P1 1WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates represents
2residential and small business customers of electricity, natural gas,
3water, and communications investor-owned utilities for the purpose
4of obtaining the lowest possible rates for utility customers
5consistent with safe an reliable service; and
6WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates was created
7in the California Public Utilities Commission in 1984; and
8WHEREAS, The Legislature recognized the Division of
9Ratepayer Advocates in statute in 1996 to give the division
10independence from the commission in order for the division to
11carry out its role in advocating on behalf of public utility
12customers; and
13WHEREAS, In 2005, the Legislature expanded the charge of
14the Division of Ratepayer Advocates to represent the interests of
15customers in all significant proceedings and forums, rather than
16just proceedings at the commission; and
17WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates has 137
18authorized positions, including economists, engineers, policy
19analysts, auditors, and accountants, with expertise in regulatory
20issues related to the electricity, natural gas, water, and
21telecommunications industries in California; and
22WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayers Advocates saved
23residential and small business customers nearly $4 billion in 2012,
P2 1which was nearly $153 for every dollar allocated to the division;
2and
3WHEREAS, In 2012, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates
4participated in 176 commission proceedings and filed more than
5600 pleadings to aid the commission in developing the record from
6which commissioners formulated their final decisions; and
7WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates provides
8thoughtful analysis of pressing issues, including white papers on
9the effect of time-variant pricing on small electric service
10customers, energy utility service disconnections, effective smart
11meter deployment, and a guide to California’s renewable energy
12policies and programs; and
13WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates achieves its
14statutory mission to represent and protect electricity, natural gas,
15water, and communications investor-owned utility customers in
16Sacramento by taking positions on bills, testifying in informational
17and bill hearings, providing technical legislative and constituent
18assistance, participating in working groups, and providing updates
19on the actions of the division and of the commission; now,
20therefore, be it
21Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
22hereby supports the Division of Ratepayer Advocates and the
23substantial contributions it has made to the residents of California;
24and be it further
25Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
26this resolution to the Governor of California.
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