Energy regulation in a federal country: the case of California | Chairman Michael Picker (CPUC)

Energy regulation in a federal country: the case of California | Chairman Michael Picker (CPUC) Jean-Michel Glachant, Director of the Florence School of Regulation, and Michael Picker, Chairman of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), discuss the roles the different levels of government play in managing the changes due to the energy transition (decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation). In California, the governor and the legislative branch set the broad policy framework and appoint the heads of the State energy agencies. The latter then implement the policies. As an example, the CPUC is responsible for regulating the development of gas and electricity infrastructure by public utilities. The Federal Government, located in Washington, D.C., played a role in the recent past by promoting investments in renewables. However, in States like California, a worldwide leader in the energy transition, the overall direction of energy and climate policy is decided, for the most part, autonomously. Due to States’ autonomy, it appears that the transition from the Obama Administration to the one of Trump may not be as consequential when all is said and done.