California Public Utilities Commission

Today, the CPUC approved $91 million in grants for last mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This continues a rolling process of awards and recommendations, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All.?? ? Separately, the CPUC approved grant funding of up to $279,415 from the California Advanced Services Fund Broadband Public Housing Account to bring free internet access to those who do not already have access in public housing in Corte Madera and San Jose.?? ? Many Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant awardees are creating new networks, connecting the next generation to education, improving access to healthcare, and empowering rural communities for economic development and emergency connectivity. Combined, these proposed projects will serve predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.? ? Today’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant awardees include $91 million for Last Mile Federal Funding Account in Marin, Mendocino, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Sutter counties benefitting an estimated 32,000 Californians. The awards include grants to City of Ukiah, City of Fort Bragg, Comcast, Hankins Information Technology, Marin County, Round Valley Indian Tribe, and Surfnet.? ? Pictured below: Deputy Director, Broadband, Maria Isabel Ellis (Restrepo Florez), presenting a staff resolution on last-mile grants for Commission vote today in Sacramento.

Two weeks ago, I stepped into the Director role over the Commission's Consumer Protection & Enforcement Division. I'm energized by this new opportunity to bring my experience and approach and to set strategic direction with the Commission's experts in transportation policy, enforcement, and consumer protection. This also means I get to hire my own backfill! Please look out for a hiring announcement in the coming weeks and reach out with any questions.

I recently visited PG&E's Helms Pumped Storage project in Fresno County, California with some of my team at the California Public Utilities Commission. Helms is a 1,212 MW pumped storage facility that first came online in 1984. We learned about the existing facility, as well as future opportunities to continue to leverage pumped storage to meet the State's clean energy goals. Helms is actively used to store power generated during low cost periods (often solar) and then dispatches that power during higher cost periods. Pumped storage units like Helms diversify the electric grid's energy mix, support integration of variable renewable energy and enhance reliability. Learn more about the CPUC’s work to support electric reliability through the Resource Adequacy program: https://lnkd.in/gq_gy3ny Jaime Rose Gannon, Nathan Barcic, Lauren Reiser, Michele (Suzie) Kito, Pete Skala, Khaled Abdelaziz, Jared Ferguson, Karl Stellrecht, California Public Utilities Commission

California Public Utilities Commission & San Diego Gas & Electric have opened bidding for a Solar on Multifamily Housing Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Evaluation. Bids are due by 9/30/24. Find the notice here: https://shorturl.at/uNi0a To submit a proposal, register here: https://lnkd.in/gYtHqGpm Evaluations are an important tool in our program delivery, offering an outside perspective on progress to-date.

As the State Safety Oversight agency for light rail transit in the state, engineers in the Rail Safety Division of the California Public Utilities Commission review test data for each new train car before signing off on it being put into service. We work closely with each transit agency to ensure public safety from design, construction, and through operations.

The?Newsom Administration, local officials, and Arcadian Infracom announced the groundbreaking of a crucial segment of California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network. The Capitol Route groundbreaking in Natomas celebrates California’s work in building the nation’s largest open-access, Middle-Mile Broadband Network. The?groundbreaking is a milestone in a 256-mile route of new open-access broadband fiber spanning from San Jose in Silicon Valley through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Carson City, Nevada. This essential infrastructure?is a vital part of California’s comprehensive approach to closing the digital divide.?With 1,666 miles of active installation and construction, the California Department of Technology is working to deliver over 8,000 miles of broadband fiber — enabling more affordable and reliable broadband access for many of the most unserved and underserved communities in the state.?In the next three months, the Middle-Mile Broadband Network will kick off construction on 33 segments spanning over 1,590 miles – building toward an estimated 3,256 miles in construction by the end of 2024. https://lnkd.in/gdUXDH2M

It was a beautiful day to gather in Oakland with Governor Newsom, Senator Padilla, and my favorite state #energy leaders to celebrate California’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create California’s hydrogen hub, ARCHES H2. The California Public Utilities Commission is helping to lead the way in catalyzing hydrogen production to decarbonize our economy and address climate change —and you can join our team! Check out our new positions and join us for a virtual open house on September 19 https://lnkd.in/gTfJ5ui5

I am excited to announce that effective yesterday, August 26, 2024, Terra Curtis has been appointed as the Director of the Consumer Protection & Enforcement Division (CPED) at CPUC. In her new role, Terra will work closely with me to set the strategic direction and lead our Commission's transportation policy and enforcement teams, as well as our utilities enforcement team, safeguarding consumers against fraud, waste, and abuse. Since joining the Commission in 2020, Terra has made a significant impact, most recently serving as Interim Director of CPED and Program Manager for the Transportation Licensing and Analysis Branch. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing first-in-the-nation transportation programs, including autonomous vehicle passenger service, on-demand wheelchair accessible options, and the electrification of ride-hailing services. Terra brings a wealth of experience and a passion for transportation safety to this role. Before joining the Commission, she founded and led the emerging mobility practice at Nelson\Nygaard, a national transportation consulting firm. Her forward-thinking approach has been recognized through her participation in Transit Center’s inaugural Women Changing Transportation Program cohort in 2019. Terra also serves on the Board of the California Streets Initiative, advocating for sustainable transportation and livable communities. She holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Boston University. Welcome! and Congratulations!

We recently attended a historic California Department of Technology, Caltrans, and Arcadian Infracom groundbreaking ceremony with the Mayor and Council members in Willits. The 288-count fiber optic cable will connect a trans-Pacific undersea cable landing in Arcata and data centers along San Jose-Sacramento-Reno and Los Angeles-Las Vegas routes, and, most importantly, will support last-mile internet service in California unserved rural communities along the way.

On Friday, August 23, the California Public Utilities Commission attended a historic California Department of Technology, Caltrans, and Arcadian Infracom groundbreaking ceremony with the Mayor and Council members in Willits, California. The 288-count fiber optic cable will connect a trans-Pacific undersea cable landing in Arcata (coming from Singapore) and data centers along San Jose-Sacramento-Reno and Los Angeles-Las Vegas routes, and, most importantly, will support last-mile internet service in California unserved rural communities along the way.