In addition, the CPUC regulates common carriers, including household goods movers, limousines, rideshare services (§ Transportation network companies), self-driving cars, and rail crossing safety.

[1][2] The CPUC has headquarters in the Civic Center district of San Francisco, and field offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Additionally, the CPUC did not consistently pursue delinquent user fees it was aware of, that utility companies collected.

In October 2014, Commission President Michael Peevey decided to step down at the upcoming end of his second six-year term in December.

[15] His home in the Los Angeles suburb of La Cañada Flintridge was searched by criminal investigators in January 2015.

[16][17] In 2020, external auditors from Sjoberg Evanshenk Consulting delivered a series of reports commissioned by the CPUC for roughly $250,000.

In February 2021,[18] OSAE reaffirmed these findings, in response to a whistle blower complaint by former Executive Director, Alice Stebbins.

The CPUC meets publicly[20] to carry out the business of the agency, which may include the adoption of utility rate changes, rules on safety and service standards, implementation of conservation programs, investigation into unlawful or anticompetitive practices by regulated utilities and intervention into federal proceedings which affect California ratepayers.

Thus, such organizations as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit, and other municipally operated utilities or common carriers are not subject to rate regulation or tariff schedule filing with the CPUC.

While SB 1 codified the state's commitment to the creation of a self-sustaining solar market, it also introduced several unanticipated requirements for the program.

On February 8, 2008, CPUC President Michael Peevey issued a proposed decision on the implementation of California's greenhouse gas emissions legislation, AB 32.

The DIVCA granted the CPUC limited authority to regulate video service providers via a statewide franchise scheme.

[42] The CPUC is responsible for licensing video service providers, and enforcing certain anti-discrimination and build out requirements imposed by the Act.

Local franchise authorities will continue to regulate rights of way used by video providers, handle consumer complaints, and requirements as to public, educational, and government access (PEG) channels.

Previously, licensing of franchises was handled by local authorities such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission.

The law now exempts lines used for call-in to broadcasts or cablecasts since it is presumed a caller to a telecast is aware their call is subject to being transmitted or recorded and intends for this to happen.

[46][47] The definition of a TNC was created by the CPUC in 2013, as a result of a rulemaking process around new and previously unregulated forms of transportation.

[48] Taxi industry groups opposed the creation of the new category, arguing that TNCs are taking away their business as illegal taxicab operations.