For Media

1

CMUA has Subject Matter Experts available to help you as you cover water and energy stories.

Contact Matt Williams at [email protected] for more information.

2

CMUA represents California’s customers and taxpayers in water and energy discussions, because publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are the customers and taxpayers.

Decisions about rates, investments, and priorities are made by and for the communities served, through elected or publicly accountable boards composed of people from that community, not far-away shareholders.

3

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are non-profit entities that work every day to drive down costs and reinvest in their communities.

Rates paid by customers are cannot be more than the cost of service, and any other revenues must be reinvested right back into their communities for programs that enhance efficiency, reliability and infrastructure, and balance customer costs with climate goals. The American Public Power Association (APPA) found that publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies reinvest a median of 5.1% of annual revenues back to their communities – an estimated $500 million annually in California.

4

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are consistently the most affordable water and energy option for Californians, saving residents and businesses millions of dollars every year.

Data on rate comparison information consistently shows publicly owned electric utilities are on average, at least 17% lower in cost than other alternatives, and often the savings are even higher. (Source: CMUA “2023 California IOU rate Forecast and Bill Comparison Study.”) A gallon of reliable California water often costs less than a penny.

5

CMUA is helping deliver on California’s clean energy, water resilience, and climate change goals because we operate at the nexus of California’s water, energy, and climate challenges.

Collectively, CMUA members provide water to 75% of Californians and provide electricity that serves 25% of the state’s load.

6

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are on the forefront of best practices in wildfire safety, prevention and response, equitable clean energy transition/electrification, water efficiency and environmental stewardship.

7

CMUA is much more than a technical trade group. It is a leader and problem solver in building an energy and water future that first and foremost serves the best interests of all Californians.

CMUA and its members bring innovative thinking and local expertise to support statewide solutions that work — and keep energy and water costs low.

8

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are leaders in advancing California’s goals of providing more renewable energy, reducing emissions, conserving resources and improving reliability.

Statewide, CMUA members are working toward a 60% renewable portfolio by 2030 and a 100% zero carbon energy portfolio by 2045.

9

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies historically, and repeatedly, deliver superior reliability.

The two key measures of utility reliability are System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). According to APPA, publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies across the U.S. show superior reliability as compared to investor owned utilities.

10

CMUA is the unified voice for California’s publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies.

CMUA advocates for the policies that protect reliable, affordable, and sustainable service for millions of Californians.