The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) marked Earth Month by highlighting on Apr. 8 the work of its approximately 1,600 employees in advancing environmental protection and sustainability across the state.
The CPUC says its efforts are aimed at building a healthier future for California while delivering benefits to local communities. Sahba Hafezi, Senior Energy Analyst at the CPUC, said, “The CPUC protects both the planet and Californians by balancing environmental progress with reliability and affordability. This behind-the-scenes work empowers local communities to lead on clean energy, reduces emissions, improves air quality, and creates a more resilient grid for everyone. It’s a powerful example of how thoughtful regulation can drive meaningful climate action while serving the public interest.”
Various divisions within the CPUC contribute to these goals through policy implementation and community engagement. Manisha Lakhanpal, Administrative Law Judge, said she helps write decisions on policies adopted by the legislature to support a carbon-free future. Shannon Ross, Court Reporter at CPUC proceedings, said her role is to ensure transparency: “I help make CPUC proceedings transparent and accessible to the public by ensuring every word is accurate in the public record.”
Leanne Hoadley supervises efficiency programs that enable businesses to upgrade facilities with more energy efficient options: “This helps customers lower their monthly energy costs, increases reliability on the grid, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. In addition to overseeing electricity supply costs that support investments in clean infrastructure as described by Hafezi, staff like Madeline Ocampo from Rail Safety Division focus on sustainable transit options: “In Los Angeles, I oversee the safety certification process of public transportation projects as well as the safety of public transit operations.”
Beyond regulatory duties at work, many staff members practice sustainability in their personal lives—ranging from veganism for environmental reasons (Ocampo), installing solar panels (Mary Baver), driving electric vehicles (Hafezi), or adopting heat pump technology (Erica Petrofsky). These actions reflect a culture of impact that extends beyond agency offices.
Lakhanpal summarized this commitment: “As public employees, CPUC teams are hardworking, dedicated, and passionate about making California a leader in every endeavor we work on.”
