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Residents press CPUC rep on flat rates, abandoned lines and complaint process
Summary
A CPUC representative described an upcoming flat‑rate billing change that separates fixed utility costs from usage, cited General Order 95 for abandoned-line removal, and urged residents to file complaints via the agency website to trigger investigations after residents recounted power loss during evacuation orders and service outages tied to copper theft.
A representative from the California Public Utilities Commission told Topanga residents the agency plans to separate utilities' fixed infrastructure costs into a flat fee on customer bills and leave energy usage charges variable, and that the change is likely to appear on bills at the end of this year or early next year.
The CPUC representative said the flat rate will apply uniformly to residential customers but noted existing lifeline programs provide different assistance to low‑income households. Residents asked whether the flat rate would be applied based on income; the CPUC representative said it would not be income‑based.
Residents raised safety concerns after reporting that power went out immediately following evacuation orders during recent fires. One resident said losing power prevented phone communication and preparation; the CPUC representative said public‑safety power shutoffs require staged advance notification while unplanned outages may not allow for notice and that utilities must file post‑event reports posted on the CPUC website.
On infrastructure, residents asked about abandoned transmission or distribution lines that remain in place and whether owners are required to remove them. The CPUC representative cited General Order 95 as the rule that addresses abandoned lines and said owners are expected to remove truly abandoned infrastructure; staff said they would check whether penalties or timelines apply and follow up.
Residents also reported copper‑wire theft on Old Canyon that left Frontier customers without service for about a month. The CPUC representative said providers are required to provision service and that the commission’s office has reached out to government‑affairs representatives to seek solutions.
When a resident suggested the CPUC's rules are not enforced and utilities therefore do not comply, the CPUC representative urged filing complaints using the online complaint portal, saying every complaint is investigated and posted publicly and that filing is the first step the agency uses to pursue remedies.
Next steps: CPUC staff offered to follow up on timelines and penalties related to abandoned lines, and the commission directed participants to the online complaint portal for public‑safety or service complaints.
