CPUC Head Suggests Agency Needs Fewer Responsibilities

The California Public Utilities Commission oversees areas from energy to telecommunications. Commission President Michael Picker told the state Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee on Tuesday that he has begun to question how much the CPUC should be in charge of.

“Should things that are largely ministerial, like cable registration, should that be done by the Department of Consumer Affairs?" he asks. "Should TNC (transportation network companies) and limousine regulation be done by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the CHP?”

Picker was named president of the commission just over a year ago. He admitted to lawmakers his promise to change the agency’s culture has been slow going. And he acknowledged he was having a hard time keeping abreast of current legislation related to the CPUC.

"I am so underwater on a daily basis," he said. Picker said he was focused on managing the commission during his first year as president. He says this coming year he'll work on engaging with the Legislature.

He might have a lot of work to do.  Several legislative attempts to reform the CPUC have been blocked.  And lawmakers at the hearing at times appeared frustrated with Picker.

Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Los Angeles chairs the utilities committee. He said events like the recent Porter Ranch gas leak create concern about the way the agency is run.

"I think the Legislature and the people of the state of California are a little bit disappointed with the way that safety has been approached," he said. "We've had too many high-profile incidents."

Gatto  has authored legislation that would restructure the CPUC and reassign some of its oversight to other state agencies.