For Policymakers

1

CMUA can help legislators deliver on California’s clean energy, water resilience, and climate change goals.

We operate at the nexus of California’s water, energy, and climate challenges. CMUA and its members bring innovative thinking and local expertise to support statewide solutions that work, and keep energy and water costs low.

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.

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

3

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are not-for-profit entities that work every day to drive down costs and reinvest in their communities.

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies can only charge utility customers the actual cost of providing service, and rates paid by customers are reinvested right back into their communities for programs that enhance efficiency, reliability and infrastructure, and balance customer costs with meeting climate goals.

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 and water agencies 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”)

5

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are one of the largest providers of union jobs in the state and an economic engine for their communities.

A full 99.3% of the energy load served by CMUA members is provided by represented employees. Those jobs are in addition to contractors and other outside jobs provided by infrastructure and other projects. Finally, the American Public Power Association (APPA) found that publicly owned electric utilities reinvest a median of 5.1% of annual revenues back to their communities – an estimated $500 million annually in California.

6

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.

7

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies understand local communities and their needs better because they are locally-based.

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.

8

Utilities are not all the same in their structure and business models. The differences among them demands more than “one-size-fits all” policy approaches.

Publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies are uniquely structured to serve diverse communities, including rural and low-income areas. Imposing mandates designed for profit-driven utilities risks raising costs for these customers.

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 across the U.S. show superior reliability compared to investor owned utilities.

10

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.