California Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a California consumer advocacy group fighting for utility ratepayers, is a member-supported organization that advocates for reliable and affordable utility service and that represents the interests of residential, farm, and small business customers of electric, natural gas, water/sewer and telecommunication/Cable utilities before regulatory agencies and the courts.
Contact CUB
Mailing Address:
9420 Reseda Blvd.
Suite 274
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 366-6999
(877) 770-9582 Fax
Mission Statement
The California Citizens Utility Board:
Provides public interest legal services to ensure effective and democratic representation of residential, farm and small business utility customers before regulatory agencies, the legislature, and the courts, and other public bodies;
Advocates for reliable, affordable and sound utility service;
Educates consumers on utility service through the preparation, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of information and resource materials relating to utilities regulation and public energy and telecommunications policy, and generally engage in and support public education regarding utilities regulation and public energy and telecommunications policy.
CUB History
The Public Service Commission of California (CPUC) regulates monopoly public utilities and must balance the interests of ratepayers and utility shareholders. Utilities are required to provide good service at fair rates for consumers with a fair rate of return for utilities.
The CPUC makes these decisions at formal hearings where the positions of both consumers and utilities are heard and in return public utilities can earn a reasonable profit for providing service.
But, before CUB of California, consumers lacked the organization and expertise to effectively counter the arguments of the utilities, who were able to count on the talents of full time attorneys and other experts paid for by rates.
Enter CUB – Citizens Utility Board of California.
CUB is the product of the consumer movement triggered by Ralph Nader and others in the 1960's and 1970's.
In 2006, CUB was created in California to give consumers a voice in the regulatory proceedings which control monopoly utilities.
CUB of California reorganized as a private organization in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found unconstitutional the requirement for utilities to include CUB membership brochures in their bills.
CUB exists today because of the power and generosity of its membership. CUB is an organization supported by members who are concerned about utility service, and are willing to help CUB of California fight for reliable and affordable utility service.
Services Provided by CUB of California
In California, utilities can only raise rates upon authorization of the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). The CPUC typically hears the reasons for the request in a rate case.
Citizens Utility Board of California (CUB) represents California utility customers in these highly technical rate cases at the CPUC, Attorneys and consultants from around the country are utilized on a case by case basis because of their unique expertise particular to issues arising in each case.
Based on the findings of our experts, CUB of California argues for reductions in the amount of increase sought by the utilities.
CUB of California also represents consumers in front of Municipally owed Utilities, when and where possible.
What does the CPUC do?
The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) is a state agency that is responsible for the regulation of California's public utilities.
These utilities (Gas, Electric, Telecom, Cable and Water/Sewer must obtain CPUC approval before setting new rates, issuing stock or bonds, and building new power plants or power lines.
The Citizens Utility Board of California:
Provides public interest legal services to ensure effective and democratic representation of residential, farm and small business utility customers before regulatory agencies, the legislature, and the courts, and other public bodies;
Advocates for reliable, affordable and sound utility service;
Educates consumers on utility service through the preparation, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of information and resource materials relating to utilities regulation and public energy and telecommunications policy, and generally engage in and support public education regarding utilities regulation and public energy and telecommunications policy.
CUB of California History
The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) regulates monopoly public utilities and must balance the interests of ratepayers and utility shareholders. Utilities are required to provide good service at fair rates for consumers with a fair rate of return for utilities.
The CPUC makes these decisions at formal hearings where the positions of both consumers and utilities are heard and in return utilities can earn a reasonable profit for providing service.
But, before CUB of California, consumers lacked the organization and expertise to effectively counter the arguments of the utilities, who were able to count on the talents of full time attorneys and other experts paid for by rates.
Enter CUB of California.
CUB is the product of the consumer movement. .
In 2006, CUB of California was created in California to give consumers a voice in the regulatory proceedings which control monopoly utilities.
CUB of California exists today because of the power and generosity of its membership. CUB is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by members who are concerned about utility service, and are willing to help CUB of California fight for reliable and affordable utility service.
Services Provided by CUB
In California, public utilities can only raise rates upon authorization of the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). The CPUC typically hears the reasons for the request in a rate case.
CUB of California represents California public utility customers in these highly technical rate cases at the CPUC. Attorneys and consultants from around the country are utilized on a case by case basis because of their unique expertise particular to issues arising in each case.
Based on the findings of our experts, CUB of California argues for reductions in the amount of increase sought by the utilities.
What does the CPUC do?
The California Public Utility Commission(CPUC) is a state agency that is responsible for the regulation of California's public utilities.
These utilities must obtain CPUC approval before setting new rates, issuing stock or bonds, and building new power plants or power lines.
