The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is a regulatory agency responsible for ensuring safe, reliable and affordable utility services in the state of California. The CPUC was created by the California Constitution, and it was established in 1911 to regulate the state’s railway sector. In 1946, the CPUC’s regulatory scope was expanded to include telephone, gas, and electric utilities, as well as water companies. Today, the CPUC is responsible for regulating the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, as well as overseeing the safety of the state’s transportation infrastructure. The CPUC’s primary objectives are to protect the public interest by ensuring that utilities provide safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates, promote customer choice, and reduce the environmental impact of utility service. The CPUC is composed of five commissioners who are appointed by the Governor of California and approved by the State Senate. Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms and are responsible for making key decisions related to the regulation of utilities and the implementation of state energy policies. The CPUC is funded entirely by fees paid by the utilities it regulates and the state’s General Fund. Overall, the CPUC plays a critical role in safeguarding the well-being and security of California’s residents and businesses by effectively regulating the state’s utility companies.