Utilities coverage in California — electric, gas, water and telecommunications — follows the industry as a business and as a regulated sector undergoing significant structural change. Reporting reaches Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose.
California voters turned down a November 2026 ballot measure that would have shortened environmental review for essential projects.
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November 7, 2026
Pacific Power Seeks 57% Electricity Rate IncreaseThe California utility asks regulators to approve a major rate hike while also seeking to recover wildfire liability costs from customers.
November 7, 2026
Regulators to Vote on PG&E Undergrounding CutA proposed California Public Utilities Commission decision could reduce PG&E's planned powerline undergrounding from 5,000 miles to as few as 1,100 miles.
November 6, 2026
Regulators Propose Shorter Solar Grandfathering TermsCalifornia utility regulators are considering cutting the guaranteed solar net metering period for customers of three smaller utilities from 20 years to 15 years.
November 6, 2026
State Eyes 1.13 Million Acre Feet of Kings River WaterA state hearing set for January 2027 will weigh whether to lift a 1967 restriction that blocks new water permits on the Kings River.
November 5, 2026
Energy Commission Funds GridWrap Line UpgradeA $5.9 million California Energy Commission project will validate GridWrap's Composite WiRe Wrap technology on existing overhead power lines.
November 5, 2026
Board Approves Sites Reservoir Water PermitThe state's first major new reservoir in decades received a unanimous approval for its water right permit after a heated debate.
November 5, 2026
Air District Delays Zero-NOx Water Heater RuleThe Bay Area Air District Board voted to push the zero-NOx water heater compliance date to January 2028, adding exemptions for some households.
November 3, 2026
Sierra Business Council Launches Wood Utilization InitiativeThe initiative seeks to turn forest-thinning and wildfire-reduction wood into lumber, biochar, chips, and renewable heat and energy across the Sierra Nevada.
November 2, 2026
Clean Power Alliance Closes $1.4B Wind Energy BondThe pre-payment bond, underwritten by J.P. Morgan, secures renewable supply and is expected to cut costs by about $12.7 million a year.
November 2, 2026
Newsom Signs Plug and Play Solar ActThe new California law lets certified plug-in solar systems under 1,200 watts bypass utility approval.
Coverage takes in rate increase proceedings, grid reliability events, infrastructure investment plans, wildfire liability and the decisions that shape how California moves toward its energy and water goals. California's regulatory environment — including its own public utilities commission and its distinct energy market structure — produces rate and infrastructure stories that don't follow national patterns. Wildfire risk and the grid hardening it requires have become a defining cost driver for electric utilities, generating sustained coverage of both rate cases and physical infrastructure decisions. Rooftop solar policy and the rules that govern how customers interact with the grid add an ongoing layer of regulatory coverage tied to the state's broader climate and economy.
