10. Whistleblower Protections

The Commission does not have a comprehensive program to protect persons who have and wish to protect an on-going relationship with a public utility but who are also in possession of information regarding a threat to public safety concerning that utility's operations. The Commission established a limited whistleblower program for affiliate matters which was primarily a means for the Commission to accept anonymous complaints.⁸ Should the Commission adopt rules that protect utility employees from management retaliation for bringing information to the Commission regarding unreported utility public safety issues? Are such rules necessary or practical?

⁸ Re Standards of Conduct Governing Relationships Between Energy Utilities and Their Affiliates, 84 CPUC 2d 155, 174-5 (Decision 98-12-075).