Instructions for Providing Public Comment at CPUC

Instructions for Providing Public Comment at CPUC

Last updated 3.2.23 – Questions: [email protected] or text/call 619-292-8740

To give a remote comment via phone 

If you wish to dial in, follow these directions.

  • Dial in at 11 a.m to get into the queue for speaking. Public comments are among the first things on the agenda. 
  • Call: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 9899501#  (Spanish speakers: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 3799627#)
  • To make a public comment during the public comment period, press *1 (star one) when you wish to speak to be placed in a queue by the operator. Once you press *1 you will be prompted to state your name and/or organization.
  • After that, you may hear the operator prompt you for the info again, but if you have done it once, you should be good to go. Participants will be placed on mute in “listen-only” mode until the public comment portion of the meeting.
  • Wait times may be lengthy depending on the number of speakers. Hang in there as  best you can. We know many people can only stay on the phone for so long and we appreciate everything you do. 
  • To watch while you are on hold: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc. However, to make a comment, you must join via the phone line. For captions, after clicking on the name of the meeting, click the green button below the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
  • If you experience difficulty calling into the Public Comment line, please send an email to [email protected] or call (415) 703-5263.

Ideas for what to say in your public comment on March 16th

Comments are usually limited to 1 minute. We suggest that you write out your comment in advance and practice it out loud a few times while timing yourself. 

1) Your name and where you live (and if you are with an organization)

2) Please delay the implementation of your NEM3 decision until you resolve the issues raised in the appeal by the environmental groups. 

3) In your own words, one reason to back up your request. Below are some options. Of course say it in your own words, it is more powerful that way!

  • The CPUC decision violates the state mandate to keep rooftop solar growing: The CPUC decision will shrink rooftop solar. This is without question. Every state and locality that made similar changes saw rooftop solar adoptions collapse by half or more. 
  • The CPUC decision violates the law by making solar more expensive for low-income people without offering a viable alternative: CPUC was presented with numerous alternatives that are proven to work but the CPUC rejected all of them. Please reconsider. 
  • The CPUC decision failed to include all of the benefits of rooftop solar. The CPUC’s rules require the CPUC to look at ALL of the benefits of rooftop solar. But the NEM3 decision cherry-picked only SOME of the benefits of rooftop solar. For example, the decision misrepresented the facts showing that rooftop solar actually reduces the cost of long-distance power lines. Utilities have a self-interest in obscuring that fact and the decision is complicit in helping them do so. 
  • The CPUC decision slashed solar for churches and schools without justification. The CPUC’s own analysis found no basis for slashing the solar credit for commercial and industrial solar projects. Ignoring that finding is a violation of CPUC rules. 

Background information