PG&E. 02:03:00.779 --> 02:03:05.809 PG&E appeal Judge Park's POD. I just want to stop 02:03:06.099 --> 02:03:10.920 and comment on the appeal. 02:03:10.920 --> 02:03:16.050 Given PG&E's strongly professed recognition of the 02:03:16.050 --> 02:03:21.809 need to dramatically transform its culture, its approach 02:03:21.809 --> 02:03:26.579 to safety, and its professed commitment to working collaboratively 02:03:26.579 --> 02:03:31.710 in the future with its regulators, the stridency of 02:03:31.710 --> 02:03:36.090 PG&E's appeal was highly unfortunate and indeed deeply 02:03:36.880 --> 02:03:39.579 disappointing. I won't go line by line, but I want 02:03:39.579 --> 02:03:44.250 to highlight two things in particular. One is that PG&E 02:03:44.250 --> 02:03:47.159 vigorously disputed its potential liability from the 02:03:47.170 --> 02:03:49.480 fires. 02:03:49.480 --> 02:03:53.820 These protests were particularly disingenuous given 02:03:53.820 --> 02:03:58.579 that, among other things, PG&E was at the same time 02:03:58.690 --> 02:04:03.579 pleading guilty 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter 02:04:04.210 --> 02:04:08.570 in connection with the Camp Fire. 02:04:08.570 --> 02:04:13.610 This is conduct that the Buchanan DA likened to, quote, 02:04:13.619 --> 02:04:16.969 reckless arson. 02:04:16.969 --> 02:04:22.059 Second, PG&E relentlessly attacked ALJ Park for 02:04:22.059 --> 02:04:26.050 revising the settlement, and hyperbolically argued that 02:04:26.050 --> 02:04:29.400 modifying the settlement threatened to undermine the Commission's 02:04:29.679 --> 02:04:34.969 regulatory compact with utilities. 02:04:34.969 --> 02:04:38.420 In fact, the settlement that was reached only included 02:04:38.550 --> 02:04:42.590 a subset of the parties in the proceeding and was vigorously 02:04:42.590 --> 02:04:47.279 contested by the others. And in these circumstances 02:04:47.869 --> 02:04:50.679 the Commission does not accord any special deference 02:04:50.690 --> 02:04:54.630 to the settlement, but exercises its independent judgment 02:04:54.630 --> 02:04:57.570 to ensure that the settlement is in the interest of 02:04:57.570 --> 02:05:01.199 the public and all parties. And this type of independent 02:05:01.199 --> 02:05:05.259 Commission review is especially important in the case 02:05:05.270 --> 02:05:10.969 of this magnitude and public consequence. 02:05:10.969 --> 02:05:13.480 Havin said that, the Commission settlement rules 02:05:13.489 --> 02:05:17.480 do require that settling parties approve any proposed 02:05:17.480 --> 02:05:20.090 modification to a settlement, and this is appropriate 02:05:20.090 --> 02:05:23.679 to ensure that the settling parties did not have conditions 02:05:23.679 --> 02:05:27.440 imposed on them without their agreement. PG&E in its 02:05:27.440 --> 02:05:31.190 appeal specified two issues that it said were unacceptable 02:05:31.969 --> 02:05:36.590 to the company. Number one, it requested that the $200 02:05:36.590 --> 02:05:40.009 million fine be paid out of the trust established in 02:05:40.009 --> 02:05:43.259 the bankruptcy case to pay wildfire victims and that 02:05:43.259 --> 02:05:45.989 it not be paid out of any other source from the company. 02:05:46.840 --> 02:05:49.770 And second, 02:05:49.770 --> 02:05:54.529 PG&E opposed the modification to pass all tax savings 02:05:54.540 --> 02:05:57.630 associated with the expenditures required by the 02:05:57.639 --> 02:06:02.250 settlement on to ratepayers, alleging that the return 02:06:02.250 --> 02:06:06.989 of tax benefits on capital expenditures to ratepayers 02:06:07.250 --> 02:06:11.190 would violate IRS rules. 02:06:11.190 --> 02:06:13.809 In response to this appeal and subsequent filings by 02:06:13.809 --> 02:06:19.290 PG&E, I initiated two processes. One, a request 02:06:19.290 --> 02:06:22.360 for review, and then the second, a decision different. 02:06:22.369 --> 02:06:25.559 These are different procedural devices the Commission 02:06:25.559 --> 02:06:29.179 can employ in cases like this, and in particular, I recommended 02:06:29.179 --> 02:06:34.679 making two changes to Judge Park's POD. First, with respect 02:06:34.679 --> 02:06:39.420 to the $200 million fine, I rejected PG&E's proposal 02:06:39.420 --> 02:06:43.270 to pay the fine out of the victims trust because it 02:06:43.270 --> 02:06:47.460 would be entirely inappropriate to pit the payment of 02:06:47.469 --> 02:06:51.759 fines to the PUC against the claims of the wildfire 02:06:51.759 --> 02:06:57.059 victims. At the same time, however, 02:06:57.059 --> 02:07:00.730 PG&E raised a credible threat that paying fines 02:07:00.739 --> 02:07:04.790 from sources other than the victim's trust could jeopardize 02:07:04.800 --> 02:07:07.520 the funding commitments that it had received and that 02:07:07.520 --> 02:07:12.599 it needs to exit bankruptcy. So, given the unique circumstances 02:07:12.599 --> 02:07:17.270 of the bankruptcy, PG&E's need to exit bankruptcy by June 02:07:17.270 --> 02:07:20.590 30th, wildfire victims to receive the benefits of the 02:07:20.590 --> 02:07:23.699 trust, assuming it's approved by the federal bankruptcy 02:07:23.699 --> 02:07:26.809 process, but also the need for PG&E to exit 02:07:26.809 --> 02:07:30.679 bankruptcy by June 30th in order to gain access to 02:07:30.679 --> 02:07:35.219 the State Wildfire Liability Fund, I recommended that 02:07:35.230 --> 02:07:40.659 the payment of the fine be permanently suspended. 02:07:40.659 --> 02:07:45.279 Second, I clarified that consistent with IRS rules, 02:07:45.860 --> 02:07:49.190 the tax benefits from the settlement that passed through 02:07:49.190 --> 02:07:53.500 to ratepayers will be limited operational expenses 02:07:53.509 --> 02:07:58.369 only, and that the tax benefits from capital expenditures 02:07:59.059 --> 02:08:02.500 will go to PG&E's shareholders. Again, that's consistent 02:08:02.500 --> 02:08:05.750 with the IRS rules. Although the tax, the benefits 02:08:05.750 --> 02:08:08.980 that will go to ratepayers are uncertain, PG&E 02:08:08.980 --> 02:08:13.360 estimated that they could be as much as $425 million. 02:08:15.650 --> 02:08:18.349 After initially opposing part of my recommendation, 02:08:18.610 --> 02:08:22.969 PG&E ultimately accepted all of them and the modifications, 02:08:23.449 --> 02:08:27.550 as did the other settling parties. So as a result, 02:08:27.639 --> 02:08:30.770 the decision before us today consists of the following: 02:08:31.389 --> 02:08:36.389 a record penalty of $1.937 billion. This is money 02:08:36.389 --> 02:08:41.360 that shareholders will pay, and that includes 1.823 02:08:41.360 --> 02:08:45.969 billion in disallowances for wildfire related expenditures, 02:08:46.750 --> 02:08:51.770 $114 million in system enhancement initiatives and 02:08:51.770 --> 02:08:56.250 corrective actions to further protect public safety, and 02:08:56.250 --> 02:09:00.670 a $200 million fine that is permanently suspeneded. 02:09:02.719 --> 02:09:07.699 I recognize that a permanent suspension of the 02:09:07.710 --> 02:09:12.150 fine is deeply unsatisfying to many. Several interveners 02:09:12.159 --> 02:09:16.860 strongly opposed this provision. I share this frustration. 02:09:18.750 --> 02:09:21.219 I think it's important to keep in mind, however, that 02:09:21.219 --> 02:09:24.119 this penalty action is only one of many aggressive 02:09:24.130 --> 02:09:27.389 steps that the Commission's taking to hold PG&E 02:09:27.389 --> 02:09:31.500 accountable for its actions and to help prevent future 02:09:31.509 --> 02:09:35.570 misconduct. I also want to emphasize that it is an 02:09:35.570 --> 02:09:39.420 extremely rare set of circumstances that justify departure 02:09:40.050 --> 02:09:42.469 from our normal penalty rules as we've done here. 02:09:43.949 --> 02:09:46.679 Finally, the decision includes the requirement that 02:09:46.690 --> 02:09:50.489 PG&E's customers benefit from the tax savings from 02:09:50.489 --> 02:09:55.500 operational expenses and that shareholders do not. 02:09:55.500 --> 02:09:59.940 That's the decision. I want to express my deep appreciation 02:09:59.949 --> 02:10:02.619 for the outstanding work of our safety and enforcement 02:10:02.619 --> 02:10:07.159 division here, both in investigating the fires, developing 02:10:07.159 --> 02:10:11.020 extensive reports of violations, and working extremely 02:10:11.020 --> 02:10:13.840 diligently to negotiate a settlement that provided 02:10:13.849 --> 02:10:17.440 for meaningful benefits, meaningful penalties, and public 02:10:17.449 --> 02:10:21.820 benefits. I think with the modifications as proposed and 02:10:21.820 --> 02:10:25.150 hopefully approved today, the settlement is even stronger 02:10:25.159 --> 02:10:28.889 and will do more to hold PG&E accountable for its failure to 02:10:28.889 --> 02:10:33.139 make safety a top priority. 02:10:33.139 --> 02:10:35.840 Finally, I want to express thanks for those who worked 02:10:35.840 --> 02:10:40.599 on this case. Judge Park for really outstanding 02:10:40.599 --> 02:10:44.790 work from start to finish, our super sharp legal mind 02:10:44.790 --> 02:10:50.469 fast, thorough, clear and decisive writing, maintaining a 02:10:51.139 --> 02:10:54.920 calm demeanor throughout. I want to thank the legal 02:10:54.920 --> 02:11:00.770 division for its excellent analysis. My advisor Oberg and Sean 02:11:00.779 --> 02:11:04.940 Simon for their extremely hard work. My Bagley-Keene 02:11:04.940 --> 02:11:09.270 partner, President Batjer. And finally, I want to 02:11:09.270 --> 02:11:12.500 give out a special shout out of appreciation to Margie 02:11:13.040 --> 02:11:16.559 Lascano in the legal division, who helped process 02:11:17.139 --> 02:11:21.159 my decision different. And today's decision as 02:11:21.170 --> 02:11:23.309 well, stepping up to the plate to really help out. 02:11:23.940 --> 02:11:26.639 So with that, I will close and I ask for your support 02:11:26.639 --> 02:11:27.894 on this decision. 02:11:27.919 --> 02:11:30.699 Thank you so much, Commissioner 02:11:30.699 --> 02:11:35.150 Rechtschaffen. I want to add, jump ahead of my fellow Commissioners 02:11:35.150 --> 02:11:38.429 for a second because we were Bagley-Keene partners on 02:11:38.429 --> 02:11:42.210 this very important decision, and I want to thank you 02:11:42.219 --> 02:11:47.349 and your staff. It was quite extraordinary. And I'm 02:11:47.929 --> 02:11:50.690 absolutely touched in this week that we're honoring 02:11:50.690 --> 02:11:54.659 public service, you demonstrated the highest and most 02:11:54.670 --> 02:11:58.210 honorable of public service on this decision. It was 02:11:58.909 --> 02:12:04.199 my honor to participate. But more importantly 02:12:04.489 --> 02:12:08.639 watch your tenacious, your quick mind, your thoroughness, 02:12:09.210 --> 02:12:12.949 and your determination to get this right. And I just 02:12:12.949 --> 02:12:15.929 want to thank you so very much Commissioner Rechtschaffen 02:12:15.929 --> 02:12:18.230 and your staff. 02:12:18.230 --> 02:12:20.875 Thank you very much, President Batjer. 02:12:20.900 --> 02:12:21.849 Are there any 02:12:21.849 --> 02:12:27.230 other comments on item 34? 02:12:27.230 --> 02:12:32.369 Okay, I will then turn, oh, yes, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:12:33.730 --> 02:12:36.929 Thank you so much. I'm in support of Item 02:12:36.940 --> 02:12:43.000 34. I do thank a Commission Rechtschaffen as you very 02:12:43.009 --> 02:12:47.349 eloquently described President Batjer, the intensive 02:12:47.349 --> 02:12:52.219 month of work. Also Judge Park on her diligent review 02:12:52.230 --> 02:12:56.239 of the settlement, the proposed modifications, and 02:12:56.239 --> 02:12:59.179 of course, to the Safety and Enforcement division in their role 02:12:59.679 --> 02:13:03.020 in bringing this forward. And I again to reiterate 02:13:03.020 --> 02:13:07.040 what was said, I really appreciate that PG&E will not 02:13:07.050 --> 02:13:13.639 be recovering over $1.8 billion in this case from 02:13:13.650 --> 02:13:19.130 the customers, from ratepayers. 02:13:19.130 --> 02:13:22.040 I think, appropriately, the operating expense tax 02:13:22.040 --> 02:13:26.630 benefits going to the customers and the ratepayers is 02:13:26.659 --> 02:13:30.969 excellent. And finally, we really appreciate the inclusion 02:13:30.980 --> 02:13:36.139 of the clause which is intended to identify non-diesel 02:13:36.139 --> 02:13:39.739 generators capable of meeting of range of use cases 02:13:39.739 --> 02:13:42.949 including plant outages and temporary microwave in 02:13:42.949 --> 02:13:47.389 the future as a part of this as well. All right 02:13:47.449 --> 02:13:48.389 Thank you. 02:13:48.414 --> 02:13:51.210 Any other comment? Thank you, Comissioner Shiroma. 02:13:51.210 --> 02:13:56.029 Any other comments on Item Number 34? Okay, seeing 02:13:56.029 --> 02:14:00.029 none. Will the agenda clerk please call the roll? 02:14:00.029 --> 02:14:02.740 For item number 34. Commissioner Shiroma? 02:14:02.765 --> 02:14:03.644 Aye. 02:14:04.860 --> 02:14:06.576 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:14:06.601 --> 02:14:07.189 Aye. 02:14:07.214 --> 02:14:10.131 Commissioner Randolph? 02:14:10.157 --> 02:14:10.590 Aye. 02:14:10.615 --> 02:14:13.424 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:14:13.449 --> 02:14:13.972 Aye. 02:14:13.998 --> 02:14:15.947 President Batjer? 02:14:15.972 --> 02:14:18.469 Aye. The vote for item 02:14:18.469 --> 02:14:22.119 number 34 is unanimous. Thank you all turning now to 02:14:22.130 --> 02:14:26.210 item number 35 which is also Commissioner 02:14:26.210 --> 02:14:30.320 Rechtschaffen's item. 02:14:30.320 --> 02:14:33.198 Item 35 02:14:33.210 --> 02:14:36.329 is an extension, an order extending time. 02:14:37.570 --> 02:14:43.559 It concerns a complaint by Thunder Home, Thunderbird 02:14:43.559 --> 02:14:46.540 Mobile Home Park against PG&E and its implementation 02:14:46.540 --> 02:14:50.360 of the Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrade Program. Thunderbird 02:14:50.360 --> 02:14:53.050 alleges that PG&E faield to consult with the park 02:14:53.050 --> 02:14:56.880 on the specific location of new infrastructure and 02:14:56.880 --> 02:15:00.509 that the placement of some infrastructure has diminished 02:15:00.520 --> 02:15:04.630 the use and value of individual mobile home spaces and 02:15:04.630 --> 02:15:09.380 the mobile home park overall. It's encountered some 02:15:09.380 --> 02:15:12.679 delays due to the PG&E bankruptcy. However, I'm happy 02:15:12.679 --> 02:15:15.130 to report that the parties reached a settlement through 02:15:15.130 --> 02:15:18.520 our alternative dispute resolution process, and the 02:15:18.520 --> 02:15:20.929 agreement has been submitted to the Bankruptcy Court 02:15:20.929 --> 02:15:24.290 for review and approval. Upon approval by the Bankruptcy 02:15:24.290 --> 02:15:27.469 Court, the parties will file a motion here to dismiss 02:15:27.480 --> 02:15:31.079 the underlying complaint. Because of these circumstances, 02:15:31.440 --> 02:15:35.529 today's decision extends the statutory deadline to November 02:15:35.540 --> 02:15:37.947 2020. I ask for your support. 02:15:37.972 --> 02:15:39.690 Thank you. Are there 02:15:39.690 --> 02:15:44.929 any comments on item 35? Okay, seeing none, will the 02:15:44.929 --> 02:15:47.597 agenda clerk, please call the roll? 02:15:47.622 --> 02:15:49.579 For Item 35, Commissioner 02:15:49.579 --> 02:15:51.007 Shiroma? 02:15:51.032 --> 02:15:51.822 Aye. 02:15:51.847 --> 02:15:54.192 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:15:54.217 --> 02:15:54.678 Aye. 02:15:54.703 --> 02:15:57.812 Commissioner Randolph? 02:15:57.837 --> 02:15:59.151 Aye. 02:15:59.176 --> 02:16:01.263 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:16:01.288 --> 02:16:01.752 Aye. 02:16:01.776 --> 02:16:03.166 President Batjer? 02:16:03.509 --> 02:16:08.329 Aye. The vote is unanimous. Thank you. Moving to Item 02:16:08.329 --> 02:16:10.029 36, Commission Shiroma. 02:16:10.054 --> 02:16:12.344 Yes, Thank you. Present Batjer. 02:16:13.009 --> 02:16:18.819 This proceeding, A1805011 involves the 02:16:18.829 --> 02:16:23.769 proposed purchase of the city of Paris's municipal 02:16:23.769 --> 02:16:28.550 water system by Liberty Utilities, Apple Valley Ranch 02:16:28.560 --> 02:16:32.630 Water and Park Water Corporation. I'm asking for your 02:16:32.630 --> 02:16:36.489 support to extend the deadline for completion of this 02:16:36.489 --> 02:16:41.269 ratesetting proceeding from May 9 to October 22, 02:16:41.810 --> 02:16:46.699 2020. The proposed decision for this application 02:16:46.699 --> 02:16:51.010 was issued last month on April 22nd for comments. We 02:16:51.010 --> 02:16:56.130 considered it our May 28 meeting. We anticipate reviewing 02:16:56.130 --> 02:16:59.699 the comments that may come in and have already been 02:16:59.699 --> 02:17:03.970 coming in on this PD and resolving it in a timely 02:17:03.970 --> 02:17:08.769 manner. However, I am asking for the full extension 02:17:08.779 --> 02:17:14.869 to October 22nd to allow for sufficient time for 02:17:14.880 --> 02:17:19.569 the comments and resolving issues which which may arrive 02:17:19.619 --> 02:17:23.750 from those comments. I do ask your aye vote for the extension. 02:17:23.760 --> 02:17:24.692 Thank you. 02:17:24.717 --> 02:17:27.489 Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma Any comments 02:17:27.489 --> 02:17:31.560 on item 36? Okay, seeing none, will the agenda clerk 02:17:31.560 --> 02:17:33.382 please call the roll. 02:17:33.407 --> 02:17:35.879 For item 36, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:17:35.905 --> 02:17:36.728 Aye. 02:17:37.439 --> 02:17:39.609 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:17:39.634 --> 02:17:40.196 Aye. 02:17:40.221 --> 02:17:41.907 Commissioner Randolph? 02:17:43.010 --> 02:17:43.945 Aye. 02:17:43.970 --> 02:17:46.055 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:17:46.080 --> 02:17:46.750 Yes. 02:17:46.775 --> 02:17:48.593 President Batjer? 02:17:49.040 --> 02:17:54.149 Aye. The vote is unanimous for item 37. Moving on to Item 02:17:54.149 --> 02:18:00.050 38. Excuse me. That was 30. I got ahead of myself. 02:18:00.210 --> 02:18:03.380 That was item 36, a unanimous 02:18:03.380 --> 02:18:08.059 vote. Now, we're moving on to Item 37, which is Commissioner 02:18:08.059 --> 02:18:09.134 Guzman Aceves. 02:18:09.159 --> 02:18:11.923 Thank you, President Batjer. This item 02:18:12.340 --> 02:18:15.840 has to do with the another extensions of statutory 02:18:15.840 --> 02:18:19.619 deadline (audio garbles) 02:18:19.619 --> 02:18:22.770 And, fortunately, we were able to move some of 02:18:22.770 --> 02:18:26.680 the more urgent needs into Commissioner Shiroma's 02:18:27.329 --> 02:18:30.640 microgrid proceeding, which obviously we will be taking 02:18:30.640 --> 02:18:34.800 up soon. So I'm asking for an extension from the current 02:18:34.800 --> 02:18:37.919 deadline of May 17 of this year to May 17 02:18:37.919 --> 02:18:41.929 of next year for two main reasons. There are currently 02:18:42.679 --> 02:18:45.319 a series of working groups that are continuing to work 02:18:45.319 --> 02:18:49.050 on a variety of issues, working group two and three 02:18:49.050 --> 02:18:52.970 are looking at issues related to timeliness, billing 02:18:52.970 --> 02:18:57.330 issues, third party construction. And hopefully 02:18:57.330 --> 02:19:03.529 on those issues, we can issue something later in the year, 02:19:04.090 --> 02:19:08.849 and also in working group four, that one just began this February, 02:19:08.849 --> 02:19:12.360 and are also dealing with a set complicated issues around 02:19:12.369 --> 02:19:15.479 streamlining as well as energy buildings and energy 02:19:15.489 --> 02:19:19.360 storage in the connection, among other things. So 02:19:19.819 --> 02:19:22.530 with that, I ask for your support in extending to May of 02:19:22.530 --> 02:19:23.920 next year. 02:19:23.945 --> 02:19:28.089 Okay. Thank you. Are are there any questions 02:19:28.089 --> 02:19:32.679 on item 37? Okay, seeing none, will the agenda clerk 02:19:32.679 --> 02:19:34.460 please call the roll. 02:19:34.485 --> 02:19:37.453 For item 37, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:19:38.319 --> 02:19:39.054 Aye. 02:19:39.079 --> 02:19:41.258 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:19:41.283 --> 02:19:41.926 Aye. 02:19:41.951 --> 02:19:43.878 Commissioner Randolph? 02:19:45.020 --> 02:19:45.946 Aye. 02:19:45.971 --> 02:19:48.724 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:19:48.750 --> 02:19:49.403 Yes. 02:19:49.428 --> 02:19:51.361 President Batjer? 02:19:51.386 --> 02:19:52.429 Aye. The 02:19:52.429 --> 02:19:57.179 vote for item 37 is unanimous. We'll move now onto 02:19:57.179 --> 02:19:59.811 item 38, Commissioners Shiroma. 02:19:59.836 --> 02:20:01.849 Yes, thank you, President 02:20:01.849 --> 02:20:07.459 Batjer. This is an extension order for the investigation 02:20:07.459 --> 02:20:11.369 of Southern California Edison's 2018 Risk Assessment and 02:20:11.369 --> 02:20:16.819 Mitigation Phase. AKA RAMP. I'm asking for your support 02:20:16.819 --> 02:20:21.259 to extend the deadline for completion of this from 02:20:21.269 --> 02:20:26.769 May 8 to October 22, 2020. While we have been 02:20:26.769 --> 02:20:30.720 working on the adjustments needed to comport the Southern 02:20:30.720 --> 02:20:33.750 California Edison General Rate Case with the new four 02:20:33.750 --> 02:20:38.039 year requirements that also required an assessment 02:20:38.039 --> 02:20:41.910 of potential updates to the previously previously filed 02:20:42.259 --> 02:20:45.960 risk assessment mitigation phase report associated 02:20:45.960 --> 02:20:50.169 with that rate case we do need more time. We are 02:20:50.299 --> 02:20:55.430 tapping these two matters concurrently. We're 02:20:55.430 --> 02:20:59.609 looking to harmonize them. But in order to bring 02:20:59.829 --> 02:21:03.509 the two cases into alignment, again, the Southern 02:21:03.509 --> 02:21:07.880 California Edison rate case, plus the RAMP, which had previously 02:21:08.430 --> 02:21:13.259 been submitted, we won't need additional time. 02:21:13.259 --> 02:21:16.329 So I do ask for your aye vote for the extension to October 02:21:16.329 --> 02:21:17.834 22. 02:21:17.859 --> 02:21:22.349 Okay. Thank you. There any questions or 02:21:22.359 --> 02:21:26.729 comments on item 38? All right. Seeing none, will the 02:21:26.729 --> 02:21:29.025 agenda clerk please call the roll? 02:21:29.050 --> 02:21:30.780 For Item 38, Commissioner 02:21:30.780 --> 02:21:32.373 Shiroma? 02:21:32.398 --> 02:21:33.586 Aye. 02:21:33.611 --> 02:21:35.688 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:21:35.713 --> 02:21:36.072 Aye. 02:21:36.097 --> 02:21:37.150 Commissioner 02:21:37.150 --> 02:21:38.337 Randolph? 02:21:38.362 --> 02:21:39.246 Aye. 02:21:39.272 --> 02:21:41.900 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:21:41.924 --> 02:21:42.531 Aye. 02:21:42.556 --> 02:21:44.377 President Batjer? 02:21:45.120 --> 02:21:51.190 Aye. The vote is unanimous for item 38. Moving now to 02:21:51.199 --> 02:21:53.745 item 39. Commission Randolph. 02:21:53.770 --> 02:21:55.940 This is a complaint case, 02:21:55.940 --> 02:22:00.199 American Messaging Services versus AT&T. The 02:22:00.199 --> 02:22:02.789 parties in the case have indicated they're working 02:22:02.789 --> 02:22:05.599 towards a settlement. However, an agreement has not 02:22:05.599 --> 02:22:09.549 been filed yet. This proposed decision would extend 02:22:09.549 --> 02:22:12.319 the statutory deadline of this proceeding to November 02:22:12.329 --> 02:22:16.410 15, 2020, which will allow us to go through all of 02:22:16.410 --> 02:22:20.300 the procedural steps we need and to resolve this 02:22:20.310 --> 02:22:22.426 matter. So I ask for your support. 02:22:22.451 --> 02:22:23.920 Thank you, Commissioner 02:22:23.920 --> 02:22:29.440 Randolph. Are there any questions on Item 39. Okay, seeing 02:22:29.440 --> 02:22:32.969 none, will the agenda clerk please call the roll. 02:22:32.969 --> 02:22:35.528 For item 39, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:22:35.553 --> 02:22:36.017 Aye. 02:22:36.042 --> 02:22:38.354 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:22:38.379 --> 02:22:39.029 Aye. 02:22:39.054 --> 02:22:41.648 Commissioner Randolph? 02:22:41.673 --> 02:22:42.227 Aye. 02:22:42.252 --> 02:22:45.092 Commissioner Rechtschaffen? 02:22:45.217 --> 02:22:46.497 Aye. 02:22:46.522 --> 02:22:48.536 President Batjer? 02:22:48.560 --> 02:22:51.500 Aye. The vote for item 02:22:51.509 --> 02:22:55.759 number 39 are unanimous. Moving on now to Item 40 which 02:22:55.759 --> 02:22:59.259 I will present. This order extending statutory deadline 02:22:59.269 --> 02:23:07.899 is for 1.1508019 investigation to determine 02:23:07.899 --> 02:23:11.230 whether PG&E's culture and governance prioritize 02:23:11.240 --> 02:23:14.740 safety. In this proceeding, the Commission's Safety and 02:23:14.740 --> 02:23:18.159 Enforcement Division was directed to investigate PG&e's 02:23:18.159 --> 02:23:21.380 safety culture and to retain the services of an 02:23:21.380 --> 02:23:25.579 expert consultant, Northstar Consulting Group, to assist 02:23:25.579 --> 02:23:31.959 in that investigation. In December 18-11-050, 02:23:32.269 --> 02:23:35.290 the Commission adopted North Star's assessment of 02:23:35.290 --> 02:23:38.949 PG&E's Safety Culture and ordered PG&E to implement 02:23:39.139 --> 02:23:43.159 the recommendations of the North Star report. PG&E's 02:23:43.170 --> 02:23:46.399 bankruptcy proceedings have resulted in a delay in 02:23:46.399 --> 02:23:49.630 this proceeding as a number of the issues overlap. 02:23:50.620 --> 02:23:53.639 As such, this preceding has been on hold until the 02:23:53.639 --> 02:23:57.620 PG&E bankruptcy proceedings resolve. Once those 02:23:57.620 --> 02:24:00.779 proceedings are resolved, this proceeding will continue 02:24:01.079 --> 02:24:04.139 It is therefore necessary to extend the statutory deadline 02:24:04.139 --> 02:24:08.550 until November 8, 2020, to consider approaches to address 02:24:08.560 --> 02:24:11.699 PG&E safety, culture and any additional steps 02:24:11.709 --> 02:24:15.819 necessary as a result of PG&E's bankruptcy proceedings. 02:24:16.040 --> 02:24:21.110 I request your support. Are there any questions on 02:24:21.120 --> 02:24:23.719 item 40? 02:24:23.719 --> 02:24:26.769 Okay, seeing none, I would ask the agenda clerk to 02:24:26.769 --> 02:24:28.142 please call the roll. 02:24:28.167 --> 02:24:30.454 For item 40, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:24:31.319 --> 02:24:32.162 Aye. 02:24:32.187 --> 02:24:34.692 Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:24:34.717 --> 02:24:35.185 Aye. 02:24:35.210 --> 02:24:36.589 Commissioner 02:24:36.589 --> 02:24:38.327 Randolph? 02:24:38.352 --> 02:24:39.217 Aye. 02:24:39.242 --> 02:24:41.811 Commission Rechtschaffen? 02:24:41.836 --> 02:24:42.262 Yes 02:24:42.287 --> 02:24:43.540 President 02:24:43.540 --> 02:24:44.865 Batjer? 02:24:44.890 --> 02:24:48.863 Aye. Thank you. The vote is unanimous for item 02:24:49.029 --> 02:24:54.829 40. Now, moving on to Item 41 which is also my item. 02:24:55.029 --> 02:24:59.170 This is an order extending statutory deadline is for 02:24:59.180 --> 02:25:06.319 R.17-05-010 rulemaking to consider revisions 02:25:06.329 --> 02:25:10.000 to the Electric Rule 20. The Commission opened this 02:25:10.000 --> 02:25:13.719 rulemaking to consider revisions to Rule 20, a program 02:25:13.719 --> 02:25:16.560 to convert overhead distribution lines underground 02:25:16.880 --> 02:25:21.000 electric facilities. On March 3, 2020, this proceeding 02:25:21.000 --> 02:25:25.610 was reassigned to a ALJ Stephanie Wong. And just this 02:25:25.620 --> 02:25:29.600 week, parties have provided comments on a Rule 20 staff 02:25:29.600 --> 02:25:34.190 proposal and a PG&E Rule 20 audit report. After a review 02:25:34.190 --> 02:25:37.060 of these comments, the Commission may request additional 02:25:37.060 --> 02:25:40.130 stakeholder engagement in the form of workshops or 02:25:40.130 --> 02:25:43.620 rulings with follow up questions regarding the staff 02:25:43.620 --> 02:25:47.920 proposal. An extension of the statutory deadline to 02:25:47.930 --> 02:25:52.350 April 10, 2021, is necessary to further develop the record, 02:25:52.589 --> 02:25:55.550 issue a proposed decision, and allow the Commission 02:25:55.560 --> 02:25:58.899 sufficient time to deliberate and to issue its final 02:25:58.899 --> 02:26:03.329 decision. I hope to do that before a year has passed. 02:26:03.719 --> 02:26:08.420 However, and with that, I request your 02:26:08.420 --> 02:26:12.040 support of this item. Are there any comments on item 02:26:12.050 --> 02:26:14.719 41? 02:26:14.719 --> 02:26:17.279 Okay, seeing none, will the agenda clerk please call the 02:26:17.279 --> 02:26:18.772 roll. 02:26:18.797 --> 02:26:21.654 For item 41, Commissioner Shiroma? 02:26:21.679 --> 02:26:22.072 Aye. 02:26:22.096 --> 02:26:23.250 Commissioner 02:26:23.250 --> 02:26:25.010 Guzman Aceves? 02:26:25.035 --> 02:26:25.806 Aye. 02:26:25.831 --> 02:26:28.119 Commissioner Randolph? 02:26:28.144 --> 02:26:28.680 Aye. 02:26:28.706 --> 02:26:30.290 Commissioner 02:26:30.290 --> 02:26:32.588 Rechtschaffen? 02:26:32.613 --> 02:26:33.409 Yes. 02:26:33.409 --> 02:26:35.051 President Batjer? 02:26:35.076 --> 02:26:38.720 Aye. The votes are unanimous for item 02:26:38.730 --> 02:26:45.090 41. Thank you very much for your, um 02:26:45.090 --> 02:26:51.250 for your time, through the regular agenda. 02:26:51.350 --> 02:26:54.939 Now we're moving on to the management reports. There 02:26:54.939 --> 02:26:59.250 is no report for item 42 which is the report and discussion 02:26:59.250 --> 02:27:03.889 on recent consumer protection and safety activity. And 02:27:03.889 --> 02:27:08.090 no report for Item 44 which is the management report 02:27:08.100 --> 02:27:12.490 on administrative activities. I will now turn to Executive 02:27:12.490 --> 02:27:16.250 Director Alice Stebbins, who will introduce the speaker 02:27:16.630 --> 02:27:20.850 that we will have today on Item 43, the Environmental 02:27:20.860 --> 02:27:24.460 and Social Justice Action Plan Implementation Status 02:27:24.470 --> 02:27:27.720 update. Alice? 02:27:27.720 --> 02:27:29.073 Thank you, 02:27:29.085 --> 02:27:31.230 President Batjer. For item 43, I would like 02:27:31.230 --> 02:27:35.309 to introduce Monica Palmera. She is the senior community 02:27:35.309 --> 02:27:38.570 engagement liaison based in the news and outreach office 02:27:39.149 --> 02:27:41.990 She manages the implementation of the Environmental 02:27:42.000 --> 02:27:45.750 and Social Justice Action Plan. She will provide a 02:27:45.759 --> 02:27:49.080 status report to us on implementation of the plan, 02:27:49.240 --> 02:27:52.720 which, as you know, requires the support of the whole 02:27:52.820 --> 02:27:56.220 CPUC. Monica? 02:27:56.220 --> 02:27:59.293 All right. Can you all hear me? 02:27:59.318 --> 02:27:59.820 We can. 02:27:59.845 --> 02:28:00.610 All right, 02:28:00.620 --> 02:28:03.159 Great. And then just one more logistical item. Are 02:28:03.159 --> 02:28:06.840 you? Can you see slide 18 which is the cover slide 02:28:06.840 --> 02:28:10.620 for the presentation? 02:28:10.620 --> 02:28:15.669 Hopefully. Okay. Great. Perfect. Okay, my live 02:28:15.669 --> 02:28:19.360 feed is a little delayed. So that's helpful. Well, thank 02:28:19.360 --> 02:28:21.710 you so much, Commissioners, really appreciate your time 02:28:21.710 --> 02:28:24.720 and attention to the Environmental and Social Justice 02:28:24.730 --> 02:28:28.840 Action Plan or ESJ Action Plan. I know we're deep into 02:28:28.840 --> 02:28:32.559 the lunch hour right now, so I will do my best to 02:28:32.559 --> 02:28:35.710 go through this expeditiously. Today, just going 02:28:35.710 --> 02:28:38.340 to give you an update on where we are on implementation. 02:28:38.460 --> 02:28:41.240 The slide should say May 2020 Status Update rather 02:28:41.240 --> 02:28:44.159 than April, and just want to acknowledge that there 02:28:44.159 --> 02:28:46.769 were a lot of people that worked really hard to put 02:28:46.769 --> 02:28:49.779 the status update together. But for technical ease, you'll 02:28:49.779 --> 02:28:52.519 just be hearing from me today. So we'll go ahead and 02:28:52.519 --> 02:28:56.100 dive in. I'll give you an overview of the plan, how 02:28:56.100 --> 02:28:58.340 we're setting up an implementation structure internally 02:28:58.340 --> 02:29:02.039 at the PUC. Also, some highlights of what's been done 02:29:02.049 --> 02:29:04.740 so far to implement the plan and talk a little 02:29:04.740 --> 02:29:06.730 bit about where we hope to go in the coming months. 02:29:07.620 --> 02:29:09.980 So with that, I'll go ahead and go to next slide. 02:29:11.320 --> 02:29:13.539 All right, so about the ESJ Action Plan, just as 02:29:13.539 --> 02:29:16.980 a refresher. This plan was formally adopted by the 02:29:16.980 --> 02:29:20.370 Commission in February of 2019. So just a little over 02:29:20.370 --> 02:29:23.750 a year ago. And it really provides a comprehensive 02:29:23.759 --> 02:29:27.179 framework that outlines how the CPUC will address 02:29:27.189 --> 02:29:30.130 issues of environmental and social justice. Up 02:29:30.130 --> 02:29:32.980 until this point, up until the plan was adopted, issues 02:29:32.990 --> 02:29:35.470 were being addressed, certainly being addressed on 02:29:35.470 --> 02:29:38.519 a program by program or proceeding by proceeding 02:29:38.519 --> 02:29:41.429 basis. But I think it was widely acknowledged that 02:29:41.429 --> 02:29:43.860 you know, we had communities and people knocking on 02:29:43.860 --> 02:29:46.960 our door and helping us to acknowledge that we 02:29:46.960 --> 02:29:50.830 have a big role to play. The decisions that we make 02:29:51.259 --> 02:29:53.789 affect the livelihood and the lives directly of 02:29:53.799 --> 02:29:56.429 communities in California. And so what this plan does 02:29:56.659 --> 02:29:59.389 is outlines an overarching philosophy for how we 02:29:59.389 --> 02:30:02.000 plan to address issues of environmental and social 02:30:02.000 --> 02:30:05.309 justice and actually puts concrete steps in place for 02:30:05.309 --> 02:30:10.340 us to do so. Next slide, should be on slide 20. So 02:30:10.340 --> 02:30:13.250 now, just very quickly, want to highlight the nine 02:30:13.250 --> 02:30:17.149 goals are outlined in the plan. First, to consistently 02:30:17.149 --> 02:30:20.309 integrate equity and access considerations. In just a 02:30:20.309 --> 02:30:23.340 CPUC proceedings, we want to increase investment in 02:30:23.340 --> 02:30:27.570 clean energy resources, try to improve access to water, 02:30:27.570 --> 02:30:30.639 communications, and transportation services. Increase 02:30:30.639 --> 02:30:34.809 climate resiliency. Enhance outreach and public participation 02:30:34.820 --> 02:30:37.049 that's that environmental and social justice communities can 02:30:37.049 --> 02:30:39.529 participate in the process is in a meaningful way. 02:30:40.370 --> 02:30:43.929 Want to enhance enforcement to ensure safety and consumer 02:30:43.929 --> 02:30:47.269 protection. We're looking to promote economic and 02:30:47.269 --> 02:30:49.710 work force development opportunity where we can within 02:30:49.710 --> 02:30:54.360 our authority. We want to improve staff and staff 02:30:54.370 --> 02:30:56.980 opportunities for staff to receive training on issues related 02:30:56.990 --> 02:30:59.529 to environmental and social justice. But we as staff 02:30:59.529 --> 02:31:02.830 are well equipped to handle issues as they arise, and 02:31:02.830 --> 02:31:06.620 then also to monitor our efforts to evaluate and monitor 02:31:06.620 --> 02:31:09.399 how we're doing so that we can continue to improve 02:31:09.399 --> 02:31:15.490 upon our action. Next slide, should be slide 21, so in 02:31:15.490 --> 02:31:18.360 the plan, underneath those nine overarching goals, 02:31:18.370 --> 02:31:21.990 there are 95 discrete action items. We have counted every single 02:31:21.990 --> 02:31:25.000 one on. I must say, you know, I have had the chance 02:31:25.009 --> 02:31:27.899 to work on similar plans at other agencies, and I believe 02:31:27.899 --> 02:31:31.950 this one is one of the most concrete and tangible plans 02:31:31.960 --> 02:31:36.370 to implement equity considerations that I've seen 02:31:36.370 --> 02:31:39.580 in an agency. I think it really robust and does 02:31:39.590 --> 02:31:43.000 a good job. The action items are spread out across 02:31:43.009 --> 02:31:46.309 the Commission across our divisions. So we have a lot 02:31:46.309 --> 02:31:49.370 of action items in the Energy division and Communication 02:31:49.409 --> 02:31:51.730 and Consumer Protection, as well with the News and 02:31:51.730 --> 02:31:54.919 Outreach office, where I sit. And I'm happy to 02:31:54.919 --> 02:31:58.179 report that progress has been made on all 95 action 02:31:58.179 --> 02:32:01.139 items on and developed a system to systematically 02:32:01.139 --> 02:32:03.649 track our progress on these action items, which we'll 02:32:03.649 --> 02:32:06.649 talk a little bit about on the next slide, and 02:32:06.659 --> 02:32:09.269 linked, I think, on the agenda and also available on 02:32:09.269 --> 02:32:11.909 our Web page about the Environmental And Social Justice 02:32:11.919 --> 02:32:15.409 Action Plan. You can find a full status report that 02:32:15.409 --> 02:32:18.679 gives you a status update on each of those 95 action 02:32:18.679 --> 02:32:22.610 items, so if folks really want to dive into the meat of how 02:32:22.610 --> 02:32:25.689 we're doing on implementing these actions, that report 02:32:25.700 --> 02:32:28.710 is now available. I'll just a little later in 02:32:28.710 --> 02:32:31.600 the presentation I'll just highlight a few for you, 02:32:31.600 --> 02:32:37.880 Commissioners. Next slide, slide 22. So, in terms of implementing 02:32:37.880 --> 02:32:40.350 this plan, again, it was adopted a little over a year 02:32:40.350 --> 02:32:43.450 ago in February 2019. We've been spending the last 02:32:43.740 --> 02:32:46.490 several months creating an infrastructure internally 02:32:46.850 --> 02:32:49.759 that subset we can cross the entire Commission and 02:32:49.769 --> 02:32:53.429 systematically track how we're doing with our implementation. 02:32:53.820 --> 02:32:56.019 So the way we were structured to do this is that we 02:32:56.019 --> 02:32:59.679 have established a core team that spearheads implementation 02:32:59.679 --> 02:33:02.519 across the Board. That consists of a lead from the 02:33:02.519 --> 02:33:05.470 News and Outreach office, which is myself. I've also 02:33:05.470 --> 02:33:09.169 had the great fortune to work very closely with key advisors 02:33:09.179 --> 02:33:10.970 from Commissioner Rechtschaffen and Commissioner 02:33:11.080 --> 02:33:14.730 Guzman Aceves. As was acknowledged in the public 02:33:14.730 --> 02:33:18.179 comment, you both were spearheaded this 02:33:18.189 --> 02:33:21.759 effort, and I've been working with their shark, Nicole 02:33:21.759 --> 02:33:25.299 Crawford, Julia Schmidt, and together we coordinated 02:33:25.299 --> 02:33:28.029 across the Commission on how implementation is going 02:33:28.019 --> 02:33:31.789 So we consider ourselves the core team. But what I'm most excited 02:33:31.789 --> 02:33:34.899 to present to you all is that we have established environmental 02:33:34.909 --> 02:33:37.759 and social justice liaisons in each of the divisions 02:33:37.769 --> 02:33:42.740 at the CPUC. So every division across all of our diverse 02:33:42.809 --> 02:33:46.169 industry areas has a person who was tasked with, you 02:33:46.169 --> 02:33:49.939 know, sort of the the more task-oriented work of tracking 02:33:49.950 --> 02:33:52.380 our statuses, how we're doing on each of the action 02:33:52.380 --> 02:33:55.639 items, but also serving as an ambassador in their division 02:33:55.649 --> 02:33:58.990 for environmental and social justice issues, so really 02:33:58.990 --> 02:34:01.529 taking up the mantle of understanding these issues 02:34:01.529 --> 02:34:03.289 and understanding how they're playing out in their 02:34:03.289 --> 02:34:07.120 division. So we've done that across all our divisions, 02:34:07.490 --> 02:34:10.309 and one thing that we also want to do in, in addition 02:34:10.309 --> 02:34:13.600 to just having the liasions is actually convene the 02:34:13.600 --> 02:34:16.500 group. So we've had a couple of meetings in January 02:34:16.500 --> 02:34:20.549 of 2020. Our first one was in January. And we, as the core team, 02:34:20.549 --> 02:34:23.529 convened (mumbled) liaison what we can get together 02:34:24.070 --> 02:34:27.230 We can actually talk about these issues, create a culture 02:34:27.240 --> 02:34:30.689 around how we address these issues and very importantly 02:34:30.689 --> 02:34:33.139 share lessons learned. Sometimes at the Commission 02:34:33.139 --> 02:34:35.360 it can be hard to get together folks that work on different 02:34:35.370 --> 02:34:37.730 industry areas. There isn't always a lot of space for 02:34:38.120 --> 02:34:40.700 telecommunications to talk to energy to talk to rail 02:34:40.700 --> 02:34:43.350 safety. And we want to create a space where we can 02:34:43.360 --> 02:34:47.039 share what worked and what hasn't. As far as addressing 02:34:47.039 --> 02:34:49.970 these issues and so that we can learn from each other. 02:34:50.149 --> 02:34:52.380 That's something that we're really, really excited 02:34:52.380 --> 02:34:56.139 about. And look to continue moving forward, and 02:34:56.139 --> 02:34:58.789 then I will say that the ESJ liasions were instrumental 02:34:58.799 --> 02:35:01.259 in gathering all of the status updates that are in 02:35:01.259 --> 02:35:05.559 the report that's posted online. All right, next slide. 02:35:05.789 --> 02:35:09.449 Should be slide 23. So far as where we are in implementing 02:35:09.449 --> 02:35:11.739 the plan. Just gonna highlight some key actions thus 02:35:11.749 --> 02:35:16.949 far. So many of the action item allude to specific proceedings 02:35:16.949 --> 02:35:20.239 and preceding processes. And a few of these that 02:35:20.249 --> 02:35:24.270 are here on the slide have some exciting new developments 02:35:24.360 --> 02:35:27.600 related environmental and social justice. One is the 02:35:27.600 --> 02:35:31.419 wildfire mitigation plan proceeding. We did a lot 02:35:31.419 --> 02:35:34.300 of work to really encourage the utilities to 02:35:34.300 --> 02:35:37.780 do much more robust outreach in-language to communities. 02:35:38.419 --> 02:35:40.550 Actually, the picture that you see here on the slide 02:35:41.060 --> 02:35:44.429 is of a work, a panel that we had at the workshop about wildfire 02:35:44.429 --> 02:35:47.439 mitigation plans, that was made up of representatives 02:35:47.489 --> 02:35:49.959 of folks living in rural communities, working with 02:35:49.969 --> 02:35:53.340 farmworker communities, and folks who speak indigenous languages, 02:35:53.659 --> 02:35:56.810 who had experience hardship in previous wildfire. And 02:35:56.820 --> 02:35:59.540 so they were able to help us understand what are the 02:35:59.540 --> 02:36:02.310 language needs of the parts of each community. And 02:36:02.310 --> 02:36:05.399 we were able to incorporate a lot of their suggestions 02:36:05.399 --> 02:36:08.530 and recommendations into requirements now for wildfire 02:36:08.530 --> 02:36:11.669 mitigation. Which we're really excited about setting 02:36:11.669 --> 02:36:14.010 a new precedent for utilities to really understand 02:36:14.010 --> 02:36:17.179 what languages are in their community and work to reach 02:36:17.179 --> 02:36:19.429 those folks effectively in the case of a wildfire. 02:36:20.320 --> 02:36:23.010 Additionally, you know, in the climate adaptation preceding 02:36:23.010 --> 02:36:25.350 there's a lot of really good work going on to defined 02:36:25.350 --> 02:36:28.600 climate vulnerability. This is a really important topic 02:36:28.600 --> 02:36:31.130 in environmental and social justice communities because 02:36:31.340 --> 02:36:34.570 how climate change is going to affect front line communities 02:36:34.810 --> 02:36:37.610 is something that requires a lot of thought and 02:36:37.610 --> 02:36:40.810 care. And so to develop a definition of vulnerability 02:36:41.340 --> 02:36:44.040 and understand how utilities will work with the communities 02:36:44.419 --> 02:36:46.719 as they plan for the impacts of climate change is very 02:36:46.719 --> 02:36:49.229 important. So a lot of really good work happening in that 02:36:49.280 --> 02:36:52.419 phase. Additionally, in the affordability proceeding, 02:36:52.790 --> 02:36:56.729 is a once in a nation leading proceeding that's looking 02:36:56.739 --> 02:37:00.570 at how can we better understand the impact of rate 02:37:00.580 --> 02:37:03.870 increases on a variety of household. Particularly how 02:37:03.870 --> 02:37:06.679 it's gonna impact low income households and their budgets 02:37:06.679 --> 02:37:09.080 and all the things that they have to consider. So there's 02:37:09.090 --> 02:37:11.040 some really exciting work going on, and that's proceeding. 02:37:11.050 --> 02:37:13.090 And then, you know, in the mobile home park 02:37:13.449 --> 02:37:16.209 upgrade program, for example, that program is putting 02:37:16.219 --> 02:37:18.919 higher prioritization on disadvantaged communities, 02:37:19.130 --> 02:37:21.749 making sure investments go to those communities. And 02:37:21.749 --> 02:37:24.939 that's exactly the kind of works we want to see 02:37:24.939 --> 02:37:28.939 happen as this plan is being implemented. All right, 02:37:28.939 --> 02:37:34.409 next slide, should be on slide 24. So one of the very 02:37:34.419 --> 02:37:38.179 very big action item in the plan. They're action item 1.1 02:37:38.179 --> 02:37:41.360 and 1.2, which is to incorporate environmental and social 02:37:41.360 --> 02:37:44.739 justice impacts into our decisions and resolution. So 02:37:44.739 --> 02:37:47.659 much like we consider safety considerations, we want 02:37:47.659 --> 02:37:50.040 to start getting into a practice where we think about 02:37:50.419 --> 02:37:52.610 what are the impacts of the decisions that we're making 02:37:52.620 --> 02:37:56.610 on environmental and social justice communities. So 02:37:56.610 --> 02:37:59.800 in terms of systematizing that and moving forward with 02:37:59.800 --> 02:38:03.100 that Action item. The ALJ Division is the lead on that 02:38:03.110 --> 02:38:05.540 action item, and we're working very closely with them 02:38:05.919 --> 02:38:07.919 to understand How can you start incorporating this 02:38:07.929 --> 02:38:11.439 into proceeding processes? Because we have such a 02:38:11.439 --> 02:38:15.120 diversity of proceedings with the diversity of issue 02:38:15.120 --> 02:38:19.199 areas, we're piloting, probablymight do this in two proceedings. 02:38:19.550 --> 02:38:23.999 First in the CARE/ESA low income programs in the energy 02:38:24.010 --> 02:38:27.860 division. AS well as we're looking to identify a rail crossing 02:38:28.100 --> 02:38:32.550 proceeding to also pilot how we might consider ESJ 02:38:32.560 --> 02:38:36.679 simpact in that process. The goal is that 02:38:36.679 --> 02:38:38.770 is that we learned some important lessons through that 02:38:38.780 --> 02:38:41.590 that such that we can create guidance that would apply 02:38:41.590 --> 02:38:45.239 across our industry areas, and I'll also say, while we're, 02:38:45.260 --> 02:38:47.830 you know, doing these, working on these pilot proceedings, 02:38:48.219 --> 02:38:50.939 concurrently, we're also conducting some research on 02:38:50.949 --> 02:38:53.949 best practices of how other agencies are doing the 02:38:53.959 --> 02:38:56.780 very work, how they are evaluating environmental and 02:38:56.790 --> 02:38:59.499 social justice impact, how they're able to incorporate 02:38:59.499 --> 02:39:01.830 it into their decision making. And we're are starting 02:39:01.830 --> 02:39:04.449 to work on general guidance that we think could be 02:39:04.449 --> 02:39:07.520 implemented to further this action items, in addition 02:39:07.530 --> 02:39:12.790 piloting it in the proceeding. Okay, next slide. I'm on 02:39:12.800 --> 02:39:16.419 slide 25. And then also another big, you know, part 02:39:16.419 --> 02:39:19.570 of the ESJ plan is to really increase participation 02:39:19.570 --> 02:39:23.040 of stakeholders in our processes? You know, we have 02:39:23.040 --> 02:39:25.239 a lot of different ways people can get involved, but 02:39:25.530 --> 02:39:28.820 you know, often it requires a certain level of expertise 02:39:28.830 --> 02:39:31.409 or involvement. We really want to do our best to 02:39:31.419 --> 02:39:34.110 have an open door to folks that haven't historically 02:39:34.110 --> 02:39:37.499 been a part of our processes. Some of the actions 02:39:37.499 --> 02:39:41.239 that we've done, that we've taken now on the docket 02:39:41.239 --> 02:39:45.310 card for our proceedings, there's the opportunity to provide public 02:39:45.310 --> 02:39:48.070 comment there, so folks aren't able to come to our meetings 02:39:48.070 --> 02:39:50.820 or come to our hearing, they can submit public comments 02:39:50.830 --> 02:39:54.760 through there, and it's very easily accessible. Also 02:39:54.760 --> 02:39:57.130 we're conducting a lot more robust outreach through community 02:39:57.130 --> 02:40:00.550 based organizations on the ground and really encouraging 02:40:00.560 --> 02:40:04.030 folks to get involved in proceedings or come to hearings 02:40:04.040 --> 02:40:06.520 so that we can understand how some of our decisions 02:40:06.520 --> 02:40:08.679 are playing out on the ground and how we can be better 02:40:08.679 --> 02:40:11.669 informed in our decision making. We're also starting 02:40:11.669 --> 02:40:15.090 to do tours and meetings as a part of off site 02:40:15.090 --> 02:40:18.060 voting meetings, so when you Commissioners are traveling 02:40:18.070 --> 02:40:20.159 for these meetings, and hopefully we'll get to do that 02:40:20.169 --> 02:40:24.719 again at some point, trying to organize local 02:40:24.719 --> 02:40:27.729 community visits and tours, so that while we're out 02:40:27.729 --> 02:40:30.209 in the community, we take advantage of that time and 02:40:30.209 --> 02:40:33.080 that travel, to meet on the ground with folks and get 02:40:33.080 --> 02:40:35.630 to know people's lived experiences. And we're also doing 02:40:35.630 --> 02:40:37.770 a lot of work to just simply update our collateral 02:40:37.770 --> 02:40:40.469 materials. Make sure they're written in an accessible 02:40:40.469 --> 02:40:43.610 way, as well as updating our website so that people 02:40:43.610 --> 02:40:47.860 can find us and find our work more effectively. Next 02:40:47.870 --> 02:40:54.010 slide, slide 26. And then, lastly, we are really working 02:40:54.020 --> 02:40:57.469 to ramp up training and staff development on these 02:40:57.479 --> 02:41:01.489 issue areas. We were able to be a part of a state 02:41:01.499 --> 02:41:04.380 agency collaborative that put together a community 02:41:04.380 --> 02:41:07.850 engagement and outreach training back in March. 02:41:07.919 --> 02:41:10.919 So we worked with folks like CaliPA, the Air Resources 02:41:10.919 --> 02:41:14.340 Board, Lands Commission and others to train 02:41:14.360 --> 02:41:17.340 agency staff onto the engagement and outreach. And I'm 02:41:17.340 --> 02:41:20.159 proud to report, CPUC, we had over 20 people show up. 02:41:20.169 --> 02:41:22.870 We had the most representation of any other state agency 02:41:23.199 --> 02:41:25.709 I'm really excited about that and hoped to bring that 02:41:25.709 --> 02:41:29.090 training in house so that we can extend that opportunity 02:41:29.090 --> 02:41:33.530 to more staff. We're also looking to bring training 02:41:33.530 --> 02:41:35.929 on CalEnviroScreen which is a really helpful mapping 02:41:35.939 --> 02:41:38.820 tool to identify environmental and social justice communities 02:41:38.979 --> 02:41:41.199 or rather, I should say, disadvantaged communities 02:41:41.499 --> 02:41:44.510 And then we'll also be a part of moving forward 02:41:44.800 --> 02:41:46.969 the Government Alliance for Race and Equity. So we will 02:41:46.969 --> 02:41:50.830 have a CPUC cohorts going through racial equity training, 02:41:51.120 --> 02:41:54.169 actually, creating a racial equity plan for how we improve 02:41:54.169 --> 02:41:58.709 upon those issues at the PUC. So all of that is happening 02:41:59.169 --> 02:42:01.330 in the midst of of work that people are doing on a 02:42:01.330 --> 02:42:05.689 daily basis. All right, next slide. 02:42:05.689 --> 02:42:10.239 Slide 27. So give you all the good news. It wouldn't be 02:42:10.239 --> 02:42:13.110 right to not talk about some challenges that we phase. 02:42:13.209 --> 02:42:15.929 One of the big challenges in embarking and implementing 02:42:15.929 --> 02:42:18.659 this plan is simply building awareness that the plan 02:42:18.669 --> 02:42:22.550 exists. So a lot of the work thus far has been about 02:42:22.560 --> 02:42:26.050 introducing the plan to staff, making staff aware of 02:42:26.399 --> 02:42:28.679 all the definition that are in there, all action items 02:42:28.679 --> 02:42:31.810 that are in there, and so the staff can start to use 02:42:31.810 --> 02:42:34.699 and cite it in decisions and programs and advice 02:42:34.699 --> 02:42:38.459 letters and whatnot. So, for example, for ESJ liaisons, 02:42:38.620 --> 02:42:41.159 for any of them, when they were identified as ESJ 02:42:41.159 --> 02:42:43.979 liaison. We introduced them to the plan for the first 02:42:43.979 --> 02:42:47.149 time, and then they had to go in into their divisions 02:42:47.380 --> 02:42:49.790 and do the hard work to actually educate their colleagues 02:42:49.790 --> 02:42:52.429 about the plan, so that they could get status updates 02:42:52.919 --> 02:42:56.669 for this report. So that kind of a web, that network 02:42:56.679 --> 02:43:00.360 work is happening now, but it does take some time 02:43:00.770 --> 02:43:03.209 but we're really committed to that. We want to 02:43:03.219 --> 02:43:06.659 really build knowledge on definitions and best practices 02:43:06.850 --> 02:43:09.510 internally at the Commission. But it has been something 02:43:09.510 --> 02:43:11.969 that has been taken time and something we continue 02:43:11.969 --> 02:43:15.060 to work on. The other big thing that we think is an 02:43:15.060 --> 02:43:17.229 opportunity and what we'd really like to focus on moving 02:43:17.229 --> 02:43:20.810 forward is doing a better job of collecting metrics 02:43:20.820 --> 02:43:26.479 and data related to ESJ issues. So the status report offers 02:43:26.489 --> 02:43:29.989 a lot of general updates on where our action items 02:43:29.999 --> 02:43:32.929 are as far as being implemented. But what we really want 02:43:32.929 --> 02:43:36.669 to do moving forward is really home in on what are 02:43:36.669 --> 02:43:40.239 the specific updates or what's really happening from 02:43:40.249 --> 02:43:43.989 ESJ perspective on that action item and start looking 02:43:43.989 --> 02:43:47.860 at data across our action items so that we can compare 02:43:47.870 --> 02:43:50.739 our, well, one, start to understand our impact a little 02:43:50.739 --> 02:43:53.780 bit better. But also compare our programs and processes 02:43:53.780 --> 02:43:56.649 a little bit so that we can understand really where 02:43:56.649 --> 02:43:59.880 we're going. So what are some metrics we want to start 02:43:59.880 --> 02:44:03.649 collecting across programs? And how do we do a better 02:44:03.649 --> 02:44:06.630 job of evaluating where we are? We recognize that there's 02:44:06.630 --> 02:44:08.780 a place we have a lot of growing to do, and we 02:44:08.780 --> 02:44:12.110 look forward to looking to what other state agencies 02:44:12.120 --> 02:44:15.300 have done and what communities recommend that we could 02:44:15.300 --> 02:44:17.260 do a little bit better job with that moving forward. 02:44:18.260 --> 02:44:21.669 I've almost done next slide. So in terms of timeline 02:44:21.669 --> 02:44:26.330 and next steps, where we are. So we were able to give 02:44:26.340 --> 02:44:29.580 the Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group of the CPUC 02:44:29.880 --> 02:44:33.909 a version of this presentation earlier in April 02:44:33.919 --> 02:44:37.070 so they are in the loop of what we're doing with the 02:44:37.070 --> 02:44:39.959 plan. They were really big stakeholders in the creation 02:44:39.959 --> 02:44:42.699 of the plan and it's really important that we stay committed 02:44:42.709 --> 02:44:45.899 to having them involved in the implementation and then 02:44:46.219 --> 02:44:48.149 coming up what I'll talk about is an update to the 02:44:48.149 --> 02:44:50.989 plan. What we're gonna be doing, moving forward, 02:44:50.989 --> 02:44:54.840 we're gonna continue convening the ESJ liaison. 02:44:54.999 --> 02:44:57.889 Hopefully, on a monthly basis, to have conversation and 02:44:57.889 --> 02:45:00.600 provide training where we can, and what we're really 02:45:00.600 --> 02:45:03.639 looking towards is February 2021. That would be two 02:45:03.639 --> 02:45:06.790 years since the plan was adopted. The plan does call 02:45:06.790 --> 02:45:10.409 for an update every two years. So leading up to February 02:45:10.409 --> 02:45:14.300 2021, we will be starting conversations about where 02:45:14.300 --> 02:45:16.179 can we go with this plan? Where can we go with the 02:45:16.179 --> 02:45:19.340 goals of plan within our division? And how can we push 02:45:19.340 --> 02:45:22.689 ourselves to go further and to do more, to do right 02:45:22.699 --> 02:45:25.729 by environmental and social justice communities? We're 02:45:25.729 --> 02:45:28.600 already starting to talk to our liaisons about what 02:45:28.919 --> 02:45:31.280 what action items they think could be incorporated into 02:45:31.280 --> 02:45:34.820 the plan when we update it. We also will likely do 02:45:34.830 --> 02:45:37.679 some kind of public workshop in the fall. So we can 02:45:37.679 --> 02:45:40.510 involve the public in that conversation as well. And 02:45:40.510 --> 02:45:45.130 we will return to you in February 2021 with 02:45:45.120 --> 02:45:49.489 with the a new plan. All right, next slide. All 02:45:49.489 --> 02:45:51.439 right. Thank you very much for this to be slide 29. 02:45:51.439 --> 02:45:54.290 This is the picture of our ESJ liaisons. Again, just want 02:45:54.290 --> 02:45:58.010 to thank you all for your time. And I'm happy to answer 02:45:58.010 --> 02:46:00.330 any questions about where we are on implementation 02:46:00.919 --> 02:46:01.967 Thank you. 02:46:01.992 --> 02:46:05.110 Thank you very much. Monica, That was terrific 02:46:05.120 --> 02:46:09.409 very informative and very helpful. So I'll 02:46:09.409 --> 02:46:12.040 turn to the Commissioners. Does anyone have any questions 02:46:12.050 --> 02:46:16.219 of Monica? Or the the great work that the team is 02:46:16.229 --> 02:46:17.724 doing? 02:46:17.749 --> 02:46:22.209 I have, waving my hand. Thank you, Monica. 02:46:22.209 --> 02:46:26.979 I really appreciate that presentation. You all 02:46:26.979 --> 02:46:31.949 have done a lot of work, and I like the, you 02:46:31.949 --> 02:46:35.169 know, the effort to make sure you're quantifying 02:46:35.169 --> 02:46:39.239 all of the action items and, you know, keeping us updated 02:46:39.239 --> 02:46:44.100 on the status. I think that's an excellent way 02:46:44.100 --> 02:46:47.270 to really be intentional about implementing this plan 02:46:47.919 --> 02:46:53.249 I did have one question about the pilot 02:46:53.300 --> 02:46:57.409 for the proceedings and incorporating environmental 02:46:57.419 --> 02:47:02.659 justice issues in proceedings. I guess I was sort 02:47:02.659 --> 02:47:07.610 of thinking at the time we passed the plan that 02:47:07.610 --> 02:47:10.260 our goal in terms of incorporating these issues in 02:47:10.260 --> 02:47:13.979 the proceedings would be a little more ambitious. 02:47:13.989 --> 02:47:16.560 I think of a pilot program as kind of a way to 02:47:17.820 --> 02:47:22.080 bite off small chunks and gather data. But as 02:47:22.080 --> 02:47:25.850 you mentioned, our proceedings are across a lot of different 02:47:25.850 --> 02:47:27.350 issues, a lot of different industries, and they're 02:47:27.350 --> 02:47:31.630 very complex. So I'm not sure what the data gathering 02:47:31.630 --> 02:47:36.360 benefit of a pilot would be. And I guess I was 02:47:36.370 --> 02:47:40.820 looking for a little bit more of a kind of way to 02:47:40.820 --> 02:47:44.380 incorporate environmental justice issues into all of 02:47:44.380 --> 02:47:47.080 our proceedings and sort of figure out how to do that 02:47:47.090 --> 02:47:50.260 at a time when OIR is drafted, at a 02:47:50.260 --> 02:47:55.229 time when scoping memos are prepared 02:47:55.620 --> 02:47:59.630 So I guess I would just like, maybe we could have 02:47:59.630 --> 02:48:03.439 a little more engagement with ALJ division about 02:48:03.449 --> 02:48:07.510 a way to broaden that effort to be a little more 02:48:07.510 --> 02:48:09.919 cross cutting. 02:48:09.919 --> 02:48:12.639 Sure. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for that question. 02:48:12.790 --> 02:48:14.969 Yeah, no, I mean, you hit the nail on the head, and I think 02:48:14.969 --> 02:48:19.149 we're trying to figure out how fast we can go with 02:48:19.159 --> 02:48:22.260 implementing this because, you know, we're thinking 02:48:22.260 --> 02:48:25.530 about issue areas that are so diverse, we wanted to 02:48:25.530 --> 02:48:28.749 get our feet wet a little bit on that first. But look 02:48:28.749 --> 02:48:32.239 at it is we are starting to do some, you know 02:48:32.249 --> 02:48:34.499 quite a bit of research on best practices and even 02:48:34.510 --> 02:48:37.330 starting to put down some guidance that we think could 02:48:37.719 --> 02:48:40.989 serve as sort of an overarching guidance for when 02:48:40.989 --> 02:48:42.899 proceedings were started, for example, at the scoping 02:48:42.899 --> 02:48:46.300 memo phase, a list of questions that would be asked 02:48:46.409 --> 02:48:48.709 that would prompt ALJ and Commission offices to 02:48:48.709 --> 02:48:50.820 think about the right kinds of questions that need 02:48:50.830 --> 02:48:54.330 to be asked and incorporated into proceeding 02:48:54.340 --> 02:48:57.459 So we're kind of moving on both fronts, and I'm happy 02:48:57.469 --> 02:49:00.209 to talk more about it. We want to accelerate that process 02:49:00.249 --> 02:49:04.770 or try to get that bite and a little faster. Happy 02:49:04.770 --> 02:49:07.520 to consider that. 02:49:07.520 --> 02:49:08.830 Okay. 02:49:08.842 --> 02:49:10.780 Thank you. I'll follow up with you offline. 02:49:11.419 --> 02:49:13.302 Any other comments or 02:49:13.314 --> 02:49:15.479 questions from, yes, Commissioner Guzman Aceves? 02:49:17.320 --> 02:49:19.060 Thank you. 02:49:19.072 --> 02:49:20.909 And thank you, Monica, for the presentation 02:49:20.909 --> 02:49:25.330 It is really exciting to see the engagement from so many 02:49:25.770 --> 02:49:30.020 pieces of the organization and so much leadership 02:49:30.020 --> 02:49:35.620 taking place by the liaison. I had, maybe it's 02:49:35.630 --> 02:49:40.159 a little overlap with Commissioner Randolph's question 02:49:40.159 --> 02:49:44.010 And how we can kind of further this a little bit. 02:49:44.020 --> 02:49:46.229 although I do wanna acknowledge that I think the pilot 02:49:46.260 --> 02:49:50.860 are great. Certainly it's not a great start 02:49:50.860 --> 02:49:55.499 or great point to continue. I just noticed that 02:49:55.499 --> 02:49:59.389 in some of the comments describing the progress on 02:49:59.959 --> 02:50:03.820 the (mumbled) that you left in on the action progress 02:50:03.820 --> 02:50:09.429 Some of the description of what they, of the progress 02:50:10.189 --> 02:50:12.850 I don't want to really call anybody out there, so I should be 02:50:12.860 --> 02:50:20.249 clear, seems to still lack basic understanding 02:50:20.260 --> 02:50:25.260 of what a disproportionate impact is through a community 02:50:25.260 --> 02:50:28.270 that is already cumulatively burdened by pollution 02:50:28.270 --> 02:50:35.239 and poverty. And so I wonder in the training that 02:50:35.239 --> 02:50:39.909 we're doing, you talked a lot about the outreach training 02:50:39.909 --> 02:50:42.300 and participation on that, which is fantastic. And 02:50:42.300 --> 02:50:45.830 I certiainly have seen a huge amount of progress in that area 02:50:46.320 --> 02:50:49.100 But on the kind of analytical side of our policies 02:50:49.919 --> 02:50:54.550 is it, perhaps this is a training that you're already 02:50:54.550 --> 02:50:58.780 considering, and even, maybe, it could be coupled with 02:50:58.790 --> 02:51:01.999 (mumbled) and guidance that you will be providing folks 02:51:02.159 --> 02:51:06.639 maybe you can couple it with a training to really start to understand 02:51:07.249 --> 02:51:10.409 that we're not just looking at, you know, this whole 02:51:10.409 --> 02:51:15.830 notion of equity versus equality that you if have, 02:51:16.919 --> 02:51:23.800 if our decisions are leading to certain facilities 02:51:23.870 --> 02:51:27.780 that are polluting across the state, and everyone has 02:51:27.790 --> 02:51:31.810 an equal share of that pollution. It's not what we're 02:51:31.810 --> 02:51:34.749 talking about, what we're talking about is one more of the 02:51:34.800 --> 02:51:38.120 facilities in the already impacted community is 02:51:38.169 --> 02:51:44.860 creating an equity issue and so , I guess 02:51:44.870 --> 02:51:48.060 the question is, can we please try to incorporate some 02:51:48.060 --> 02:51:53.709 training on environmental justice? I mean, in any of these 02:51:53.709 --> 02:51:57.520 actions that you're moving forward on the are going to touch 02:51:57.520 --> 02:52:01.330 upon the different divisions within the Commission. 02:52:02.520 --> 02:52:07.050 Yes, absolutely. I think just going back to some 02:52:07.050 --> 02:52:09.090 of the descriptions in the status updates. I mean, we 02:52:09.090 --> 02:52:12.160 are learning as ago. And certainly, you know, we asked 02:52:12.169 --> 02:52:15.309 for a status update, and that's what we got was a status 02:52:15.309 --> 02:52:18.610 update on where things were in the particular action 02:52:18.610 --> 02:52:20.820 item. So I think won't even just let them 02:52:20.820 --> 02:52:23.539 learn to think of this forward is certainly to your 02:52:23.539 --> 02:52:26.439 point like how do we prompt for more information about 02:52:26.660 --> 02:52:29.689 the ESJ impact in particular? So that's something 02:52:29.689 --> 02:52:32.249 we definitely learned through this process. But you're 02:52:32.249 --> 02:52:34.280 absolutely right. And it kind of ties back to what 02:52:34.280 --> 02:52:36.869 I was talking about. The work that our ESJ liasion had 02:52:36.869 --> 02:52:40.249 to do when they were turning to their colleagues to ask 02:52:40.249 --> 02:52:42.979 about where these action items where, it was explaining 02:52:42.979 --> 02:52:46.680 the plan to start and what these issues are? And it was 02:52:46.689 --> 02:52:49.519 like our liasions there are starting to take on that 02:52:49.530 --> 02:52:53.470 tack of articulating what cumulative impact means 02:52:53.470 --> 02:52:56.499 and things like that. So we do have a good bit 02:52:56.499 --> 02:53:00.340 of work to do to systematize knowledge on what 02:53:00.340 --> 02:53:04.360 these things mean. One way we wanted to start, and I flashed 02:53:04.360 --> 02:53:06.910 it up earlier, is even without training on the tool 02:53:06.910 --> 02:53:10.399 of CalEniviroScreen. A lot of at the Commission work 02:53:10.399 --> 02:53:13.140 with that tool, but a lot of folks don't and aren't 02:53:13.140 --> 02:53:16.919 aware of it, aren't aware of how it measures cumulative 02:53:16.930 --> 02:53:19.430 impacts on communities from an environmental insistent 02:53:19.430 --> 02:53:23.160 economic framework. So that something we would 02:53:23.160 --> 02:53:25.720 actually open up to the whole Commission so that we 02:53:25.720 --> 02:53:28.019 can start to have that conversation and make those 02:53:28.019 --> 02:53:31.110 opportunities available. Obviously, to know how to 02:53:31.110 --> 02:53:33.899 use a tool like CalEnviroscreen, but also to start 02:53:33.910 --> 02:53:37.840 asking the right questions of Oh, how might this impact 02:53:37.849 --> 02:53:40.209 communities in different geography? Or how might 02:53:40.209 --> 02:53:43.760 this play out differently in different places? We know 02:53:43.760 --> 02:53:46.289 we have a lot of work to do to get that conversation 02:53:46.300 --> 02:53:49.840 going on a very on a fast level. But I appreciate 02:53:49.840 --> 02:53:51.939 that you mentioned it could be coupled with the guidance 02:53:52.110 --> 02:53:55.809 that would be a part of the the proceedings. I hadn't 02:53:55.809 --> 02:53:57.260 thought about it. We haven't thought about it quite 02:53:57.260 --> 02:54:00.369 that way, but yeah, that is work that we want to do, 02:54:00.369 --> 02:54:04.019 is just trying to figure out the best way to do that 02:54:04.019 --> 02:54:08.809 across the Commission is what we'll be exploring. 02:54:08.809 --> 02:54:12.706 Thank you. Yes, Commissioner Rechtchaffen? 02:54:12.730 --> 02:54:14.530 Thank you. Just a 02:54:14.530 --> 02:54:18.610 couple of things I wanted to add. First, I agree 02:54:18.610 --> 02:54:22.640 with Commissioner Randolph and about the desirability 02:54:22.640 --> 02:54:27.340 of accelerating our efforts to identify environmental 02:54:27.349 --> 02:54:31.079 social justice issues in proceedings or resolutions. 02:54:31.079 --> 02:54:34.800 And hopefully we can find a way to do that. Take the 02:54:34.800 --> 02:54:38.860 lessons from the pilot and or best practices that 02:54:38.860 --> 02:54:42.320 you're examining. And I'd certainly be happy to work with 02:54:42.320 --> 02:54:45.510 you, in my office to work with you to help develop 02:54:45.510 --> 02:54:49.229 a standard checklist, even if it's an interim check 02:54:49.229 --> 02:54:52.619 list that could be used both by ALJ and Industry divisions 02:54:53.110 --> 02:54:59.169 so that we can get that review, that 02:54:59.169 --> 02:55:03.309 screening in place sooner rather than later. 02:55:03.309 --> 02:55:06.599 That's first I more, more broadly, I want to thank you, 02:55:06.599 --> 02:55:10.140 Monica, for the great job you've done for leading our 02:55:10.140 --> 02:55:14.579 efforts to implement the plan that I'm delighted we've 02:55:14.579 --> 02:55:18.130 made progress on so many things. Many big things, many 02:55:18.140 --> 02:55:22.559 small things. It takes a lot of coordination and communication 02:55:22.570 --> 02:55:27.209 effort work with everybody. I want to thank the industry 02:55:27.220 --> 02:55:29.990 liaisons for their time and effort and for you identifying 02:55:29.990 --> 02:55:33.289 them. That's the way something like this really makes 02:55:33.300 --> 02:55:37.300 progress. Thank you for identifying the Nicole Copper 02:55:37.300 --> 02:55:39.990 and Ewan Schmidt and Sarah Sharp in my office, Commissioner 02:55:39.990 --> 02:55:43.130 Guzman Aceves's office. It's been an excellent 02:55:43.130 --> 02:55:47.050 team working on this and look forward to the next, 02:55:47.059 --> 02:55:52.550 the updat in 2021. I do wanna report one other, one 02:55:52.550 --> 02:55:56.140 other big area where we're making progress and which 02:55:56.140 --> 02:55:58.829 I learned about this week is we, one of the action 02:55:58.829 --> 02:56:02.669 items calls for a partnership with the Workforce Development 02:56:02.669 --> 02:56:05.780 Board in a memorandum of understanding with them to 02:56:05.780 --> 02:56:10.209 develop workforce development standards for several 02:56:10.209 --> 02:56:13.119 of different areas within the Commission's jurisdiction. 02:56:13.700 --> 02:56:18.590 And we are, we have a draft now with the agency that's working 02:56:18.590 --> 02:56:21.999 its way through industry division's legal. And we'll 02:56:21.999 --> 02:56:25.019 be seeing that coming forward. The other Commissioners 02:56:25.019 --> 02:56:27.660 soon. So that's another area. Very significant progress 02:56:28.599 --> 02:56:29.930 Thanks. 02:56:29.954 --> 02:56:33.970 Absolutely. Thank you 02:56:33.970 --> 02:56:36.246 Yes, Commissioner Shiroma. 02:56:36.270 --> 02:56:37.630 Yes. Thank you, President 02:56:37.640 --> 02:56:42.749 Batjer. I'm also adding my thanks to Monica 02:56:42.749 --> 02:56:48.119 and the team and appreciation that the CARE/ESA proceeding 02:56:48.119 --> 02:56:52.119 will be one of the front and center pilot programs 02:56:52.649 --> 02:56:58.119 And while many of us may think that CARE/ESA,you know, 02:56:58.130 --> 02:57:03.229 it is already with core program that we do towards 02:57:03.760 --> 02:57:09.039 for many years now addressing the issues of low 02:57:09.039 --> 02:57:13.209 income communities, and environment and social justice 02:57:13.300 --> 02:57:16.090 communities, there is still so much more we can 02:57:16.090 --> 02:57:20.269 learn and can do. And some of these criteria that 02:57:20.269 --> 02:57:24.189 are included really are gonna be important in terms 02:57:24.200 --> 02:57:31.760 of providing for improving training 02:57:31.760 --> 02:57:35.999 and staff development. Promoting economic workforce development, thinking 02:57:35.999 --> 02:57:39.579 about the ESA part of that program, and really 02:57:39.869 --> 02:57:47.649 looking to assure that we are not allowing any sort of implicit 02:57:47.660 --> 02:57:52.269 bias, which I don't think goes into our teams at the 02:57:52.280 --> 02:57:57.519 CPUC in terms of how low income communites are 02:57:58.140 --> 02:58:02.300 provided for. You know, I think back on my own 02:58:02.999 --> 02:58:06.840 kids through the various public assistance programs 02:58:06.849 --> 02:58:12.030 of providing money for families like ours to buy food 02:58:12.490 --> 02:58:16.450 and then the food stamp program, and you know, 02:58:16.459 --> 02:58:22.110 stigmas that can occur with with such programs where 02:58:22.119 --> 02:58:25.970 low income families do, they feel that they're being 02:58:25.979 --> 02:58:29.570 looked down upon. Anyway. Look forward to working with 02:58:29.579 --> 02:58:33.899 the, ESJ team on CARE/ESA. And one other question 02:58:33.899 --> 02:58:38.519 Monica. In the spreadsheet, there were a couple boxes 02:58:39.789 --> 02:58:42.689 one of them had to do with tribal outreach, another one was lifeline 02:58:42.689 --> 02:58:47.119 things that more guidance is needed. And I wonder if you 02:58:47.119 --> 02:58:51.439 could clarify guidance from the Commissions, guidance 02:58:51.439 --> 02:58:55.590 from management team, or guidance from the community? 02:58:55.950 --> 02:58:58.308 Where's that guidance needed? 02:58:58.332 --> 02:59:00.689 Oh, it might be best 02:59:00.689 --> 02:59:03.649 if I get back to you on specific action items. It 02:59:03.660 --> 02:59:07.729 would be great if I could look back with her our 02:59:07.740 --> 02:59:10.269 communications team. I don't wanna don't speak for 02:59:10.490 --> 02:59:13.849 folks. And again, sort of hindering the process 02:59:13.849 --> 02:59:17.499 with not having them on the line right now. I just 02:59:17.499 --> 02:59:19.749 want to put a pin in those questions because I don't 02:59:19.749 --> 02:59:21.749 know exactly off the top of my head, but I 02:59:21.749 --> 02:59:24.390 will follow up with that. I just wanted to thank you 02:59:24.390 --> 02:59:26.430 Commissioner Shiroma for lifting up that, you know 02:59:26.430 --> 02:59:30.860 we do have the robust public purpose program that have 02:59:30.860 --> 02:59:33.570 a long history and a track record of doing a lot of 02:59:33.570 --> 02:59:36.550 good in those programs. I think we want to build on 02:59:36.550 --> 02:59:39.550 that strong foundation and just really start to understand 02:59:39.550 --> 02:59:42.070 the impact of those programs on different kinds of 02:59:42.079 --> 02:59:44.610 communities. Just taking a more nuanced lens 02:59:44.740 --> 02:59:48.260 to okay, it's great that we offer these programs. Who 02:59:48.260 --> 02:59:51.470 is getting them? Who's not getting them? How we 02:59:51.470 --> 02:59:54.050 do you need we take it to the next step. So 02:59:54.050 --> 02:59:57.260 I appreciate you highlighting that, I promise I'll get back to won't 02:59:57.260 --> 02:59:59.130 get back to you on the specific questions related to 02:59:59.130 --> 03:00:03.919 Lifeline. And I think you said tribal outreach. I'll follow up. 03:00:03.919 --> 03:00:07.110 All right. Thank you. Are there any other comments 03:00:07.110 --> 03:00:10.390 or questions of Monica? Well, again, Monica, thank 03:00:10.390 --> 03:00:13.099 you so much for the presentation. And I echo the 03:00:13.510 --> 03:00:16.510 the words of my fellow Commissioners on their gratitude 03:00:16.979 --> 03:00:21.499 and thoughts on and thankfulness that the program 03:00:21.499 --> 03:00:24.220 is doing as well as it is. And we all stand 03:00:24.220 --> 03:00:29.479 ready to help you with further implementation. So thank 03:00:29.479 --> 03:00:35.289 you again for the update. And we will now move 03:00:35.289 --> 03:00:39.680 on in the agenda to the Commissioner Reports. So, as 03:00:39.680 --> 03:00:45.329 I always say, who would like to go first? 03:00:45.329 --> 03:00:48.314 Okay. Martha. Commissioner Guzman Aceves. 03:00:48.339 --> 03:00:49.309 Thank you. 03:00:49.320 --> 03:00:53.709 Okay, I have a couple of updates. One is to share 03:00:53.709 --> 03:00:58.649 that I have a new rotational adviser, Justin Long. 03:00:59.079 --> 03:01:03.439 He is joining my office, most recently from the Commission's 03:01:03.450 --> 03:01:07.530 Consumer Affairs branch. He was also previously an 03:01:07.530 --> 03:01:10.490 electric rates analyst in the Public Advocates office, 03:01:11.180 --> 03:01:15.459 and previously joining the Commission, he worked in analytics 03:01:15.470 --> 03:01:20.220 for various technology start ups and consulting firms. In his 03:01:20.229 --> 03:01:24.189 free time, Justin enjoys doing hot yoga, eating lobster 03:01:24.189 --> 03:01:28.349 and sushi and visiting dog parks to find short and stubby 03:01:28.349 --> 03:01:31.030 friends. So please help me in welcoming Justin. 03:01:31.630 --> 03:01:36.479 And he's gonna be doing a variety of issues. 03:01:36.479 --> 03:01:39.519 Thank you. And the other thing I wanted to do is to take the 03:01:39.530 --> 03:01:43.470 time to update you guys on a proposed decision that 03:01:43.470 --> 03:01:48.729 was issued yesterday that is 03:01:48.729 --> 03:01:51.380 related to disconnections. So disconnection 03:01:51.390 --> 03:01:56.590 proceedings. I wanted to thank my Bagley-Keene partner, 03:01:56.599 --> 03:01:59.329 Commissioner Randolph for all of her important guidance 03:01:59.329 --> 03:02:03.760 in getting to this part of the process for these products. But 03:02:03.769 --> 03:02:07.269 the reason I wanted to spend real time updating on 03:02:07.280 --> 03:02:11.380 this supposed decisions because it is a quasi legislative 03:02:11.390 --> 03:02:14.439 proceeding and therefore we will not be able to have 03:02:14.439 --> 03:02:18.140 a regulated meeting on it until we get that 03:02:18.140 --> 03:02:22.169 legislative fix someday. So I just wanted to highlight 03:02:22.180 --> 03:02:25.640 some of the critical components of the PD and really 03:02:25.640 --> 03:02:29.280 emphasize that this comes at a critical time as we contend 03:02:29.280 --> 03:02:33.130 with all of the needs on how to respond to this crisis 03:02:33.769 --> 03:02:38.459 and including how to best recover from it. As 03:02:38.470 --> 03:02:42.410 we all know, we did do an emergency consumer protections 03:02:42.419 --> 03:02:46.680 decision for COVID that put in place many critical protections, 03:02:47.220 --> 03:02:51.550 such as no disconnections for a year. And to their credit 03:02:51.550 --> 03:02:54.880 although we did hear some concerning news about that today, 03:02:55.229 --> 03:02:58.059 the IOUs have stepped up and are implementing 03:02:58.059 --> 03:03:01.689 this order. And I also wanted to recognize that 03:03:01.700 --> 03:03:05.490 there is a bit of a distinction, as I mentioned earlier 03:03:05.490 --> 03:03:08.220 with the situation that we have on the broadband side. 03:03:08.669 --> 03:03:12.530 We are not able to implement these typse of basic 03:03:12.530 --> 03:03:16.630 safety net protections. But anyhow, after the last 03:03:16.640 --> 03:03:20.579 recession, the 2008 Recession, disconnections 03:03:20.610 --> 03:03:24.260 continue to rise, long after the unemployment rate 03:03:24.260 --> 03:03:28.229 dropped. Recovery from COVID may similarly 03:03:28.240 --> 03:03:31.919 be long and difficult. Customers will be faced, as we 03:03:31.919 --> 03:03:35.510 heard today with many accumulated bills, including 03:03:35.519 --> 03:03:40.110 rent and utilities. These potentially large (mumbled) 03:03:40.200 --> 03:03:44.019 an increased risk of future disconnection. Unless 03:03:44.030 --> 03:03:46.550 they find a manageable way to begin to pay 03:03:46.550 --> 03:03:50.519 the arrears down. All of our IOUs have already 03:03:50.519 --> 03:03:54.559 implemented measures to aid customers, including longer 03:03:54.559 --> 03:03:58.930 term payment plan, and this PD will build on those measures 03:03:58.939 --> 03:04:02.110 by providing in arrearage management plan for the 03:04:02.110 --> 03:04:06.059 extreme cases of arrears. In particular, we modeled the 03:04:06.059 --> 03:04:09.169 arrears payment plan after the successful experience 03:04:09.660 --> 03:04:12.510 in several East Coast states that are served by the 03:04:12.510 --> 03:04:17.070 Eversource Energy IOU, and that gives the eligible 03:04:17.070 --> 03:04:21.579 customers debt in return for monthly on time utility payments. 03:04:22.660 --> 03:04:26.869 We also proposed to eliminate those additional re-connection 03:04:26.880 --> 03:04:31.700 fees and deposits as you heard today, that further hinder 03:04:31.700 --> 03:04:36.059 the climb out of debt and into recovery. It's important 03:04:36.070 --> 03:04:39.349 to note that currently deposits are disproportionately 03:04:39.349 --> 03:04:43.369 charged to only 3 to 5% of IOU customers. 03:04:44.160 --> 03:04:48.289 Those that cannot put up a guarantee. In fact, in 03:04:48.289 --> 03:04:52.470 my last update of Consumer Affairs Branch included 03:04:52.470 --> 03:04:56.640 a case where this requirement is currently preventing 03:04:56.640 --> 03:05:01.099 the customer from reconnecting. This is an antiquated 03:05:01.099 --> 03:05:06.200 and regressive policy and needs to go. We are fortunate 03:05:06.200 --> 03:05:09.280 with this proceeding to have had the last two years 03:05:09.289 --> 03:05:12.399 to examine the legislative directive that was given 03:05:12.410 --> 03:05:18.099 to us by Senator Wessel FC592 to investigate the then 03:05:18.099 --> 03:05:22.280 rising disconnection levels that was continuing post-recession 03:05:22.760 --> 03:05:26.630 and to establish strategy for reducing them. Having 03:05:26.630 --> 03:05:29.970 had this time to really dig into a variety of existing 03:05:29.970 --> 03:05:34.669 measures and best practices among our regulated IOUs 03:05:35.160 --> 03:05:39.039 among public power agencies and other utility programs 03:05:39.050 --> 03:05:42.510 from across the country. As well as hearing directly 03:05:42.510 --> 03:05:46.260 from the public throughout the state at six 03:05:46.260 --> 03:05:49.720 workshop we held in communities faced with the highest 03:05:49.720 --> 03:05:53.610 rate of the disconnections, and additionally, we hosted 03:05:53.610 --> 03:05:56.530 various webinars where we heard from utilities like 03:05:56.539 --> 03:05:59.829 SMUD, where they shared their successful and much more 03:05:59.829 --> 03:06:03.300 efficient partnership with local NGOs, including an 03:06:03.300 --> 03:06:07.510 online utility order for likely providers that 03:06:07.519 --> 03:06:12.890 they started over 10 years ago. We also had a webinar 03:06:12.899 --> 03:06:17.200 on the arrears management plan, wher Eversource presented 03:06:17.470 --> 03:06:21.200 their 12 year old successful offering of the payment 03:06:21.200 --> 03:06:25.050 plan in the states that they serve. 03:06:25.050 --> 03:06:27.800 They have seen a tremendous change in behavior with 03:06:27.809 --> 03:06:31.619 the offering of that payment. We also had our own 03:06:31.619 --> 03:06:35.320 IOUs share some of their most practices with each other. 03:06:35.950 --> 03:06:40.329 Like SDG&E's elektronic notifications have helped 03:06:40.479 --> 03:06:44.919 reduce their levels of dsconnection. And, of course 03:06:44.930 --> 03:06:48.140 you heard directly from customers on the local videos 03:06:48.140 --> 03:06:51.610 that support them from being disconnected. Who really 03:06:51.610 --> 03:06:55.430 helped us refine many elements of a decision, but especially 03:06:55.849 --> 03:06:59.380 the extra protections for vulnerable customers that 03:06:59.390 --> 03:07:03.910 are needed. The PD also has other components 03:07:03.919 --> 03:07:08.479 such as fulfilling the requirements of SB 1338, another 03:07:08.479 --> 03:07:14.010 Wester Bill that was directing us to increase the enrollment 03:07:14.039 --> 03:07:19.160 in Medical Baseline and we heard of all the different 03:07:19.550 --> 03:07:23.910 sub elements of that very much during the PSPS 03:07:23.910 --> 03:07:28.510 events, coupled with the elements in President Batjer's 03:07:28.519 --> 03:07:32.689 PSPS proposed decisions. That is including additional 03:07:32.869 --> 03:07:37.760 elements that increase that enrollment and that outreach. Finally 03:07:37.760 --> 03:07:40.769 in line with the fundamental premise of this proceeding, 03:07:41.380 --> 03:07:45.570 that the inability to pay is the main cause of disconnection. 03:07:46.349 --> 03:07:49.860 There are generally two reasons you're unable to pay. 03:07:50.099 --> 03:07:53.369 You don't have sufficient income because loss of employment 03:07:53.950 --> 03:07:56.349 or you don't have sufficient income to pay your 03:07:56.349 --> 03:08:00.289 bills because the bill is too high. We have multiple 03:08:00.289 --> 03:08:04.119 measures in the PD focused on the former and have adapted 03:08:04.119 --> 03:08:06.939 protections for customers who have a temporary loss 03:08:06.939 --> 03:08:10.149 of income due to unemployment like the payment plan 03:08:11.039 --> 03:08:15.340 However, aside from our existing bill discount program 03:08:16.180 --> 03:08:19.999 the Karen Farrell program, we do not have a lot of measures 03:08:20.059 --> 03:08:23.419 to address the affordability leading to disconnection because 03:08:24.539 --> 03:08:29.209 of the level of the bill. For that reason, the PD also 03:08:29.209 --> 03:08:32.950 includes the process utilities and ratepayer advocates 03:08:33.490 --> 03:08:37.760 to work together on the development of a pilot to test 03:08:38.340 --> 03:08:42.680 the builder cap to no more than 2 to 4% of a low income 03:08:42.680 --> 03:08:47.499 customers income. Affordability is also a major driver 03:08:47.510 --> 03:08:51.800 leading produces disconnection and therefore a solution 03:08:51.809 --> 03:08:56.479 being to provide affordable bills. There's many more 03:08:56.490 --> 03:08:59.999 measures in the PD. These are really the 03:08:59.999 --> 03:09:03.499 highlights that I wanted to share. And I won't go 03:09:03.530 --> 03:09:07.689 through the process of the usual thanking of folks 03:09:07.700 --> 03:09:09.880 because obviously we don't have a finished product 03:09:09.880 --> 03:09:14.470 yet, but I do want to, obviously, I know you'll be 03:09:14.479 --> 03:09:17.579 discussing with the assigned Administrative Law Judge Joe 03:09:17.579 --> 03:09:21.669 Kelly and the Energy Division Bruce Kenshiro, who have 03:09:21.680 --> 03:09:26.749 both been tremendous on this, so I thank you for 03:09:26.760 --> 03:09:30.930 your indulgence on letting me share with you personally 03:09:31.209 --> 03:09:34.300 And I look forward to being able to vote on this. 03:09:35.840 --> 03:09:38.320 Thank you. 03:09:38.320 --> 03:09:41.005 Okay. Thank you very much, 03:09:41.017 --> 03:09:43.369 Commissioner Guzman Aceves. Very helpful. 03:09:43.499 --> 03:09:46.056 Yes, Commissioner Shiroma? 03:09:46.081 --> 03:09:48.220 Thank you, President 03:09:48.220 --> 03:09:52.399 Batjer. And thank you, Commissioner Guzman Aceves. I have 03:09:52.410 --> 03:09:57.840 two reports. One, both brief, one is to let everyone 03:09:57.840 --> 03:10:01.780 know that we, my office intends to have an all party meeting 03:10:02.130 --> 03:10:06.160 on CARE. Speaking of CARE. which is a California Alternative 03:10:06.160 --> 03:10:10.470 Rates for Energy program with is the discount 03:10:10.470 --> 03:10:15.169 program for low income families and individuals. 03:10:15.269 --> 03:10:19.450 In light of current events and a keen interest in 03:10:19.450 --> 03:10:23.649 how the CPUC is helping Californians where the 03:10:23.649 --> 03:10:25.729 COVID 03:10:25.729 --> 03:10:28.050 the crisis. 03:10:28.050 --> 03:10:34.010 There has been a keen interest in ideas on further 03:10:34.010 --> 03:10:36.899 education and outreach for CARE. To you really assure 03:10:37.209 --> 03:10:40.220 that we're reaching everybody who does need help with 03:10:40.220 --> 03:10:43.720 their utility bills. So we will be putting together 03:10:43.720 --> 03:10:48.220 details, I anticipate that this all party meeting will 03:10:48.220 --> 03:10:52.019 occur later this month of May. We'll be providing more 03:10:52.019 --> 03:10:55.930 details, and we will notice it so that Commissioners can 03:10:55.939 --> 03:10:59.809 attend and participate if they would like to. Okay. 03:11:00.430 --> 03:11:04.300 The other thing I wanted to highlight is that May has 03:11:04.309 --> 03:11:07.269 been historically the Asian Pacific Islander American 03:11:07.280 --> 03:11:11.729 Heritage Month. We take a moment to celebrate 03:11:11.740 --> 03:11:16.910 that very rich and wonderful heritage. We recognize 03:11:16.919 --> 03:11:20.809 contributions and influence of Asian Americans 03:11:20.820 --> 03:11:24.380 and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, 03:11:24.380 --> 03:11:29.220 achievements of California and the United States. As everyone 03:11:29.220 --> 03:11:33.349 knows, the Commission got its start as the Railroad Commission 03:11:34.130 --> 03:11:38.479 and there were 15,000 to 20,000 Chinese immigrants 03:11:39.229 --> 03:11:43.809 who made a major contribution and sacrifice, sometimes 03:11:43.809 --> 03:11:46.869 with their life for the construction of the continental 03:11:46.869 --> 03:11:52.209 railroad. Now California has really had a checkered 03:11:52.209 --> 03:11:57.019 past of discrimination against Asian Americans and 03:11:57.030 --> 03:12:00.300 Pacific Islanders. You know, a few examples from 03:12:00.309 --> 03:12:05.430 the, from the time of statehood in the mid 1800s 03:12:05.919 --> 03:12:09.930 the Chinese Exclusion Act, the denial of public health 03:12:10.619 --> 03:12:16.010 to communities of Asian Islander heritage and ethnicity 03:12:16.010 --> 03:12:19.740 and then course of the implementation of Executive 03:12:19.740 --> 03:12:24.840 Order 9066 which, incarcerated thousands 03:12:25.269 --> 03:12:31.720 of California because of their Japanese ethnicity into 03:12:31.820 --> 03:12:37.479 camps. And we hope to have learned from this, I think 03:12:37.490 --> 03:12:41.430 we have things we've learned from it, but even now, there 03:12:41.430 --> 03:12:46.090 are folks in our Asian American and Pacific Islander community 03:12:46.149 --> 03:12:49.919 that are suffering after discrimination due to fears 03:12:50.269 --> 03:12:53.970 of COVID 19. We all know that COVID 19 is a 03:12:53.979 --> 03:12:58.320 public health issue, not a racial issue. During this 03:12:58.320 --> 03:13:02.649 unprecedented time of the COVID 19 crisis, it is 03:13:02.649 --> 03:13:06.030 essential the people of all cultures and backgrounds 03:13:06.039 --> 03:13:10.309 come together to support everyone in our communities 03:13:10.320 --> 03:13:15.840 and to really enjoy and celebrate the rich and wonderful 03:13:16.320 --> 03:13:21.369 heritage of the Asian Pacific Islander community. 03:13:21.820 --> 03:13:24.720 Thank you. 03:13:24.720 --> 03:13:26.387 Thank you. 03:13:26.399 --> 03:13:28.749 Commissioner Shirahama. Um, are there any 03:13:28.749 --> 03:13:32.430 other Commissioners would like to give a report. I 03:13:32.430 --> 03:13:35.981 have a brief one. Yes, Commissioner Rechtschaffen. 03:13:36.005 --> 03:13:37.180 Thank you 03:13:37.180 --> 03:13:40.240 for reminding us about that Commissioner Shiroma, and it's 03:13:40.280 --> 03:13:44.269 all too timely reminder given hate crimes, the uptick 03:13:44.269 --> 03:13:50.840 in hate crimes we've seen recently. I just want to say I miss 03:13:50.840 --> 03:13:53.320 you guys. I miss working with my colleagues, 03:13:53.320 --> 03:13:57.340 I missed being around the PUC, and on the staff 03:13:57.340 --> 03:14:02.090 and the energy that working together provides. I am, I 03:14:02.099 --> 03:14:05.999 want to echo what President Batjer said and Commissioner 03:14:06.010 --> 03:14:08.220 Guzman Aceves said at the start, that our staff 03:14:08.910 --> 03:14:12.599 has been extraordinary. They continue to excel, I'm extremely 03:14:12.599 --> 03:14:15.809 proud of working at the PUC and all the work we're doing 03:14:15.809 --> 03:14:19.610 to protect the public and respond to this crisis. 03:14:19.610 --> 03:14:23.649 Thank you. I miss you all too. I'm in the office. Molly's 03:14:23.660 --> 03:14:26.238 here, the Lynn is out there. 03:14:26.262 --> 03:14:28.470 But I miss Director 03:14:28.470 --> 03:14:31.760 Stebbins snacks, especially during the meeting. Maybe 03:14:31.760 --> 03:14:34.369 you get, you may be getting if you're in the Sacramento 03:14:34.369 --> 03:14:35.512 office. 03:14:35.536 --> 03:14:38.990 No, no, I will admit to you all, I stuck 03:14:38.990 --> 03:14:43.099 my hand in my drawer and pulled out a couple M&Ms. 03:14:43.559 --> 03:14:47.800 So bad on me. But my tummy was starting to 03:14:47.800 --> 03:14:53.240 growl. So, Commissioner Randolph, did you have any 03:14:53.249 --> 03:14:56.394 any report you wanted to make today? 03:14:56.418 --> 03:14:57.579 No, I think 03:14:57.579 --> 03:15:00.262 I'll, I will wait till next meeting. 03:15:00.286 --> 03:15:01.660 OK, so I'm going 03:15:01.660 --> 03:15:04.249 to make a brief one, because I do not, I do hear 03:15:04.249 --> 03:15:08.390 tummy's growling. So earlier this week, Governor 03:15:08.390 --> 03:15:11.380 Newsome issued a proclamation declaring this week 03:15:11.539 --> 03:15:16.240 Wildfire Preparedness Week in California. As we 03:15:16.249 --> 03:15:19.289 are all very aware, recent years have brought 03:15:19.300 --> 03:15:22.260 some of the most deadly and destructive wildfires our 03:15:22.260 --> 03:15:26.229 state has seen and with dry conditions from last year's 03:15:26.240 --> 03:15:30.619 dry winter. It is likely, or this year's as well, 03:15:30.760 --> 03:15:35.399 it is likely to be another high risk fire season again, 03:15:35.479 --> 03:15:39.079 this yea. CalFire has reported that there are already 03:15:39.090 --> 03:15:43.860 400 more fires than the average for this time last 03:15:43.860 --> 03:15:47.640 year. As we prepare for this coming wildfire season, 03:15:47.899 --> 03:15:50.809 the question isn't if there will be wildfires. The 03:15:50.809 --> 03:15:54.539 question is where and when, which underscores deeply 03:15:54.809 --> 03:15:59.140 the need to focus on preparedness. Lead agencies like 03:15:59.140 --> 03:16:02.519 CalFire and the California Governor's Office of Emergency 03:16:02.530 --> 03:16:06.419 Services have been working at an astonishing pace on 03:16:06.419 --> 03:16:12.640 fuel reduction projects and how to plan, how to safeguard 03:16:12.649 --> 03:16:16.880 communities against catastrophic wildfires. Well, these 03:16:16.880 --> 03:16:20.340 agencies are expediting work to protect Californians 03:16:20.539 --> 03:16:24.070 Wildfire Preparedness week is an opportunity for 03:16:24.079 --> 03:16:27.369 each of us before wildfire season starts could consider 03:16:27.369 --> 03:16:30.419 the steps we can take to help protect ourselves and 03:16:30.419 --> 03:16:34.329 others. With this in mind, CalFire has revamped its 03:16:34.329 --> 03:16:37.800 Wildfire Preparedness Website, which is www.readyforwildfire.org 03:16:37.809 --> 03:16:41.399 where Californians can learn 03:16:41.399 --> 03:16:46.079 about steps to take more, to be, steps to be 03:16:46.079 --> 03:16:49.749 more prepared and actions to protect homes and prepare 03:16:49.749 --> 03:16:53.709 for evacuation. As we're in the midst of the California's 03:16:53.709 --> 03:16:56.979 Wildfire Preparedness Week, I'd also like to highlight 03:16:56.990 --> 03:17:01.229 an important milestone in the CPUC work to better 03:17:01.229 --> 03:17:05.320 protect our communities from wildfires. Today, the CPUC's 03:17:05.329 --> 03:17:10.450 Wildfire Safety Division issued a draft action 03:17:10.459 --> 03:17:15.119 statement addressing the Electric Utilities 2020 Wildfire 03:17:15.119 --> 03:17:18.390 Mitigation plans with additional requirements that 03:17:18.390 --> 03:17:21.979 the utilities must implement to increase safety and 03:17:21.990 --> 03:17:25.950 decrease the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires in 03:17:25.950 --> 03:17:30.110 2020 and beyond planning is essential to mitigating 03:17:30.110 --> 03:17:34.140 the threat of utility ignited wildfires. To that effect 03:17:34.340 --> 03:17:38.410 the CPUC Wildfire Safety Division has developed a framework 03:17:38.700 --> 03:17:42.399 to assess the utilities plans and current abilities 03:17:42.610 --> 03:17:48.369 to mitigate wildfires. The CPUC's 2020 guidelines significantly 03:17:48.369 --> 03:17:52.410 raised standards and expectations for the utilities' 03:17:52.419 --> 03:17:55.800 developed welfare mitigation plans that include stronger 03:17:55.800 --> 03:17:59.860 rationales and data to support their chosen wildfire 03:17:59.860 --> 03:18:03.530 safety initiative. I encourage everyone to review 03:18:03.530 --> 03:18:07.640 the draft actions and consider submitting comments on 03:18:07.640 --> 03:18:12.189 them before the 20-day deadline. The draft approvals 03:18:12.200 --> 03:18:16.019 can be found on the Wildfire Mitigation Plans section 03:18:16.229 --> 03:18:19.570 of the CPUC's website. 03:18:19.570 --> 03:18:25.619 So that finishes out the Commissioner's reports. Please 03:18:25.630 --> 03:18:31.630 everyone stay healthy. Stay safe. This public meaning 03:18:31.860 --> 03:18:35.999 is now adjourned. Be smart and wise, and please keep 03:18:35.999 --> 03:18:39.669 practising social distance, distancing. 03:18:40.919 --> 03:18:44.680 Tough word to get out. Six feet everyone. So thank you 03:18:44.680 --> 03:18:51.200 all this. This public meeting is adjourned