The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has released its 2025 annual report on the Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Action Plan 2.0, detailing progress in applying ESJ principles throughout the agency’s regulatory work.
According to the report, CPUC completed 85 percent of the 94 action items across nine strategic objectives it committed to as part of ESJ Action Plan 2.0. The plan builds on an earlier framework set by ESJ Action Plan 1.0, which focused on collaboration, accountability, and equitable policymaking within the agency.
“The CPUC made significant strides in integrating ESJ principles into its internal operations, decision-making processes, and external engagements,” said CPUC Executive Director Rachel Peterson. “We cultivated a culture committed to understanding the real challenges and lived experiences of ESJ communities, centering their feedback, and upholding our commitment to equity.”
The governance structure supporting these efforts includes oversight from the Executive Division, led by ESJ Executive Nancy Diaz along with a core team and liaisons from each division who help integrate ESJ considerations into daily practice.
Key accomplishments outlined in the report include increased investment in clean energy for disadvantaged communities—areas that often face higher pollution exposure and related health risks. The CPUC prioritized distributed energy resources and building decarbonization while streamlining enrollment for low-income energy programs.
Workforce development also received attention through partnerships with organizations such as the California Workforce Development Board to promote clean energy sector careers among underserved groups.
Community outreach was expanded through targeted engagement strategies managed by the External Affairs Division. These included monthly newsletters for community-based organizations and translated materials in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish to reach broader audiences.
Efforts to improve access to essential services included support for broadband initiatives in tribal rural areas through programs like the California Advanced Service Fund Tribal Technical Assistance Program. This program awarded $6 million across more than 40 Tribes. For example, new broadband infrastructure connected over 2,000 previously unserved residents of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties within Yurok Tribe lands.
The report also provides several metrics indicating impact: participation in customer assistance programs for water utilities rose by 35 percent; enrollment in California LifeLine grew by 13 percent; Cal Connect+ distributed ten percent more devices year-over-year; notifications during Public Safety Power Shutoffs improved for nearly 400,000 medically vulnerable customers; broadband grants totaling over $1 billion were awarded across most counties including technical assistance funds benefiting more than fifty Tribal communities; and almost $13 billion was invested via the Supplier Diversity Program supporting economic opportunity.
“This is not a single moment. It is a shared, ongoing responsibility to ensure that all Californians have safe access to essential utility services. Our work must continue,” said Executive Director Peterson.
