Sanjay Patnaik, director of the Centre on Regulation and Marketplaces and Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Progress in Financial Studies, not long ago sat down with Genevieve Shiroma, Commissioner of the California General public Utilities Commission. Some key parts they covered involve the agency’s regulatory authority, laws of autonomous cars, and what other initiatives the Fee is at the moment doing the job on. Below are some highlights:
In which does the Commission derive its regulatory authority from?
CPUC has a 1-hundred-calendar year history of regulating utilities and transit across the condition of California. Started in 1911, the agency derives its regulatory authority instantly from the point out constitution. Originally supposed to regulate railroads, CPUC now regulates energy, water, communications, and transportation, with security as a main agency priority.
How does CPUC method the regulation of autonomous automobiles?
CPUC has been extremely associated in regulating pilot testing for autonomous cars (AVs) in California. At the time of the interview, the agency was making ready a new determination on regulating autonomous vehicles—which was introduced on November 19th—and emphasized the agency’s focus on protection and accessibility. The selection makes two new AV deployment packages that will permit participating firms to provide compensated passenger rides in autonomous autos. CPUC will intently observe the safety, accessibility, and environmental impacts of the new packages.
How does the CPUC control ridesharing companies?
Around the past couple a long time, CPUC has regulated the speedy growth of transportation network firms (TNCs or journey-sharing businesses). CPUC requires TNCs to share anonymous, granular info with the agency and nearby governments, which has aided town scheduling endeavours as California adapts to adjustments in auto ownership charges because of to the rise of experience-sharing. CPUC also lately started applying a new system focused to regulating accessibility among TNCs in reaction to the passage of the 2018 TNC Accessibility for All Act.
What do the job does the CPUC do similar to climate adjust?
The company is presently gathering data on how the Eco-friendly Mile Standard—a law handed through the California State Legislature in 2018–is impacting air pollution. Commissioner Shiroma shared that the statute needed CPUC to do the job with the Air Sources Board to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and air air pollution from TNCs. The companies are still in the important details collection section.
How has COVID-19 influenced CPUC’s operate?
COVID-19 has compelled CPUC to be additional adaptable. The agency will work with several neighborhood jurisdictions across the condition, and California has necessary nearby authorities to adhere to the most stringent security specifications applicable to them. No matter if it is TNCs, light rails, or subway techniques, all entities are required to abide by regional Division of Health and fitness and CDC pandemic specifications. The state has also established moratoriums on any water disconnections right up until April 2021, giving citizens much more safe accessibility to their utilities all through the crisis.
To listen to Commissioner Shiroma’s comprehensive feedback, check out the fireplace chat here:
Cayli Baker and Kelly Kennedy provided editorial help for this web site submit.
The views expressed herein are those solely of the speakers and do not mirror the position of The Brookings Establishment.
