Environmental Law & Policy Alert ‐ July 31, 2024 – Update from Somach Simmons & Dunn

July 31, 2024

California Supreme Court Ruling Protects Due Process Rights in California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Proceedings

As California’s climate continues to experience prolonged, intense drought years, California water utilities must now balance the need to conserve water against the financial demands required to run a profitable business. In a ruling favorable to equitably maintaining that balance, the California Supreme Court unanimously overturned the California Public Utilities Commission’s (Commission) 2020 Order eliminating a decoupling mechanism known as the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM) that allows water companies to surcharge customers when water sales fall short of forecasts. … Read More

Written by Kelly M. Doyle