Public Advocate's Office: advocating for lower rates.

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities. Existing law establishes within the commission the independent Public Advocate's Office to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commission's jurisdiction, as provided. Under existing law, the goal of the office is to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. This bill would revise and recast the above-described goal to instead require the office to advocate for lower rates before the commission and for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels.