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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission
Voting Meeting. On this day Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections,
you may disconnect at this time. President Reynolds,
you may begin. Good morning everyone and welcome to
the California Public Utilities Commission Voting Meeting.
We're going to start with a brief safety message today.
Please listen carefully to this announcement regarding
important safety information. To assist you in exiting
the building in case of a fire, emergency or building
evacuation. To exit this building, there are two exits
located in the rear of the auditorium and one exit
on either side of the dais. Once safely out of the building,
please report to the designated evacuation assembly
location. The garden area plaza between the War Memorial
Herbst Theater and the War Memorial Opera House building
on Venice Avenue. You are to remain at the evacuation
location, until directed to return to the building.
This completes our safety announcement. Thank you.
All right with that. Um, I'm calling this meeting of
July 13, 2023 Public Agenda No. 3530 to order.
We need to start by establishing a quorum. Agenda Clerk,
could you please call the roll? Commissioner Douglas?
Here. Commissioner John Reynolds? Here. Commissioner Houck?
Here. Commissioner Shiroma? Here. President Alice Reynolds?
Here. We have a quorum. Today, we're meeting at the CPUC
headquarters in San Francisco. And this meeting is also
being live streamed at www.adminmonitor.com
/ca/cpuc I'm going to start with a few
housekeeping matters before we get started. For those
watching the live stream. Closed captioning is available
in English and Spanish. To view the closed captioning,
click on the green button beneath the webcast video
player and follow the instructions that appear on screen.
Spanish interpretation is also available during the
public comment portion of today's meeting. For Spanish
interpretation dial 1-800-857-1917, passcode 3799627#.
And follow the instructions to be connected to the
Spanish line. I ask that my colleagues and today's
speakers speak clearly and slowly to allow for interpretation
at today's meeting. The public will have the opportunity
to make public comments either in-person or by telephone.
If you wish to make a public comment, please visit
the Public Advisor's, Advisor's Office table located
just outside in the lobby. To add your name to the Public
Comment list. If you wish to make a Public Comment
by telephone, please dial 1-800-857-1917 and enter
passcode 9899501#, and then press *1. You will be
placed in a queue and the operator will take your name
and information. You will then be called upon to speak
when we get to the Public Comment period in today's
Agenda. Please note that if there are many callers
the wait to speak may be long. If you encounter difficulty
calling into the public telephone line, please email:
votingmeetinghelp@cpuc.ca.gov For those
of you who are not able to provide oral public comments
at today's Public Voting Meeting. Or if you would like
to provide more lengthy comments, you may submit written
comments. Written comments may be sent to us in two
ways. One via the online form found in each proceedings
online docket card or two directly to our Public Adviser's
Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
For more information about providing public comments
please contact our Public Advisor's Office. And again
that email is public.advisor@cpuc.ca.
gov or you may call 1-866-849-8390. You can also visit
our website and click on the make a comment icon.
So with that, I would like to welcome everyone to today's
meeting on July 13, 2023. This is our first in-person
Voting Meeting for quite some time. And I am really
pleased to be here in-person on an actual dais today
with my fellow Commissioners. Um, as well as sitting
before um, the members of the public, stakeholders and
CPUC Staff. That have traveled here to our San Francisco
headquarters. Um, and now that the meetings are in-person
the public has two options to make public comment either
in-person or by telephone. Um, and so I do have instructions
for uh the Public Comment in-person. Um, we'll be doing
that first, so we'll be taking um comments from those
of you in the room first. Um, I will call the first
3 speakers and um, then I'll go in groups of 3.
And so you can get prepared to come up when I call
your name. Um, so let's see, um
a few instructions on Public Comment. Um, if you and
we're gonna go to how to, to call-in and make Public Comment
by telephone now. So if you wish to make a public comment
by telephone and you've already dialed into the public
comment telephone line. Please press *1 and
unmute your phone. The public can make comments addressing
Items on the Consent and Regular Agenda. As well as
items not on the Agenda. PUC rules do not allow for
parties to proceedings to speak about open proceedings.
All men, all uh speakers will have 2 minutes to speak.
You will hear a bell sound when your time is up. So
please be mindful of other speakers waiting to speak
and keep to your allotted time. If there are a large
number of people wishing to speak, the time limit may
be changed to accommodate all callers. So as a reminder
please speak clearly and slowly to accommodate Spanish
interpreters. And with that guidance in mind, I welcome
today's speakers. So I will now call the first 3
speakers. Um, uh the first person is Sharon uh, Giovinazzo.
Um, and then waiting in the queue. The second speaker
is Sammy Shipman and the third is Susan Reid.
All right, welcome. Thank you, President Reynolds.
President Reynolds and Commissioners. My name is Sharon
Giovinazzo. I'm the President and CEO of the Lighthouse
for the Blind. I'm here today before you as one of
the voices of the Blind community in San Francisco.
Advocating for the licensing of autonomous vehicles
in our beloved city. As a person who is blind, I experience
every day um, discrimination because I choose to use
a guide dog to navigate the world. And these are challenges
faced daily by riders who are blind using rideshare
and taxi services. Autonomous vehicles offers a solution
that transcends the barriers and biases that we encounter
every day. These vehicles are not only capable of transforming
transportation but transforming lives. This city has
always been on the forefront of innovation and progressive
thinking. You've embraced groundbreaking technologies
champion, environmental sustainability and prioritize
social justice. Licensing autonomous vehicles in San
Francisco is the next logical step. I was disappointed
to learn that the Commissioner's vote had been moved
to August 10. I strongly urge the Commission to adopt
the resolution approving the permit without delay. Affording
Waymo and Cruise the opportunity to operate 24/7 in the
city and county of San Francisco. This would enable
people like me to go where we need to go, when we
need to go without the fear of discrimination. Together
let us champion the licensing of autonomous vehicles
in San Francisco. And together let us create a future
that knows no boundaries. Thank you for your time and
consideration and my full testimony was submitted.
Thank you, President Reynolds. Thank you very much.
Our next speaker is Sammy Shipman.
Hey, everyone. Yeah, I'm Sammy Shipman. I'm also here
today representing National Federation of the Blind
of California. I am speaking today in full support
of Waymo's autonomous, fully autonomous vehicles. As
was stated previously, I too face discrimination when,
because I choose to use a guide dog from rideshare
services. Waymo's autonomous vehicles will give me
the freedom. Man, I wish I had longer than two minutes.
To describe the feeling of full independence and being
able to go where I need to go. Also, I'd feel safe
as a pedestrian walking on the streets with Waymo cars.
As they follow all the rules of the road. Uh, Waymo has my
full support and vote. And I urge you to let this hearing
happen. I understand it's been delayed a few times
and I hope this can happen in August. So that we can
further discuss and vote on these important issues.
Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is Susan Reid.
Commissioners, my name is Susan Reid.
I stand before you because the solar company we hired
Sunpower Corporation. Failed to file our fully qualified
package for NEM2 pricing by the April 15 deadline.
In the mad dash for solar companies to meet the deadline,
Sunpower simply failed to perform their duty. To file
our application in a timely manner and we are suffering
the consequences. As a consumer, we should not be penalized
for corporate incompetence. Their error will result
in our household suffering from higher costs and lower
benefits under the NEM3 program. This is unfair
and unjust. Here is my request on behalf of all
ratepayers in a similar situation. There should be a formal
ratepayer appeals process. For reviewing situations
where an administrative or similar error has caused
an otherwise eligible application to not be included
in the NEM2 program and I thank you for your time.
Our next speaker is Kyle De La Cazada. And then after
that, we have Arianne Marcus and Sudie Skull.
All right. Hi, my name is Kyle. I'm a student pursuing
a career in urban planning. I am here before the CPUC
to oppose the expansion of autonomous vehicles. On the
grounds that it will have a drastic negative impact
on traffic congestion due to a phenomenon known as
induced demand. AVs are poised to reduce the barrier
to choose trips via personal vehicles which induce
demand states. Will increase the volume of personal
vehicle trips being taken. This is made evident with
Cruise's founder Kyle Watt saying he hopes, hopes AVs
taxi service will be dramatically cheaper than comparable
rideshare trips. This will reduce the cost barrier
making personal vehicle trips far, far more attractive
as an option. If this happens, this will not only nullify
the many millions spent on traffic reduction efforts
by this city. But also take trips away from our ailing
yet vital public transport system. Our roads are not
built to handle any, anywhere near the amount of traffic
it handles on a daily basis. Any increase in the volume
of this traffic will cause many problems. I hope that
you'll take this into consideration and thank you for
your time.
Thank you. The next speaker is Arianne Marcus.
Good morning, uh President Reynolds and Commissioners.
My name is Arianne and I'm speaking today in support
of Waymo and Cruise and autonomous driving technology. I've
been riding with Waymo for nearly a year. And at this
point, it is my primary mode of transportation around
San Francisco. To places where I cannot access by foot
or bike. I feel safe in a Waymo every day, especially
as a woman who has had numerous unsafe and unpleasant
interactions while using other ride, hailing and taxi
service apps. But beyond that, I'm an avid cyclist
and runner and an active member of my local triathlon
club. I train daily on the streets of San Francisco
and feel safe around Waymo and Cruise's autonomous vehicles.
Knowing they are designed to follow the rules of the
road and prioritize safety over speed.
Having had countless close calls with drivers on the
road. I unfortunately know the matter of being hit
or injured is not an if, but a when. Autonomous technology
will save lives on the streets of our city and will
make the roads safer for both pedestrians and drivers
alike. I please beg and urge the Commission to adopt
the resolution in approving the permit without any
further delay. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker
is Sudie Skull.
Welcome Commissioners. I am Sudie Skull. I am a marriage
and family therapist. And I am disabled by electromagnetic
frequencies, and without accommodations I cannot function.
I cannot use a cell phone. Clients are careful to turn
theirs off and insurance companies pay me with paper
checks versus electronic charge cards. I rely on AT&T's
landline for my home and business. Now AT&T
wants to drop the landline. Usage is down but AT&T
fraudulently counts households with a landline and
DSL as not having a landline at all. This is a money
grab. Auto companies did the same thing with city street
cars in the early 1900s, they bought them out.
The result is pollution and climate change. Based on
the National Toxicology program study, David Sanson
Medical Director of the American Cancer Society. Links
EMF to increased cancer and specifically brain cancer.
2013 there was a state proposal to eliminate AT&T's
landline. The CPUC with President Peavey vocally
opposed the bill and it did not pass. Hallelujah. Today
deny AT&T's proposal to eliminate landlines. Thank
you. Thank you. All right. The next, I'll read the
next three speakers. Uh Tian, Tian Estrada. Um, I'm sorry
I think I pronounced it Tania Estrada, Humberto Pinon, uh Leslie
Detilini. Um, uh Miss Estrada is first. Welcome. Thank you. Um, President
Reynolds and Commissioners. My name is Tanya Estrada,
Executive Director of the Women's Building. And would
like to share that at this present moment we support
the Waymo. In their application on bringing autonomous vehicles
to market. As a way to bring a more safer and accessible
transportation option for more Californians. Waymo has volunteered
with us, sponsored events and providing free rides
to volunteer accountants for our tax program. To travel
our facility early morning and late at night after
the shift ended. As a nonprofit organization free accessible
service for our communities makes a huge impact. We
understand that technology has an impact on workers.
But technology cannot replace the human aspect and
interaction within our society. We all want to improve
mobility in our communities and under their populations.
Seniors and people with disabilities while making it
safe for them to ride a vehicle and being environmentally
responsible. We support Waymo on providing that
to the community. Thank you. Thank you.
Next, we have Mr. Pinon.
President Reynolds and Commissioners. My name is Humberto
Pinon and I'm here on behalf of Curry Senior Center, down
the street in the Tenderloin. We give our full support
to Waymo simply because they have been a lifeline to many
of our disabled and limited mobility clients. They
were key in helping to make our senior pride picnic
happen last month. Since many of our participants are
in wheelchairs or had mobility issues, and were too
afraid to ride public transit. We got to and from the
event in the Castro safely in their wheelchair accessible
vehicles. And feel this service as a step in the future
of helping clients such as ours. To be able to live
a more independent life. And have more opportunities
to be a part of the social fabric which is so important
for the health and wellness of older adults. With a
service like Waymo, Curry Senior Center is able to make
sure more Tenderloin seniors get to health appointments,
social functions and are able to ultimately live a
happier and healthier life. Please accept the resolution.
Thank you. Thank you.
Next, uh Ms. Detilandio?
Good morning, President Reynolds and Commissioners.
My name is Leslie Dutiendea and I want to comment on AT&T's
petition to terminate landline phone service, and DSL
wired internet service. I have a landline phone and
DSL wired internet, that I and my family rely on, and
use daily. Landline phone and DSL wired internet do
not expose my family to substantial amounts of hazardous
wireless radiation. I also opted out of the PG&E
Smart Meter program and the SFPU Smart Meter program,
they use Wi-Fi. The former Director of the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National
Technology Program has said a mounting body of published
studies. Associates radiofrequency radiation with adverse
negative health effects. FCC limits need to be strengthened
to protect the public, especially children and vulnerable
populations from long term exposures. AT&T landline
phone service and DSL wired internet service, service.
Should continue to remain in place to serve the public
who needs it. Thank you so very much for your time.
Thank you. All right. The next 3 speakers are Emmanuel
Flores, Jose Garza and Patricia Duangchang.
Miss uh, Mr. Flores is first.
Hi, hi, hi, good morning. Um, my name is Manuel Flores
Garcia. I'm a rising Senior at the University of San
Francisco, um who has used Cruise through the free
ride partnership program between USF and Cruise. I'm
here because I support the Cruise's ability to expand
across San Francisco. I believe that self-driving cars
and vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transport
transportation. And I think that Cruise is one of the
leading companies in the space. They have a strong
track record of safety and they have been operating
in San Francisco for several years without any major
incidents. I believe that they are well positioned
to expand their service to provide a safe and convenient
transportation
across San Francisco and the residents.
I believe that Cruise's expansion would be a positive
development for San Francisco for several reasons.
For example, job creation and the economical growth
of San Francisco. Environmental impacts, reduce traffic
congestion and technological advancements. I understand
that there are some several concerns and safeties of
self-driving cars and vehicles. However, I believe
that the concerns outweigh the potential benefits that
Cruise and Waymo will have. Cruise has a strong record of
safety
and has been continuously working to improve their
technology. I am confident that they will continue
to operate and safety and expand their service. As a
student, I've used Cruise several times feeling confident
in getting around San Francisco. And I strongly believe
that Cruise and Waymo are here to stay for the long term
and have a lot of great things to offer. Thank you.
Thank you. The next speaker is Jose Garza.
Hello everyone. Thank you uh, for being here. Um, my
name is Jose Garza and I'm here for the expansion of
the driverless taxis that will lower more traffic conjestions
and safety issues. So I will let the committee, the
CPUC to please uh, to think before they vote on the
Yes. Uh, because anyone who has driven in San Francisco
knows that their streets can be unpredictable as drivers.
We are constantly adapting to the situation as well.
Seeing autonomous vehicles struggle and handle complex
situations and make informed decisions. Leading to safety
risk of passengers and other road users. For example
driver often talk to a passenger to ensure smooth pickup.
Driverless taxis cannot do that and this can cause abrupt
stopping and traffic congestions. We still need human
inversions to ensure safety and prevent delays on San
Francisco streets. And this uh, uh happens because I
experienced it one of the Waymo. And then um, on one of the
stops that I use. The this vehicle is let me on a
street where I wasn't supposed to be and it told me.
Automatically that I need to walk, you know, 5 minutes
to my destination. So this is the reason why you guys
should take consideration on these vehicles. You know,
for also for the people that drives. You know, from
Uber drivers. And also um, pretty much we have a lot
of congestions on, on homeless here in the city. There's
a lot of companies that cancel already conventions
because of that, because they don't feel safety. So
really, I don't see uh a, a really a good condition
of these autonomous vehicles driving here in the city.
Thank you very much. Thank you. The next speaker is
Patricia Dongsheng.
Good morning. My name is Patricia Dongsheng. I'm a student
of University of San Francisco according a partnership
between the school and Cruise. We get free trip to
and from campus. When I take a Cruise, I don't have
to worry about the driver getting lost or taking a
long way home at night. Furthermore, Cruise customer
service is excellent. Whenever I have question or concern
I have to do just click a button and they lie there
to help. Because of its safe ability and accountability
I would love to support, expand the Cruise service. And
would like to make good as my family mode of transportation
to and from my home, my school and my workplace. And
any location that I need support, safe and reliable
transportation. Thank you. Thank you. All right. The
next 3 speakers are Adrian Smith, Olga Miranda,
um Abdul Hadwon. We'll start with uh, um Adrian Smith.
Hello. We've heard that the expansion of autonomous
vehicles in San Francisco should be restricted. Because
of concerns around induced demand. Which is to say
more people being able to get around the city. Listen
to all those who have spoken today about how Cruise
removed barriers to their mobility. And enable them to
move around the city without fear. This is the so called
induced demand that we're worried about. Perhaps one
day our city's public transit will be able to serve
these people effectively. But today, it is failing
them. We have an opportunity to help them now. Even
then expanding autonomous vehicle usage today speeds
up the timeline for public transit being able to take
advantage of the same technologies. We can use those
to expand service and quality for public transit and
private ridership. Finally, with a record high number
of people of all backgrounds being killed and harmed
in traffic violence. Is not something that we can comfortably
wait for expansion of public transit for. The autonomous
vehicle expansion gives us an opportunity to reduce
these numbers today. And does nothing to harm the ability
of public transit to reduce those numbers tomorrow.
Thank you for your time. Thank you.
Miss Miranda?
Olga Miranda?
Good morning. Uh, my name is Olga Miranda and I'm the
President of SEIU Local 87. Um, we've been waiting for
this vote to take place, since the last time it was
postponed and now it's the second. So I just want to
ask and I understand you have the weight of the world
on your shoulders as Commissioners. And whether or not
this is gonna be something fruitful. For respectfully
our municipality, our city, but also throughout California.
And there are different measures that everyone is considering
here. That's why everybody has shown up even during
Public Comment in support of. I am standing here and
speaking in support of Cruise being able to allow to
be able to expand. The requests that they have made
to you as the Commissioners. And on behalf of working
families, we have an incredible partnership with Cruise.
In being able to make sure that our members that are
working in their buildings right now have been taken
care of even during the pandemic. We understand that
there are other partnerships that they work with. Everything
from groups that have children with disabilities, families
that have children with cognitive, that's absolutely
important. And some of our Children who are autistic
or have disabilities can't just get on the bus. Or get
on BART. These types of services are absolutely important.
But for working families, the safety of it all is for
there to be expansion. So our members can also be able
to join and have access to that service. Thank you
so much. Please understand it's about innovation, but
also partnering with the community as allies. Thank
you so much. Thank you.
The next speaker is Abdul Hadwon and I understand
we have a translator.
Hello, my name is Abdul Hadwona. I'm with the SEIU also
Local 87. I'm here to express my support for Cruise to
expand its services to San Francisco 24/7. California
is a leader when it comes to advancing sustainable
transportation options. And the Commission should not
delay or change approval for this matter. They are
helping California remain the home for innovation while
advancing economic development. Uh and, and creating
new jobs Cruise offers people another choice. Given
a clean accessible and affordable transportation options
for San Francisco and eventually for California. With
its services, Cruise has been a strong community partner
in San Francisco. And has actively worked with our members
and the, the broader community, and the broader
community. We have seen all too many businesses leave
San Francisco and California. So we should, we should
be supporting those who continue to integrate into
our communities and desire to be and grow here. Uh,
I know they have worked with other, with other community
based organizations. And have been responsive to addressing
concerns and questions. For these reasons, I urge the
CPUC to approve this resolution today. Thank you so
much. Thank you. The next speaker is Ying Me.
Hi. Um, my name is uh Yingsa Me and I am uh, SEIU
Local 87. So um, I'm calling to uh, expand my uh support.
Uh, for the Cruise to expand its service to the San
Francisco. So, SEIU 87 is ready to work with um, Cruise to
get a good job in the San Francisco. And company across
California will provide a life saving service is helping
California remaining the home. And remaining the leader
for the innovation. I'm upset uh, that the vote has been delayed
twice. We hope to count on your support for this expense,
uh expansion. And that it will be vote on August 10.
Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is Esperanza
Varelas, followed by Marina Valera.
Good morning.
My name is Esperanza Varelas.
I'm a member of SEIU Local 87.
I'm here to, uh express my support for Cruise and Local 87. And
(speaking Spanish)
And to expand their service across San Francisco to
24 hours a day.
Our union uh, SEIU Local 87 is
uh, ready to partner with Cruise to expand uh, good
jobs here in San Francisco.
And with communities
across California to provide a service
that saves
oh, lives.
(speaking Spanish)
Cruise is helping California to establish
and a leader of innovation.
I'm,
oh, I'm upset
that the vote
has been
um has been tabled 2 times already.
Um we hope to um, count on your support
for this space
for the vote that will be held on August 10. Thank
you. Thank you. The next speaker is Marina Valera.
My name is Marina Valera.
I'm a member of SEIU Local 87.
I'm here to express my support for Cruise,
(speaking Spanish)
and to expand their services across San Francisco 24/7.
hours a day.
Our, our Union SEIU Local 87 is ready to work with Cruise.
To add good jobs in San Francisco and communities across
California.
Uh, while providing a life saving service.
Cruise is helping California remain the home and remain
the leader for innovation.
I'm upset that the vote has been tabled twice already.
I hope I can count on your vote and support, um at
the August 10 vote. Thank you. Thank you.
That is the end of uh, the list of speakers that I
have. But I will ask if there's anyone else in the
room who would like to make a Public Comment?
Okay, I don't see anyone approaching. Um, so with that
uh we'll now turn to Public Comments on the public
comment telephone line. Um Operator, could you proceed
with the public comments on the telephone line? Thank
you. The public comment telephone line is now open.
For those of you on the phone. If you wish to speak
during the Public Comment period. Please unmute your
phone, press *1, and record your first and last
name slowly and clearly when prompted. The first speaker
is Emily Loper.
Good Morning Commissioners. Emily Loper with Bay Area
Council representing over 300 major employers across
the region. We strongly support expanding access to
Waymo and Cruise autonomous vehicles in San Francisco,
without further delay. For many residents who don't
own a car or for whom public transit is not convenient.
Driverless cars offer a safe, convenient and affordable
mobility option. And the data is very clear that driverless
cars are extremely safe. Safer in most cases than human
drivers. And that's only going to improve as the technology
gets better and better. These all electric vehicles
significantly help us also reach our state's ambitious
carbon reduction goals. And we're proud that San Francisco
is home to this innovation that will transform the
way we move. So we urge you to move forward with the
vote at your next meeting. To provide these benefits
to many San Francisco residents. Thanks very much.
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
Thank you. The next speaker is James Garcia.
Hello, can you hear me? Yes, we can.
Okay, good morning. Uh, my name is James Garcia. I'm the
Communications Coordinator for United Cerebral Palsy.
We're a national network of disability service providers
that includes 10 affiliate agencies in California.
I'm here on behalf of the United Cerebral Palsy's President
and CEO, Armando Contreras. Who was unable to attend
today because of a previous commitment. By weight of full
disclosure, uh Waymo has been a valued supporter of UCP. Including
in support of our annual conference and our upcoming
National Conference of Latinos with Disabilities. And
we're also a proud member of the Waymo Accessibility Network.
Uh, became familiar with Waymo's uh, very impressive, uh autonomous
vehicle technology at a recent demonstration. Uh, during
one of our meetings in Phoenix. And while we urge California
to work diligently to continue to improve accessibility.
To the full range of mass transit in cities across
the state. We strongly support the incorporation of
autonomous vehicles with continued input from the disability
community. As to their, um as to their aspects and characteristics.
And as someone noted earlier, this technology is nothing
but revolutionary, with regards to people with disabilities
and accessibilities issues. In the name of diversity,
equity and inclusion, as well as accessibility. United Palsy
strongly urges you to expedite the consideration
and processing of Waymo's permit. To operate in San Francisco
and other California cities. Uh, cities during your
next meeting in August. Uh, if you need any other information
you can always reach out to us. We're at cup.org Thank
you so much. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
Next speaker is Jerry Cars.
Good morning, President Reynolds and Commissioners. Thank
you very much for this opportunity to speak. Uh, my
name is Jerry He. I am the Executive Director of CARTS.
We are a nonprofit organization uh, connecting communities
in need to mobility innovations. I'm speaking here
today on behalf of my organization. In all appreciation
and support of the transformative technology of Cruise
automation. Its autonomous vehicles and its services.
Autonomous vehicles have a unique agency to provide
affordable mobility at scale in a nondiscriminatory
manner to everybody. Cruise for example, currently
provides exceptional mobility services when mooney
and BART are not in service at late night. We have the
opportunity for driverless vehicles to unleash a significant
societal values. To provide life changing mobilities
for the many of us who have been left behind for too
long. The disabled community, the public housing residents,
the unsheltered. The youth who are too young to drive.
The senior who are too old to drive. The many households
who have very limited mobility options. And who need
to spend a significant amount of their disposable income
in mobility. Affordable transportation is affordable
mobility and affordable mobility is affordable utility.
To achieve that goal, I think it's fundamentally important
that the Commission approve the expansion of autonomous
services here in San Francisco because scalability
is the key to provide high quality affordable mobility.
Having tried the services independently multiple times
in both Cruise and Waymo vehicles. And as a computer
scientist and urban planner myself, I can confidently
say that the technology is here, ready and safe. We
as a society should work together to help this technology
deliver its societal values. To provide mobility for
all. And I urge for the Commission to permit their
services expansion as soon as possible.
Thank you for your comment. Operator, next caller please.
Thank you. The next speaker is Sasha Blair Goldson.
Hi. Uh, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay. So I'm
Sasha Blair Goldenson. And I'm calling today in full support
of Cruise's application for electric autonomous accessible
vehicles. After 14 years as a wheelchair user, I've
come to realize how difficult it can be for disabled
people to explore urban spaces with the same freedom
and ease non-disabled folks take for granted. Every
time I visited San Francisco from New York where I
live. I'm reminded what a difference, 100% accessible
transit like your BART system has and our subway does
not. Similarly when I was in London in 2018, I saw
what it meant for traveling confidently with my family.
To have a city where every taxi is wheelchair accessible.
So I've been impressed and amazed by Cruise's development
of the origin mobility vehicle, fully electric and
autonomous. Which has a wheelchair ramp so everyone
can ride. In addition to to the environmental benefits
of an all electric vehicle and safety benefits of autonomous
driving. The commitment to an accessible vehicle is
critical. And I fully support what Cruise automation
is doing. Please approve their proposal. Thank you.
Thank you. Operator, next caller please. Thank you.
The next speaker is Joseph Urban.
Yes, hello. My name is Joseph Urban. I'm a San Francisco
resident and a management consultant. And I strongly
recommend that you reconsider your governance model
on autonomous vehicles as you prepare for your next
session. I urge you to include sufficient latitude
by local authorities to fine tune the rules controlling
how these devices are allowed to operate. California
has a wide range of road conditions, community attributes
and first responder procedures. That cannot be properly
covered by broad governance at the state level. Local
authorities must have the ability to adjust how these
devices operate within limits. Our local leaders are
threatened by a broad unfettering of these devices
onto their streets. They have this fear because the
state or the jurisdiction on autonomous vehicles blocks
their control to protect their community. You have
the ability to enable a balanced governance. Whereby
policy and rules are established at the state level
with ranges of acceptable operation. Then you should
then allow local governments to administer those ranges
of operation. This new industry will provide extraordinary
benefits to our society and I fully support the rollout
of this technology. Yet we do not know all of the issues
and conditions that will arise that impact the safety
and well being of people and property. But local authorities
will be the first to know and can be the first to
resolve those issues. This industry requires iterative
good governance to be safe and ultimately accepted
by society. If your proposed governance is to court
there will be a strong and negative backlash when issues
cannot be quickly corrected. I strongly encourage you
to establish governance models that support quick iterative
fine tuning by local government in the ongoing administration
of autonomous vehicles. Thank you. Thank you. Operator,
next caller please. Next caller is Lester Fernandez.
Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. And good
morning, President Reynolds and Commissioners. I want
to thank you for the opportunity to allow me to speak
to you this morning. My name is Nester Fernandez. I'm
the Executive Director for Telegraph Hill Neighborhood
Center or TEL HI. We are a nonprofit organization who's been
serving the San Francisco community since 1890. TEL HI serves
over 1500 people each and every day. We serve seniors,
preschool, elementary, middle and high school students,
youth and young adults and families. I'm calling to
strongly support Cruise and their applications to provide
an autonomous transportation option that is critically
needed in San Francisco. Given the safety problems
with public transportation that has affected our community
especially the Asian senior population. And also the
safety issues are just walking the streets of San Francisco.
And with the decreasing number of buses that I've been
hearing about. We see an important need for more and
better public transportation options like Cruise for
our clients. And I urge the Commission to please move
forward and approve the expansion of autonomous vehicle
service. Provided by companies like Cruise without further
delay. Thank you very much. I appreciate the time to
be able to share this with you. Thank you. Operator,
next caller please. Next caller (inaudible).
Hi. Uh, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay. Um, uh
commissioner, my name is Yoko Suzuki. I am a student
at University of San Francisco. Which has an arrange
uh, agreement to have a free ride with Cruise. I'm speaking
today for Cruise. My experience was very pleasant.
I felt very safe in the car and there were no hiccups
or programs. The ride was very smooth, comfortable
and efficient. I'm very impressed by the advanced technology
includes vehicles, especially in the San Francisco
I'm coming from Tokyo but the Tokyo doesn't accept
any, the new um the state of art technology. So San
Francisco should be the um the leader of the state
of art product. I would, I would be happy to use schools
in the future and to recommend it to others. I found
it very refreshing and enjoyable to ride in a driverless
car. And not have to worry about small talk or social
anxiety, talking to a driver. It is good to know that
if there is any problem, I can press the emergency
talk button and have my knees at rest. It is convenient
to talk to on the street.
I'd like to um, I'd like more people to have an opportunity
to experience cruises. Please accept the resolution.
Thank you.
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
Thank you. The next speaker is Andrea Bebanski.
Andrea Bebanski. Your line is open.
Good morning Commissioners. My name is Andrea Bebanski
I'm a renter in a multi-family property in La Mesa
California, East San Diego County. We do not have solar
and would like to but won't have that option if the
utilities have their way. Fully half of La Mesa residents
are renters like me who don't have rooftop solar. But
would like to and would like to contribute to reducing
carbon emissions in our state. The utilities proposal
is discriminatory. It would deprive multi-family housing
tenants like me of the ability to receive full savings
on our energy bills from the solar that our solar roofs
would produce. A benefit currently enjoyed by single
family homeowners with solar. I urge you to reject
the investor owned utilities proposal. And instead ensure
a viable virtual net energy metering successor tariff.
So renters like me can benefit from local renewable
and affordable energy from rooftop solar. This tariff
should at minimum include on site netting and a gradual
transition towards lower export rates. To ensure a reasonable
path for customers wishing to get solar. Please reject
this proposal. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next
caller, please.
Thank you. The next speaker is Stephanie Digman. Your
line is open.
Hello, thank you Commissioners. My name is Stephanie
Digman. I'm the Director of Business Development at the
Art San Francisco. Art San Francisco partners with adults
with developmental disabilities as they design their
futures and transform their communities through life
long learning and self determination. Our organization
supports increasing transportation options with a vehicles
and sees potential benefits for the community. We outlined
those things in our letters of support. However, we
are concerned about the lack of accessibility standards
set by the CPUC. The Art of San Francisco is appreciative
of the accessibility and inclusion work that has been
done up into this point. And we are excited to see
these practices continuing to be refined and implemented.
But we do not believe corporations should be responsible
for defining their own standards. As it could cause
inconsistencies between services. We urge the Commission
to set to set standards based on current accessibility
best practices as soon as possible. And then move forward
with expanding a vehicle in San Francisco, California.
Thank you for your time. Thank you. Operator, next
caller please. The next speaker is Tom White.
Hello. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Hi, my name is
Tom White. I'm the Associate Director of Building Performance
and Sustainability with Eden Housing based in Hayward,
California. Eden Housing is a non profit affordable
housing developer with more than 50 years of experience
in tackling affordable housing. From all angles. Eden
creates and sustains over 150 high quality affordable
housing communities across the state. That advance equity
and opportunity for all Californians. Eden owns and
operates over five megawatts of rooftop solar electricity
systemss at over 80 communities across the state. 1.5
megawatts of this power uses the V NEM tariff. To offset
multiple electricity meters for both the tenants and
owners on our dispersed arrays on low rise garden style
apartments, as well as on multi story buildings. We're
one of the largest installers of California's solar
and multi-family affordable housing also known as the
SOMA program. Which uses the V NEM to benefit tenants
property owners and contractors. And we have over two
megawatts of rooftop PV currently in service or under
construction. 24 properties using the SOMA in Center
program. Where as much as 60 to 100% of the energy generation
is used to offset the residents electricity usage. And
the estimated total tenant savings from the SOMA V
NEM tariff over in the next 20 years is in the
millions of dollars for Eden's low income residents.
V NEM is one of the best tools available to reduce
residents utility bills. Because it reduces directly
reduces their need to buy electricity from the utility.
And it gives multi-family rents greater access to local
clean energy that is in alignment with the state's
clean energy and equity goals. Eden Housing is committed
to the US Department of Energy's Better Climate Challenge.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in 10 years.
And we rely on the V NEM tariff to offset the cost of
electrifying our residents and common area HVAC and
water heating systems. In the existing portfolio without
a strong V NEM tariff that incentivizes solar energy deployment
owners and developers. Will not have a viable path to
recoup our investment costs. Thank you. Thank you.
Operator, next caller please.
Thank you. We will now be taking questions from the
Spanish call, one moment.
(inaudible)
No problem. Thank you. We'll just pause for a minute.
Thanks for everyone's patience.
Hello?
Hello? Operator, are we ready for the first caller?
Go ahead. Your line is unmuted.
Hello?
Yes.
Mute your Spanish.
Hello?
I am. Please go ahead. Please continue speaking. We
can hear you.
(speaking Spanish)
My name is Maricela Hawkiman.
Yes.
I would like to express my approval for Cruise.
I am with Local 87 and we would like to definitely
support them. Thank you very much. Thank you. Operator,
next caller please.
Operator, do we need to pause again for the Spanish
line?
Okay. We have the Spanish line, all done.
(speaking Spanish)
Okay, okay. (speaking Spanish)
Hello, my name is Judith Lavandera.
And I would like to express my support for Cruise. I
am with Local 87. We are ready to work
and help them.
I'm upset that twice, this vote has been rejected.
We're counting with your support for this vote.
Okay, thank you very much. Okay. Thank you. Operator, next
caller please.
The next speaker comes from Thomas Mets.
Hi, my name is Tom Mets and I live in San Francisco.
Where I am surrounded by these vehicles every day.
My objection is that the autonomous vehicle companies
violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. And do
not provide equitable access to people who use wheelchairs.
I learned only today that Waymo supposedly offers access
to wheelchair accessible vehicles. But to be honest
I do not believe it. I have seen hundreds of Waymo
vehicles and not a single one was wheelchair accessible.
Also according to Waymo, wheelchair user required to
call a dispatcher on the phone instead of just using
the app. If this is such a great idea, then why don't
all their customers request a ride this way. Why only
wheelchair users? The answer is obvious. Clearly wheelchair
accessible vehicles are not part of the regular fleet.
Are not equally available on a par with non accessible
vehicles and do not have the same geographical distribution.
Why are wheelchair users second class? Public transit
has huge limitations, but it is still the only option
where wheelchair users are treated equitably. Taxis
at least pretend to offer equal access. Although in
fact, when you try to request one wheelchair accessible
vehicles are always supposedly out of service. Uber
and Lyft do not even pretend they employ a legal fiction
to circumvent the Americans with Disabilities Act. Claiming
that they are software companies not transportation companies.
Waymo and Cruise did not even bother to employ illegal fiction.
They've been designed from the ground up to exclude
wheelchairs. And they cannot claim it's too costly,
all their cars are Jaguars. And yet California PUC permits
them to monetize our public roadways for private profit.
While providing second class access for someone with
a wheelchair. And by the way, we're at risk for having
these inequities entrenched. Because the autonomous
vehicle companies have stated in SEC filings. That their
aim is to drive public transit out of business. Thank
you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
Our next call comes from Paul Hue, your line is open.
Good morning Commissioners. My name is Paul Hong and I am
a renter of a multi-family unit in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
My unit does not have solar and my hope is to change
that. Like millions of other renters, my goal is to
buy a home in California and it's taken some time. Because
California has one of the highest prices at more than
$840,000. I'm speaking up today because I read about
the future of California. That does not make financial
sense for homeowners and landlords. And renters like
me, non-white and working class can't benefit from
using solar in California. Please reject the investor
owned utilities proposal. And instead ensure a viable
virtual, virtual net energy metering success for tariff.
So that people like me can benefit from local renewable
and energy or affordable energy from rooftop solar.
Such a tariff should at minimum include on-site netting
and a gradual transition toward lower export rates.
To ensure a reasonable glide path for customers wishing
to get solar. I ask that you consider how the utilities
proposal is discriminatory, discriminatory. To more
than 16 million renters and ask that you reject the
proposal. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller
please. Next is caller is Laurie Carrazo, your line is open.
Did you mean Barry Toronto?
Hello? Yes, sir. Yes sir, go ahead please. Oh, okay.
Yes, I'm Barry Toronto. I'm a taxi driver in San Francisco.
And what I don't understand is uh, what you have set
for you to vote on August 10, they're already
doing. They're already have proliferated all over the
city. They're at Pier 39, they're in the Castro, they're
at the nightclubs in South Market and at, and at Midway.
And we're talking about the autonomous vehicles both
Cruise and Waymo. I uh so, so they've already jumped
the gun and proliferated them everywhere. I urge you
to look at limiting the numbers on the streets, if going
to allow them to go 24/7. At least limit the numbers.
They, all they are doing is adding more cars to the
streets. Yes, in some sense, they may be safer for
the passengers and for pedestrians, but they are not
safer for the other users of the road. The question
is, is who's going to put the wheelchair in the vehicles?
We're talking about electric wheelchairs, we're talking
about ambulatory wheelchairs. As well as, as walkers
and pains and their shopping items and their, and their
and their luggage, etcetera. So there are drawbacks.
And the other part of it is that they don't recognize
all situations, instruction, emergency vehicles and
parades and other types of closed streets. I urge you
to not let this expand until the technology recognizes
all these situations. And does not interfere with the
other users of the road. Also, other people are attacking
the use of public transit. The public, the bus drivers
have trouble getting around them. They use the transit
lanes at times, they do not know how to pull over.
And I tried to get out of the cab stand at the
Castro but it was blocking my way. Why do they have
a right to prevent me from doing my job when they're
doing their job? So I urge you to please look at letting
the city dictate some of the conditions of operation.
Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
Our next call is comes from Noah Martinez. Your line
is open.
Noah Martinez, your line is open. Oh, okay. Um,
Hello Commission, I am Noah Martinez a high schooler part of
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Summer Academy.
Where it has been brought to my attention that the
upcoming Cruise AV expansion. Does not require AVs
to pull up the curbs when dropping off or picking up
riders. Which is not only incredibly unsafe for all
riders, but it's even more unsafe for those who are
disabled and visually impaired. And that's other general
accessibility requirements, such as requirements for
wheelchair access. I understand that the disabled community
are one of the most excited groups for AVs. And it is
because of that fact, the fact that this potentially
inaccessible and dangerous expansion can directly hurt
the communities. It could have otherwise greatly helped
is why I want to bring these factors to light before
any votes are casted. Thank you for your time. Thank
you. Operator, next caller please. Our next scholar
is uh Sheila uh, Devitt. Your line is open.
Hello, good afternoon.
Hello, we can hear you. Please proceed.
Thank you, Commissioners. My name is Sheila Devitt.
I am calling to oppose the expansion of Cruise and uh,
I am a driver who was involved in a collision with
an autonomous vehicle. I have no confidence in the
safety of autonomous vehicle devices. After the collision
that I experienced, I have a lasting fear and aversion
any time I see them on the road. Autonomous vehicles
have not made the roads safer for me. I have concerns
about the environmental considerations. It is said
that the only thing less sustainable than a single
occupancy vehicle is a zero occupancy vehicle. I see
these vehicles circling my neighborhood repeatedly
all night long. I have concerns about the expanding
privatization of transportation. I am much more interested
in long term holistic support of public transit options
than the ongoing privatization in this autonomous vehicle
industry. I have additional concerns about surveillance.
The autonomous vehicles are equipped with cameras that
are taking footage everywhere they go. And it doesn't
seem that there is any oversight of this surveillance.
I urge the Commission to consider additional oversight
and safety regulation before allowing expansion of
this industry. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next
caller please. Thank you. That's, I did not get
a name. Uh, please unmute your phone and,
and announce your name please.
Your line is open.
If you queued up for a question, we did not get your
name. Please unmute your phone and state your name
please.
Me, Kelly? Kelly Carol? We can hear you. Please begin
speaking.
Okay, off the cuff. I've been SF President for 12 years. I have
a small business, it's a sewing business. (inaudible)
so I don't have a car. I regularly walk, I take the
bus, I bicycle. And I've been privileged to have these
free rides from Waymo for about 6 weeks or so. Uh, as someone
who hasn't been driving a car for 20 years. And as the pedestrian
in the city who walks everywhere, they are fantastic.
And they are very clearly the future, this is the future.
This is coming, whether we vote on it in August or
not. So I have my full support for autonomous vehicles.
My only complaint
there are small little pods, for instance.
Someone who's been driving or riding rather around
in them. I've noticed that pedestrians don't seem to
mind and they very freely walk out in front of them
on crosswalks. It is very intuitive this technology.
It makes.
I have my full support behind this technology and I'm
excited to see it come.
Operator, did we lose the last speaker?
No, ma'am. His line is still connected. All right,
we're having trouble hearing.
All right, let's go to the next speaker.
Thank you.
The next call, we did not get your name. Uh, please
state your name. If you queued up for a question, please
unmute your phone and state your name please. Hello?
Go ahead, sir. Can you hear me? Yeah, my name is Abdul
Hakib Hadone.
I am a member of Local 87. I am calling to express
my support for Cruise to extend its service in San Francisco.
In Local 87 we are ready to work with Cruise to add
good jobs in San Francisco and community across California.
While providing life saving service, Cruise is helping
California remain home and remain the leader of ambition.
I am upset that the vote has been delayed twice. We
hope to count on your support for the exhibition and
that will be voted on August 10. Thank you. Thank
you. Operator, next caller please.
Our next caller, we also did not get your name. Your
line is open. If you queued up for a question, please
state your name at this time.
Hello?
Go ahead ma'am.
Hello, hello? Yes, hello we can hear you.
My name is Jan.
(speaking another language)
(speaking another language) You could have
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. And do we have interpretation of that last
caller? We don't. Okay.
Um, all right. Operator, next caller please.
Our next caller comes from Jeff Lerner. Your line is
open. Hello, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Great, um.
Thank you for taking my call. I'm calling because in
referring, referring to copper landlines. And I wanted
to ask that you protect these copper landlines which
are essential for many reasons. First, there's fire
safety. So living in a really fire prone area, I'm
not in an urban area. Where people probably feel a lot
safer. I'm in an area where cell towers go out and
electricity goes out constantly. Having these copper
landlines in an emergency is critical. Whether it's
a power outage, smoke from fires or a fire itself.
And that's really critical for us to have and it's
all the infrastructure is already there. So keeping
it alive should not be a problem. So we're asking you
to protect that and not take that out with AT&T.
The other thing I want to mention is EMF sensitivity.
Which if you've heard from a few other people on and
radio frequency sensitivity. A lot of people have this
it's an ADA recognized disability. As well as often
comes from Lyme disease or mold. Even if you're not
familiar with it or you don't experience it yourself.
There are many people who do. And what this essentially
means is the copper landlines are the lifeline for
the folks who have that. Even if you can use a VoIP
landline that also goes out when the power goes out.
So the copper landline is the only thing that keeps
people connected. Who don't want to leave a cell phone
on all day, all night or be glued to a cell phone
or use that technology for those who feel the effects
of that, that are really physically impaired. So that's
really essential to protect that. And lastly just wanted
to mention, like someone else said. I've also opted
out of having a smart meter. But it costs a lot of
money and not everyone can afford to do so. So, so
just wanted to mention that. On another note, it would
be great if there was not such a huge charge from PG&E.
And that the CPUC could oversee somehow to make
that a fair decision. So those who need to opt out
can afford to do so and that it's a choice that's neutral
rather than something that's forced on us. So similar
to that, asking to keep our copper landline, the infrastructure
is already there. And to protect that right for citizens
to have. Thank you so much. Thank you. And I did want
to note that we did not have real time translation
for the previous caller. But we all are getting that
comment translated. Um Operator, please uh go to the
next caller.
Our next call is Jim Johnson, your line is open.
Hello? Yes, we can hear you. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you. And again just to be clear,
we will be providing translation of these comments.
Operator, let's go to the next caller.
Our next caller is uh, comes from Cormac Mackay. Your
line is open.
Uh, thank you. Um thank you, President Reynolds and
Commissioners. Cormack McKay is my name and I'm an international
visitor to San Francisco. And supporter and user of
autonomous vehicles. The world is watching what is
happening here in San Francisco. With private car ownership
and luxury, many can no longer afford or actually want
to. Uh carsharing and ridesharing autonomous electric
on demand, door-to-door shared mobility is a more desirable
affordable and environmentally friendly option. Robo
taxis from Waymo and Cruise are very cautiously and responsibly
slowly proving themselves to be highly successful and
most importantly safe. This vital safety uh transport
technology has the potential to save millions of lives
and prevent life altering accidents from motor vehicle
accidents. Robotaxis should be allowed to continue
to improve mile by mile here in San Francisco. So it
can cautiously improve and learn from each unique scenario
here. And so that gained experience can be shared with
the whole fleet and then can be deployed to other cities
around the world. San Francisco needs to adapt and
make provisions for these deployments. Unfortunately,
there are many vested interests against robotaxi deployments.
Many in the media who are highly dependent on advertising
revenue coming from the motor industry. Have a vested
interest and are extremely negative towards robotaxi
deployments. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
(inaudible)
Go to the next caller.
Thank you, ma'am. I'm showing no further questions
at this time. Again, no further questions or comments
at this time. Okay. Can you check the line? We'll pause
a minute and just check to see if there's anyone else
in the queue waiting to speak.
Yes, ma'am. One moment.
Operator, just checking again to see if there's anyone
in the queue.
Uh, one moment we do have a question, uh a comment.
I believe the, the name is Alex. Hello?
Yes, we can hear you. Can you hear me? Yes, we can.
Hi. Uh, my name is Alex Marker. Research and Advocacy Director
for the San Francisco Electrical Construction Industry.
The Management Committee of IVW Local 6 and the San
Francisco Electrical Contractors Association. Calling
uh, to express our disappointment in the delay of, uh
of this vote. And to let the Commission know, that we have been
in extended discussions with Cruise. To ensure that all
of their electric, electric vehicles that the chargers
of all their electrical vehicles are installed with
EV certified trained electricians. Local, local workers
put people uh, uh put people to work programs. Uh,
keep our local contractors working and we look forward
to your voting on this at the next meeting. Thank you very
much. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
One moment for our next question uh, comment.
Our next comments comes from Navi Carrano.
All right, Operator. Did you want to call this caller
one more time or should we go to the next one?
Oh, it sounds like we're having trouble with our audio.
I think it's a technical problem. Let's just pause
for a moment again. Thanks everyone.
Go ahead. Okay. So can you, can you hear me in the
English line?
We can hear you. Okay, perfect. The commenter is Spanish,
one second.
(speaking Spanish)
Hi,
I'm in favor of Cruise.
I'm from Local 87.
(speaking Spanish)
That there will be an increase of jobs in San Francisco.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Operator, next caller please.
Operator, do we have any more callers in the queue?
I'm showing no further comments at this time. Once again,
if you would like to make a comment. Uh, please press
*1 on your phone. Please ensure that your line
is unmuted and record your name at the prompt. Okay,
we'll check one more time and then we're going to close
the uh, telephone line.
We do have, we do have a comment from George Ellis.
The line is open.
Hello, I would like to reiterate uh, what some prior
callers have said about the lack of wheelchair accessible,
wheelchair accessible vehicles. Um it, I think it's
a mistake for the Commission to not require that. I
also think it's a mistake for the Commission to not
require autonomous vehicles to drop off and pick up
on the curb. Um, that is a really bad situation, especially
for people with various kinds of uh, mobility disabilities
uh, that can endanger people. I understand that um, non-
autonomous vehicles uh, also do that. But that doesn't
mean that the Commission shouldn't require autonomous
vehicles to do that. Uh, just as a matter of safety
and accessibility. And the last point um, I think that
part of the reason that Cruise and Waymo want this vote
to go through as quickly as possible. Is so that they
would have to stop reporting their disengagement in
collision locations. As soon as they start collecting
passenger fares. Uh, which I think is also a mistake
for the Commission to have as part of its regulatory
regime. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right,
Operator. I, I understand we have one more person queued
up for with Spanish interpretation. Let's go to that
caller.
Yes, ma'am. One moment please.
(speaking Spanish)
We can hear you.
(speaking Spanish)
Ok, so. Hello, my name is Martha Cruz. I'm sorry, Martha
Chan. I am in favor of Cruise. They are helping San Francisco.
Uh, I'm actually with Local 87 and they are bringing
innovation and technology to the city. For those of
us who do not have or cannot obtain a driver's license.
We're able to travel with security. Thank you. Thank
you. Okay. Operator, just one wanted to confirm uh, that
that was the last caller that you have already queued
up. Is that correct? Um,
um ma'am? We do have another question from the Spanish
queue. Okay, let's take an additional comment.
(speaking Spanish) Miss Ortiz,
your line is open.
Hello?
Hello? Yes, please go ahead.
Hello. (speaking Spanish)
Miguela Ortiz.
(speaking Spanish)
Okay.
So my name is Maritella Ortiz. I am with Local 87. I
am actually in favor of Cruise. Um, Local 87 is ready
to work with Cruise and create more jobs in San Francisco.
And help the community in San Francisco. Cruise is at
the front of innovation. Uh, I'm also uh, disappointed
at this uh, measure being rejected twice and we do hope
that it passes on August 10. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay Operator, next caller please.
Your next caller comes from uh, Sydney Tran. Your
line is open. Hello. Um, my name is Sydney Tran. Uh, may
I begin?
Hello? Yes, we can hear you. Oh, perfect. Um, so my
name is Sydney. I'm a student at the University of
San Francisco. Uh I use Cruise as part of a free rights
partnership between the university. Um I support Cruise's
ability to expand across (inaudible). Um, I agree with everyone
in talking about how technology and innovation is really
important for the city. Um for me personally, the reason
why I support it. Is um, I had um, a research job
that was in Mission Bay. Uh, quite far away from Inner
Richmond. Um, and I would get off really late from work
around midnight. Um, and I didn't bring a car to the
city, so I used Cruise a lot to get back home safely.
Um, and my parents did not trust me even taking Uber
or taking the bus, because it was really dangerous at
night. And I did have a situation um, last year where
I did end up getting robbed um, when I took the bus
home. So Cruise was really important in ensuring my
safety. And so I hope that continues, um for students who
need to commute far and um, late at night.
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.
And next caller comes from Wayne Locke, your line is open.
Hi. Um, my name is Wayne Locke and I'm a members of Local 87.
I just want to call to uh, express my support for Cruise
to expand the service in San Francisco 24/7. Um, you know
my unit is ready to work with Cruise to add to jobs
to uh, in San Francisco and across in California. You know,
providing the life saving services. Um, Cruise is helping California
to remain the homes and remain the leader of the innovations.
Um I, I feel like I would be upset that the vote
has been delayed twice. But I just want to hopefully
that we will have that vote on August 10. And that's
just what I want to express. Thank you. Thank you. Operator,
next caller please.
I am showing no further comments at this time.
All right. Thank you to all the callers who um, called
in by telephone. Um, we do have one more additional
speaker here in the room. Um, so now I'll call on Elizabeth
Grigsby. And thank you very much, Miss Grigsby for your
patience and waiting through.
Thank you.
I, first of all,
I wanna say,
um,
technology
is good
when it works, and it's really bad when it doesn't. So
with Waymo and Cruise. It sounds good to
the I,
the (inaudible) why.
Well, I know technology. As you can see, I use electric
wheelchair. And when the stuff breaks down,
your
you're sol.
And my thing is
if somebody
is in a wheelchair and have
very little
or not at all
verbal
how can they tell the car where they need to go? And
I'm sorry, but
I, I'm, I'm born and raised in San Francisco. If you
want to help transportation be better.
Make
BARTs when it was (inaudible)
like the trains in New York. Make the cabs (inaudible)
expand to overnight. Give, give them more medallions.
But I don't think, I don't think Waymo
and Cruise really know what they're doing. And I went
I'm all about oh, getting around town and having (inaudible)
But I wouldn't trust
my life in the hands of Cruise or Waymo.
And I think I talk really pretty good.
But um yeah, for the long run
I wouldn't put on my eggs
in one basket, if you will. It's not safe, and I think
the city would have more problems than its worth.
Thank you. Thank you very much for your comment.
01.
All right. Um, with no more speakers on the telephone
line and no more speakers in the room. The public comment
period is now closed.
I will now turn to the Public Agenda, and I'm gonna
start by reading the changes to today's Agenda. Items
2, 3 and 12 are held to the August 10, 2023 Voting
meeting. Item 10 has been moved to the Regular Agenda.
Items 1 and 20 have been withdrawn. So with that,
I will now take up the Consent Agenda. Is there a motion
on the Consent Agenda?
So moved. Motion by Commissioner Reynolds. Is there
a second?
I'll second. Okay, we have a second by Commissioner Houck.
Agenda Clerk, could you please call the roll? Commissioner Douglas? Aye.
Commissioner John Reynolds? Yes. Commissioner Houck? Yes. Commissioner
Shiroma? Aye. President Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote is 5-0. The
Consent Agenda has been approved. I'll now go to Item
10 on the Regular Agenda. Item 10 is consideration
of Resolution M-4868. Which approves the equity and
access grant program and provides funds to provide
technical assistance and capacity building for all
California Native American tribes and community based
organizations. Um, I'm going to turn to Executive Director
Rachel Peterson to introduce this Item. Ms. Peterson?
Uh good morning, President Reynolds and Commissioners.
Thank you very much for the opportunity uh, to be here
today with you, and to present. Um, I actually want to
start first with an apology to you Commissioners, and
to everyone in the room, and to the callers on the line.
Today as you started the meeting, President Reynolds.
You noted that public participation is very important
to us. And um, the level of service that we received
from our Verizon Business Operator today uh, for the
callers on the line did not meet expectations. So I
do apologize for that. And I've already directed Senior
Leadership in the Commission to look at improving that
level of service. So that public participation goes
better next time. Thank you. Thank you. On a more positive
note, I'm really, really happy to um, be part of presenting
this Item to you today. This is the Commission's first
ever grant program. It is fully directed at um, community
based organizations who work with disadvantaged, low-
income and environmental justice communities, as well
as Tribes. Um at the heart of this program, which is
funded by um, was funded by the Legislature last year
is equity. Essentially, we're looking to assist community
based organizations and Tribes. With building their
own capacity and building the capacity in their communities
to participate more in our proceedings. Um, be part
of the clean energy future that we're all working towards.
And really bring equity um, into the heart of what we
do here at the Commission. Ready to present today's
program is Stephanie Green from our News and Outreach
Division. Wo's been lead in designing and implementing
the program. Stephanie?
For the slide.
Okay. To get the volume right. Hello, can everyone hear
me okay? And I'm just gonna check the clicker here.
Yep, that works. All right. We're ready to go. Thank
you for having me today. It's my pleasure to introduce
and tell you about the Equity and Access Grant Program.
By the way of background, in 2022 through the Act, through
the Budget Act of 2022. Uh the California Legislature
appropriated $30 million for capacity grants to Tribes
and CBOs to participate in CPUC decision making processes.
And to make certain clean energy programs are accessible
to underserved and underrepresented communities. And
the program I'm presenting today, the Equity and Access
Grant Program was created to implement that Legislation.
Yeah, now there are 3 grant accounts that make
up the program: Public Participation Grant, and Equity
Engagement and Education Grant and a Clean Energy Access
Grant. And I'll be going into detail on all of those
grant accounts. Now as we designed the program, we
wanted to ensure that the program would meet the needs
of CBOs and Tribes and we did a lot of stakeholdering.
We held focus groups, we interviewed with community
stakeholders. We held, we received public comment,
we held a webinar with over 200 attendees. And we spoke
with state agencies and boards, as well as many of the
divisions here in the CPUC. And I will note, that the
grant funding can be awarded up until June 30 of
25. And but it must be spent or liquidated by June 30,
2027.
This is a brief summary of the funding across the three
accounts. I'll be going into detail on all of them.
But I would like to highlight two things. One, there's
a $3 million Tribal reserve and two, we kept the administrative
cost to a minimal at 5%. And I'll note, that the Public
Participation Grant is 11% of the funds. Equity Engagement
is 34% and the Clean Energy Access is 55% of the funds.
Our first grant account is the Public Participation
Grant.
This grant is our smallest grant at
$3,100,000. A Tribal reserve of $300,000 and a funding
cap of $15,000 per organization. We expect to begin
accepting applications at the end of the Summer on
September 8. And I will note, for this grant as well
as the other grants. Tribal applicants are eligible
to apply for both the Tribal reserve and general funds.
This grant is for immediate discrete activities with
the Commission such as a panelist, a speaker, a focus
group, serving on an advisory board or a working group.
And we have capped the grant at $15,000 per organization,
because we wanted to make sure that there was a proportional
distribution um over time and across the organizations.
We have streamlined the application, because we wanted
to make sure that grant payments could be dispersed
in a timely fashion, upon completion of project activities.
And I will also note that uh, those organizations that
have applied for intervener compensation may be eligible
for this grant as well. Our second grant type is the
Equity, Engagement and Education Grant.
This is our second largest of the grant types that
comes in at $9,750,000, with a Tribal reserve of $750,000.
The maximum grant award is $200,000. We hope to open
up the application cycle on September 8. And that
the second cycle would be Summer or excuse me, Spring
of 2024.
Now these grants are up to $200,000 and they are intended
to ensure that CBOs and Tribes have the capacity for
sustained engagement with the CPUC decision making.
And some of the activities that may, may be included
in this category are community engagement and outreach
related to our proceedings. Hiring a consultant or
staff to be able to participate in our decision making.
Uh, creating education training and curriculum programs.
Um, and also partnership and coalition development to
generate awareness around our programs.
The third grant type is our Clean Energy Access Grant.
Now this grant type is our largest of the programs.
It comes in at $13,700,000. Uh $1 million,
million, $1,950,000 for a Tribal reserve and the maximum
grant amount is $500,000. Our first applications we're
hoping to have ready by early 2024. We're aiming for
January and our second applications would be ready
for the December of 2024.
These grants are tended to increase CBOs and Tribes
access to Clean Energy Programs. And for the purpose
of this grant, we are really focused on three programs:
the Microgrid Incentive Program, the Self-Generation
Incentive Program and TECH or the Technology Equipment
and Clean Heating Initiative. Now some of the
potential projects for this type of grant could be
conducting outreach to gather the information to design
a microgrid program. Hiring a technical assistant
to get a developer for your microgrid program. Uh,
getting a resource to help promote SGIP incentives.
To get a better enrollment in helping a disadvantaged
community develop ways to use the TECH program. To increase
building decarbonization. Now this grant is really
intended for planning. It's not to be used to fund
the build out of these projects. So it's not for hardware
or equipment. Again, it's to facilitate planning of
projects. And I will note, that eligible projects do
need to be in an investor-owned utility service territory.
Now because of the complexity of some of our Clean,
Clean Energy Programs. The program intends to have
a Clean Energy subject matter expert. And this, this
resource would be available to Tribes and CBOs. To help
them with applications, to answer questions about the
clean energy programs. And the SME would, would provide
technical assistance based on the needs of our Tribes
and CBOs. So that's going to be an excellent resource.
And finally, in terms of being eligible to apply for
these grants. Uh, there are three grant type, three
categories. You need to be California tax exempt, um
501C or a federally, a non-federally recognized Tribe
or a Tribal entity.
And I'd love to highlight some of our upcoming milestones.
Our Public Grant application webinar should be on August
9. And again, we're hoping to open up the Public
Participation and the Equity, Engagement and Education Grant
applications on September 8. And we, we're looking
to have our Clean Energy Access Grant applications
open in early 2024. Um I, we're aiming for January.
And with that, that concludes my brief overview. I
would be remiss if I uh, don't thank all of my team
who worked hard on this project. Uh Asia Powell, Hope
Chrisman, Chris Moore, Hacie Torres, Hector Corral. And I'd
love to thank Legal, uh Sara Thomas and Margie Lazado.
Are also really instrumental in helping us get this
over the finish line. So thank you um, my team and we're
all very excited and I appreciate your time today.
Thank you very much, Stephanie. Um, this is very exciting.
This is an exciting resolution. I am pleased to support
it. Um, I'll just emphasize a couple of points that
was a really great comprehensive presentation. Um, and
then after that, I'll turn to my fellow Commissioners
for comments. Um, one thing I wanted to say is that.
Um this program is, it's obviously new and it's unique
in a couple of ways. One is that it's being funded
by uh, State Budget General Fund money. Um not, it won't
be charged through utility bills. So that gives us
a progressive way to subsidize this critical engagement.
By stakeholders who have traditionally been underrepresented,
so that's the first point. The second point is the
the way that this is designed is, is very comprehensive.
So Stephanie defined it described the three pathways
which makes it broad, and I think in my mind unique
too. So we have lots of options here. We have the Public
Participation option. Which is where what I think about
is it's for a specific event or group, a working group.
So kind of almost like a one time, although a group
can have several engagements. Um and these are smaller
grants. And so they're designed to get a wider range
of voices and allow people to show up and have a seat
at the table. Help educate us and inform policy. Um,
the second category is the longer term capacity building
at Tribes and CBOs. And so really having that ongoing
to support. To build capacity, to be able to participate
um, in a uh a more meaningful way. And, and to fill
a gap, I think. That we've heard about for a long time
from CBOs and Tribes. And then the third category,
um you know, I think about is program access. So how
do we make sure that we're getting. Making sure our
programs the work the way they want them to do at the
implementation phase. And so this will provide CBOs
and Tribes with the ability to really get into communities.
And make sure that communities are able to access the
programs that are available to them. Um, so just taking
together, I think these um these options provide great
avenues for engagement. Um I'm really looking forward
to seeing the first batch of applications. And I think
you know, like everything we do. We can learn from
this. Um, and I will, you know, of course, always try
to get better. But um, the way that this program has
been designed is really innovative. And again, I'm
just so pleased to support it. I wanted to thank you
Stephanie and also all the team members that you named
individually. I know that they have all had uh, a big
um, uh contribution uh, to the work that we see here
today. So thank you to everyone. All right, I'll turn
to my other Commissioners to comment. Who would like
to go first? Commissioner Houck? Thank you, President
Reynolds. And I want to also join in thanking um, Stephanie
Green and her team, as well as Sarah Thomas in Legal.
And I really want to recognize the work that Stephanie
has done and it. It wasn't obvious from the presentation,
but she's been working on this for a couple of years.
There was a number of um, working groups with CBOs
to talk about how we can fill this gap on. Um, work
that's not party related that it's covered under ICOM
but is really.
Needed to engage communities to be able to benefit
from the programs that we have. And there was a lot
of hours that went into this over the last couple of
years in meeting with lots of different groups. So
I just want to recognize all of that work. That um, went
into where we ended up with the Legislature. Recognizing
that we needed something more to help fill those gaps
and engage communities. Especially disadvantaged communities
and Tribes to ensure that they're benefiting from these
programs that we're putting together. That we were
seeing gaps in, in the funding, not getting where it
needed to. And this, these grants are intended to do
that. So I just really wanted to thank Stephanie and
her team over the years for all of the work that helped
accumulate in this program. Um, and I think it's just
really important as President Reynolds noted. This program
is different than ICOM, it's different than party status
and it's direct community engagement. Where it's gonna
help facilitate funding. And, and bridge the gap between
some of the CBOs that have engaged over the last several
years. And learning our process, um which isn't always
easy. And translating that into how it can um, the programs
and the work that we do are really able to help communities
on the ground. And so I'm really excited to watch, um
and see where the applications come from. And how this
program can really work to engage communities directly.
Um I also am pleased to, to see the increased amount
for the Tribal set aside. Um, Tribes have disproportionately
been impacted by um, power outages and other limited
resources. In regards to um, being able to have access
to clean energy. So hopefully this will help with capacity
building with Tribal communities. And I also um, was
happy to see clarification based on comments we received.
Uh that, that clarifies that this is not to replace
ICOM. Um, it's not to duplicate it or double count payment.
But, um it's to serve a different purpose and, and recognize
that. But also assure people that our parties that contributions
to proceedings formally are also still going to be
addressed in ICOM. And so with that again, I also um
again I, I'm gonna be watching the program. Looking
forward to seeing the applications. Thank everyone
who worked on it and will be supporting the resolution.
Thank you. I'll look this way. Comments? Commissioner
Shiroma? Thank you. Thank you, Stephanie and to your
team. Uh, and for uh providing uh a briefing from my
office uh, in advance. Uh you know, for several years
now, the Commission has been pressing and requiring
the utilities to form a greater partnerships with uh
community based organizations. Uh and uh have, has
recognized the importance of the Commission. Also, uh
having that opportunity to strengthen our working relationships
with the community based organizations. Which are oftentimes
the trusted interface for underserved and under represented
communities. Uh, so this program is really um, uh very
uh satisfying to see. That they can have it come to
fruition and the recognition by the Legislature and
the Governor of the importance of this work uh, for
uh the CPUC. Uh, as the assigned Commissioner for Energy
Efficiency and Microgrids. And I'm very gratified
to see that the grant program, uh will help support
the Microgrid Incentive Program. Uh you know, providing
that funding for uh, technical assistance uh for the
you know, the really complicated kinds of things as
far as designs. Uh, how do you navigate putting together
the application? We're talking about, you know um, uh
uh electricity, uh and the interconnections and design
and all of that. Those tools aren't necessarily really
available uh to, uh communities uh and Tribal communities.
So uh this, this will really help to provide that
support. Uh, and it also advances the Commission's commitment
to our environmental and social justice action plan.
Uh supporting ongoing equity initiatives and increasing
that engagement for clean energy programs. Uh, uh so
again, thank you. I'm looking forward to supporting
this uh, uh and voting on this. Thank you again. Thanks
Commissioner Shiroma. Commissioner Reynolds? Thank you,
President Reynolds. And thank you, Stephanie for the
presentation. This is a program that my office and
I have been following closely for quite some time as
the implementation has developed. And I'm really excited
to see this resolution before us today. I'm delighted
to see such a thoughtful resolution providing the framework
that's necessary to allocate this, uh this program's
grants to Tribes and community based organizations.
From the $30 million appropriated by Assembly Bill
179. Uh, Stephanie and team have worked diligently
to conduct outreach and implement feedback to develop
the program. Ensuring that the goals of AB179 are
met. Public Participation Grant will implement the
provision of AB179 calling for greater participation
by CBOs and Tribes in our decision making process.
The Equity, Engagement and Education Grant will implement
the provision regarding entities conducting outreach
and obtaining technical assistance for participation
in our decision making process. And the Clean Energy
and Access Grant has already been described. As designed
to create greater access to our clean energy programs
in underserved communities. These three grants aim
to reach different communities across California. So
that the goals of both the Bill and as Commissioner
Shiroma mentioned, our environmental, social justice
and social justice action plan are realized. I appreciate
that the resolution encourages applicants to provide
feedback to the Commission throughout their process.
To ensure that any programmatic issues are addressed.
And I would like to offer a large thank you to Stephanie
Green, Chris Moore, Asia Powell, Jesus Torres, Hope
Chrisman, Hector Corral and Sarah Thomas from our Legal
Division. For their hard work and attention to detail
on the resolution before us. I additionally would like
to thank my Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor, Suzanne
Casazza. And my Advisor, Sasha Goldberg for keeping me apprised
of this program as it's moved along. I will be supporting
this item. Thank you. Commissioner Douglas? Thank you,
President Reynolds. I'd also like to speak in support
of this program. I'm excited about it. I want to thank
my colleagues for your good work on this program. As
well as Stephanie Green and, and the Staff and Legal
team. Um and, and I will just be very brief. But I,
I can see um, in my relatively short time here still.
The complexity and length of our proceedings and, and
I can very much see the challenges for more um, grassroots
groups or, or groups that organizations that just don't
have a lot of familiarity with our processes. I think
it's a pretty um steep learning curve. And anything
we can do to enable a, a broader participation in the
really critical issues that come before us will be
beneficial. And so I'm, I'm in strong support of this
and, and I'm very uh I'm looking forward to voting
for it. All right, thank you. All right. Um well, that concludes
Commissioner comments. So now I would like to ask for
a motion on Item 10.
I move that we support Item 10. Okay. We have a motion
from Commissioner Houck. Do we have a second? I'll second
the motion. Second from Commissioner Shiroma. Agenda Clerk, could
you please call the roll? Commissioner Douglas? Aye. Commissioner
John Reynolds? Yes. Commissioner Houck? Yes. Commissioner Shiroma? Aye. President
Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote is 5-0. The motion passes.
I will now move to Item 28. Uh, Item 28 is Management
Report on Administrative Actions and Consumer Protection
and Safety Activities. Uh, today we have two updates.
And, uh the first update is from uh, Acting Chief ALJ
Michelle Cooke. So I will now turn to you, uh AC Cooke,
please go ahead. Thank you. Um, today I am pleased to
introduce our Interns for the Summer. Um, I'm especially
happy to introduce Interns, because I first came to
the Commission as an Intern in 1989. Uh, and I have
been here ever since apparently. Uh, so uh our Interns
are all sitting in the back row. And I'm gonna ask them
to stand up, uh when I read uh, a brief uh bio
for each of them.
Um so, uh the first person I want to introduce is Janey
Davis. She is a rising QL at UC Law-San Francisco.
She is originally from Northern Virginia but has been
a resident of the Bay Area for almost 10 years now.
Prior to attending Law School, she served in the United
States Coast Guard. Where she was given the opportunity
to uh, serve both locally and internationally. Those
experiences are what led her to the Law, and more particularly
within the Environmental sector in her spare time.
She loves to explore the outdoors and occasionally
dabble in some experimental baking.
Um our next Intern is Alyssa Mendoza, who is a rising
3rd year student at Golden Gate University School
of Law. She is from the heart of the Central Valley
and came to Law School with her community in mind.
She enjoys investigating and drafting legal documents
that analyze city planning decisions concerning California
Land Use Law. During her time in the ALJ Division,
she hopes to better familiarize herself with California
Water Law and gain a foundational understanding of
alternative dispute resolution. After Law School, she
would like to utilize her Law Degree to safeguard Californians
from systemic environmental harms.
Uh Our next Intern is Annie Rudkrishna, who is a rising
2L scholar at the David J Epstein Program in Public
Interest Law and Policy at the University of California-
Los Angeles School of Law.
He is specializing in Environmental Law. He previously
earned a Doctorate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
at the University of California-Irvine. With a focus
on adapting human infrastructure to climate change.
His earlier work involved collaborative projects with
the California Energy Commission, the U.S. Department
of Energy and other state and private entities. As a
future Environmental Lawyer, he aims to tackle global
warming. By facilitating a smooth transition to renewable
technologies for corporations. While also enabling ease
of access for all individuals who share a common stake
in the world's future.
Our next Intern is Ning Su, who is a recent graduate
from Stanford Law School with a Masters in Environmental
Law and Policy. She is licensed to practice Law in
Taiwan for about 3 years. Her primary focus was
on handling legal matters pertaining to utility scale
renewable energy projects. Specifically involving the
development, acquisition and financing of solar and
offshore wind farms in Taiwan. Ning also holds a Masters
Degree in Intellectual Property Law. Beyond Law, Ning
enjoys hiking and photography. And our final Intern
is Daniella Bravo, Braverman.
Sorry if I messed that up. Um, who is a rising 2nd
year undergraduate student at the University of California-
Los Angeles. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, she
has been immersed in an environment, environment of
innovation and tech. Which has fostered her persistent
passion for learning a wide range of skills. Daniella
has also has a strong enthusiasm for writing and aspires
to practice Law and serve marginalized communities.
She strongly believes in the potential of legal advocacy
and its capacity to create positive change. So, welcome
to our ALJ Division Interns. Thank you.
Thank you and welcome everyone. Really nice to hear
a little bit about your backgrounds. Um, now I'm going
to turn to uh, Christine Hammond, our General Counsel.
Um Christine? Thank you, President Reynolds. President
Reynolds and Commissioners. I am happy to introduce
Legal Divisions 6 Interns this Summer. I'm going
to ask them to similarly stand up, um while I introduce
them. The first is Megan Connor. Megan is a rising
2L at UC Berkeley School of Law. Where she focuses
on Environmental and Energy Law. She received 2 BAs
from UC Berkeley in English and Environmental Economics
and Policy. During Undergrad, Megan worked for a variety
of sustainability oriented internships. Including the
California Institute for Energy and the Environment,
a carbon sequestration startup and an environmental
litigation practice. Prior to Law School, Megan worked
for 3 years as an Environmental Consultant in New
York City. Conducting ESJ, ESG Environmental Social Governance
due diligence in M&A transactions. In industries
such as railroads, energy transmission line planning.
Subsea telecommunications cable infrastructure,
and renewable and non-renewable energy developments.
Adam David.
Thanks Adam is a rising 2L at UC Berkeley School
of Law where he focuses on energy and the environment.
Adam received his Bachelor's in Sociology from the
University of Chicago. As a U Chicago College Summer
Institute Scholar. He interned at the YCMA of Metro
Chicago and conducted archival research on Ho Bohemia
in 20th century Chicago, which is also his hometown.
Prior to Law School, Adam spent 3 years as a Paralegal
with the Chicago law firm. Litigating matters in credit
reporting, debt collection rights, student loan servicing
and other consumer protection issues. Alexis Legaspi
is a rising 3L at Santa Clara University School
of Law. Where she focuses on International human, Humanitarian
Law and International Human Rights. She received her
Bachelor's in International Relations from Gonzaga
University. After which she served in the Peace Corps
as a Rural Community Health Volunteer. And coordinated
a national Malaria program. Last Summer, she entered
with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Africa
Office in Ghana. Where she focused on access to information
freedom of expression and access to justice. Last academic
year, Alexis studied Energy Resource Law. And authored
a paper on the impact of Ghana's power purchase agreements.
On the development of the Energy Sector and the Energy
Justice Nexus.
Maleah Libby
is a rising 2L at Berkeley Law. Where she focuses
on energy and the environment. Malia received her Bachelor's
degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University
and Minored in Environmental Engineering and Religion.
During her Summer breaks of Undergrad, she researched
energy storage and carbon conversion technologies. And
interned at a liquefied natural gas processing plant.
Prior to Law School, Maleah spent 2 years at environmental
nonprofits as a campaign associate and canvas director.
Where she worked on poll monitor conservation and, pollinator
conservation. Excuse me, pollinator conservation and
plastics production.
Um, Alisa Rivas
is a rising 3L at the University of San Francisco
School of Law. Where she focuses on Energy and Tribal
sovereignty. Alisa received her Bachelor's in International
Relations from San Francisco State University. During
her 2L, she served as Co-Chair for a panel at the
2023 California Water Law Symposium. Which focuses on
California Tribal water rights and endangered species.
Alisa is here at, at the Commission as a California
Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section Fellow.
Um, Mansa Kaung is unable to join us today. Um, I do
want to um introduce her nevertheless. As a, she's
a rising Senior at Wesleyan University, a private liberal
arts college in Middletown, Connecticut. She is currently
pursuing a Bachelor's degree with a double Major in
Psychology and Government. Last summer, Mansa spent
her Summer breaks completing a Criminal Law Internship
in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Defenders
Office.
An experience that deeply influenced her aspiration
to pursue a legal career and attend Law School in the
future. Throughout her Undergraduate journey, Mansa
was a researcher for a psycho, Psychology professor
in the field of Forensics. So um, please join me in
welcoming Legal Division's 6 Interns.
Wonderful. Thank you for the introductions and I just
want to note. It is really an incredible um, wealth of
experience that all of the Interns bring to us this
Summer. So thank you very much for joining. Um, I hope
that your Summers are fulfilling and I hope that someday
you'll consider coming to work for the PUC. And who
knows, maybe you'll stay as long as Michelle did.
So welcome everyone. All right. Um, now we're going
to turn to Commissioner Reports. Uh, let's see who would
like to go first. Commissioner Douglas? Um, well thank
you, President Reynolds. And I'll say before the Interns
leave the room. Um, I see they're almost on their way
or the ALJ interns are. Um but, but it's been. I
had the opportunity to participate in, in the Summer
brown bag for both groups of interns. And I really
enjoyed um, talking to them and having the opportunity
to have some back and forth. And, and the questions
they asked and, and you know the, the goals. And,
and interest that they expressed were both um, both
just fun to engage with. And, and, you know sometimes
inspirational to those of us who have been doing this
for a long time. And sometimes need that infusion of
energy that um, uh the students bring to us. So I wanna
just welcome all of you again in-person and thank you
for your work here with the PUC this Summer. And um,
I think the only other report that I have is that I
had my Confirmation Hearing yesterday at the Senate
Rules Committee. And um I'd like to um, express my great
appreciation to everybody who helped me with the responses
to the questions that the Rules Committee asked. And
the Staff asked at various points in the process and
and, uh you know. Just looking around the room certainly,
uh Christine in Legal. And, Rachel and Leuwam in Energy
Division. And, and there were questions on the Safety
and the Communication side. And, and really across the
organization. And just making sure that, you know, I
have my perspective on, on everything that I was asked
about. But grounding that in the work that the PUC does
and has done. And, and um, going back and forth and
getting the facts and getting the background. And, and
really doing the work and the iterative work to get
the response is where I wanted them and, and to get
me prepared for that conversation. What it took a lot
of time and it took a lot of effort. And I just
wanna thank the, thank everybody for helping.
The um, quality and professionalism and quick turnaround
on, on those responses. Um, I think I'll also just say
that um while, you know, the confirmation process is
a lot of work. And it's, you know, um you know, never
something that one takes for granted. It, it's also
I've always found it a valuable process too. Um, reviewing
the questions kind of really digging into the different
high priority initiatives and areas of work. Um, that
we're doing um, meeting with rules committee members.
And, and just having those conversations about what
they think is important and the questions that they
ask and, and the perspective and lens that, you know
all, all different from the different members. That
they bring um is, you know, was and always has been
a learning experience for me. And so I uh, definitely
value the back and forth I had with them and, and appreciate
it. So um, those are that's my update. Thank you.
Well, I'll just say congratulations for getting through
the Rules Committee um, well deserved, uh vote there.
Commissioner Douglas, yeah.
Um, all right. Let's uh, why don't I start down here.
Commissioner Reynolds. No, report from me this week.
Thank you. All right. And congratulations, Commissioner Douglas.
Thank you. Commissioner Houck? Yes congratulations, Commissioner
Douglas. Well deserved. Um, and it's just great to be
back here and in-person meetings. I know it may seem
daunting sometimes, especially coming up from Sacramento.
But it is really good to see people in-person and to
see so many people that are in the room today that,
um wanted to be here. Especially looking at our Staff
and, um members of the public. So it's been great to
engage and see people in-person that, um I don't think
seen for months. So, um it again just, um good to be
back in-person, um and welcome to the Interns. Um, I
think the ALJ Interns left. But um, it'd be great to
connect at some point in the Summer. So I would, I
you know, we'll be up. I'll plan to be in San Francisco
at least a couple of times and would put an invitation
out to ALJ and Legal to do a brown bag lunch
or something. So please contact my office, if that's
something that will work. Um, just a couple of items.
One, the uh FERC/NARUC task force is gonna be this Sunday. So
um, we'll be meeting at 10. Um, Commissioners from
across the country will be meeting with the FERC Commissioners
um, on Sunday to talk about um, grid enhancing technology.
Um, so I'll be reporting back at our next meeting on
how that, that went. Um, I will also be speaking at
the American Indian Chamber of Commerce Expo um in
Agua Caliente next week. And we'll, um talking about
our GO156 and highlighting that. So, um and then
last. I just wanted to really commend um, Staff and
the Communications Division again for the heavy lift
on the BEAD proceeding. And all of the consultations
the uh, 4th Tribal consultation was this week virtually.
And I wanna thank um, everyone that participated in
that. Um, and then Staff again for all of their work.
It was a tremendous effort to do the outreach. Um, and
they're working this week on getting our 5 year
plan ready for release for public comment. Which is
also a heavy lift. So just wanted to recognize all
of that work. And then the last item I wanted to touch
on which um, makes me very sad. Is um, one of my
Advisors, um Adam Buchholz will be leaving my office at
uh, first week of August before our next voting meeting.
And I just wanted to really acknowledge all of his
dedication and hard work. He is truly a public servant
and has stepped up in so many ways in my office. And
I'm gonna try not to cry. Um, he really has just gone
above and beyond. Um, he understands rates and numbers,
and he's kind and can translate it socially. And work
with people really well. And he's just done such a
tremendous job when Eileen left the office earlier
this year. He picked up a lot of her work in Communications,
which is an area he has never worked in before. On
top of all of his other work with polar and um, voided
cost calculator, and affordability, and the same for
rate case. And just, he's been doing so much and then
he took on the heavy lift of working on our loan loss
reserve program. And um, I just really want to thank
him for all of his great, amazing work. And hope he's
gonna be traveling and taking um, some time off and
then maybe while he's gone, he'll reconsider. Um but
um, we will really, really, really miss Adam. He's
just, I cannot um, say enough about how much he's
done for my office. And the work that we've had and
I. Hope we stay in contact and that he doesn't go very
far, but we will really miss you, Adam.
And that's. Thank you. Commissioner Shiroma? Thank you
uh, President Reynolds. I have several items to report
on. But first of all congratulations, Commissioner
Douglas. You deserved, earned, kudos. It's a major thing
to, to garner the Rules Committee uh, vote and confidence.
Uh, and then uh, Commissioner Houck. I also want to
say thank you to Adam and all the work in our BK
partnerships. Got, had gotten a chance to work closely
with him. So I forgot efficiency, energy efficiency,
affordability and so forth. Uh, all the best and, and
come back.
Uh okay. So uh, earlier this week July 11. I attended
the North Coast Resiliency Initiative Workshop or NCRI workshop.
This uh, NCRI initiative uh, brought together state
energy agencies, local government representatives and
Pacific Gas and Electric. To determine the causes of
electric resiliency challenges experienced in California's
North Coast. That area has experienced large swath
of public safety power shut offs uh, particularly in
2019. And the initiative participants included the
CPUC, Energy Commission, the CAISO, Pacific Gas & Electric,
MCE and Sonoma Clean Energy. And the effort was facilitated
by grid works. The participants spent several years
learning alongside one another. Working collaboratively
to uh, reach agreement on cost effective uh, solutions.
To reduce the risk of future, future PSPS events in
that North Coast region at the transmission level.
And because of improved modeling repairs to transmission
assets, the transmission level PSPS events in the
North Coast are expected to decrease by 80%. Compared
to what was expected back in 2020. The initiative produced
a methodical four step problem solving framework that
others can use. When approaching similar electric resiliency
challenges that require cooperation across organizations.
The initiative will continue to identify improvements
on how PG&E and others model and mitigate grid
risks. Especially as climate change produces hotter,
drier conditions throughout the state. And we are heading
into one of those this well, tomorrow. If not today,
and through the weekend. Uh, I'm gonna thank the CPUC
Staff for helping to organize that webinar. In particular,
the Energy Division, Utilities Engineers, Daniel Tutt
Patrick Saxton. The Microgrid Team Supervisor, Jason
Ortego. And Safety and Enforcement Policy Division Deputy
Executive Director, Forest Kaser. Who was previously the Supervisor
of the Microgrid and Resiliency Team. I also want to share that on July
26th, also part of the Microgrid, uh Team effort. There
will be a Resiliency Workshop uh, from 10 to 11. Uh,
it'll be in the daily calendar. A Southern California
Edison Company and Sandia National Laboratories will
will present their pilot project designed to optimize
equitable resilience strategies. Sandia National Labs
is a multidisciplinary laboratory known for addressing
complex issues facing the U.S. Uh, they developed the
resiliency node cluster analysis tool or um
the CUC has so many complicated nomenclature and, and
acronyms. But anyway, what this does is it analyzes
geographical areas for optional for, um optimizing microgrid
placement. While minimizing investment costs, you
know, looking at both of those geography and costs.
Uh, Sandia will apply Edison's data to develop a social
burden index which quantifies how hard people work
to get their basic needs met during electric outages.
And, uh the rent tool uh, will be used to look at
how can Edison optimize mitigation measures whether
it's micro grids uh or other uh um uh um tools to
improve the social burden index. Here again, I want
to thank the Energy Division Staff. For their work
on this pilot, particularly Rosanne Ratkiewich, Julian Enis. Again,
Jason Ortego, Matt Caldwell, Simon Baker and Executive
uh, Deputy Director Leuwam Tesfai. And then my last report
is on EPIC. Uh I wanna, I want to announce that the
Strategic Goals Kickoff Workshop for the Electric Program
Investment Charge or EPIC Program. Is going to be scheduled
for the second week of August. Here, uh at the San Francisco
uh, CPUC headquarters. Uh, look for the specific date
in the daily calendar. It hasn't been pinned down yet,
but is anticipated for that second week of August.
And we ordered this effort in our April EPIC decision.
The workshop will launch a series of workshops over
the next two months, uh moderated by the Commission
Coordinated Policy and Innovation Coordination group.
These workshops will bring together Commission Staff,
the EPIC Administrators in the research community. Uh,
stakeholders to identify Commission policy goals in
a range of electric utility oriented topics. That can
be informed by the rate, para funded research and development.
Uh, the kickoff workshop will introduce objectives
for this process. Uh, to level set topic areas by building
off results of the previous uh PICG processes. And
uh, help the Commission uh and the Administrators uh,
really pin down a process for develop, for developing
the research and development road map. To impact market
transformation and accelerate innovation to address
the state's critical energy uh issues. The EPIC program
is a $185 billion annual program. Uh to develop new
and emergent and emerging and prem commercialized clean
energy innovations in California. All geared towards
equitable access to safe, affordable, reliable, and
environmentally sustainable energy for electricity
ratepayers. In concert with our environmental social
justice goals, the administrators are the California
Energy Commission which administers 80% of the funds.
And we also have Pacific Gas Electric Company, then California
Edison Company and San Diego uh, Gas and Electric Company,
uh administering the remaining 20%. Uh, I want to thank
the CPUC team uh, for organizing the workshop for
doing many years of work on this effort. And continuing
to uh, shepherd and guide this effort. We have program
manager, Judith Clay. Uh, Climate and Equity Initiatives
Supervisor, Cheryl Cox who was here earlier. Uh, and
analyst for Fred Beck and Amanda Kranz. Thank you, and that
ends my Commissioner Report. Thank you, Commissioner
Shiroma. I'm noting your comment about the acronyms.
I was gonna warn the Interns about that, but they probably
already figured it out Um, and then I also wanted to
start by piling on, on the good wishes for Adam. Um,
I did have the pleasure of working with Adam and he
was always knowledgeable, thoughtful. Um, we worked
on the Broadband for All proceeding together. And, um
I just wanted to say it's really been a pleasure working
with you. Thank you. Um all right, I do also have an
upcoming event, um that I'd like to share that. I will
also be participating in the NARUC meeting next week. Um,
and uh as a member of the Neighbor Board, I'll be representing
California's interests among our national peers and
colleagues coming together from across the country.
And, um on the high temperatures also that Commissioner
Shiroma noted. Um, temperatures are gonna be 100 degrees
or more in Texas. And um, in that um atmosphere we're
gonna be focused on reliability changes and reliability
challenges and, uh energy transition. And so really
a timely discussion. Um, I'm looking forward to it.
I'm looking forward to hearing from thought leaders
um, that who will be attending and looking forward to
sharing the California perspective. Um, I also wanted
to note that as I mentioned at the last meeting. We
have uh, two upcoming public safety briefings. Uh, these
will be on California, Southern California Edison
and San Diego Gas and Electric. The Public Briefing
will take place next Thursday, July 20, uh from 1
to 5, here in our San Francisco headquarters. Um, SCE
and STG&E will present and answer questions from
the Commissioners and the directory, Director of Energy
Safety. I encourage uh, members of the public to attend
that briefing. And then last, um I have a um a positive
uh, Staffing up, update to share. I'm really pleased
to be um, sharing that uh, Simi, uh Rose George has joined
my office as a Legal and Policy Advisor. Uh, Simi is
a seasoned analyst, Analyst and Advisor here at the
CPUC. She's held many roles in the past starting in
2017. Those included um Advisor to former Commissioner
Cliff Rechtschaffen, and a Remote Advisor to uh, Commissioner
Karen Douglas, so I stole her from Karen. Um,
and a Senior Analyst in the Policy and Planning Division.
Um before joining the CPUC, Simi worked on climate
and energy issues in the, at the Environmental Defense
Fund. And previous to that, she was a corporate attorney
at two international law firms in London. Working on
a range of cross border investment projects in the
energy and infrastructure sectors. She holds a Bachelor's
Degree and a Law Degree from National Law School of
India University. And a Master's Degree in Public Administration
from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. So please
join me in welcoming Simi to my team. All right. Um,
that concludes the Commissioner Reports. And so with
that, that is the last item on our Agenda today. So
that uh, concludes the meeting and the public meeting
of the California Public Utilities Commission is now
adjourned. Thanks everyone.