What is the scope of utilities law?
Utilities law is the legal framework that sets the standards on how regulated utilities such as gas, electricity, water, and sanitation companies provide services to citizens in the state of California. It establishes the terms for customer service, rates, quality of service, and construction of facilities. In addition, utilities law sets out how customer complaints are addressed, how utilities are financed, and environmental regulations that protect the health of citizens. Utilities law also determines the roles and responsibilities of both the utilities and the regulatory agencies that oversee them. Utilities must comply with the regulations and standards set forth in the law. Additionally, utilities law dictates the action to be taken in the event that utilities fail to meet the requirements, such as fines imposed by the regulatory agency. At the state level, utilities law is determined by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) which is responsible for the investigation, evaluation, and decision-making concerning utility operations. The PUC ensures that utilities comply with state laws and regulations, and makes sure they are providing safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable prices. Utilities law also includes the protection of consumers in the form of consumer advocacy programs which represent customers in disputes with utilities and other regulatory decisions. These programs also ensure that customer rights and obligations are respected. Overall, utilities law is a complex body of laws that are essential to ensuring the safe, reliable, and affordable delivery of utility services to customers in California.
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