ALJ/MD2/tcg Date of Issuance 8/7/2009
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking for the Purpose of Reviewing and Potentially Amending General Order 156 and to Consider Other Measures to Promote Economic Efficiencies of an Expanded Supplier Base and to Examine the Composition of the Utilities' Workforce. |
FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION JULY 30, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA RULEMAKING 09-07-027 |
ORDER INSTITUTING RULEMAKING TO
REVIEW AND POTENTIALLY AMEND GENERAL ORDER 156,
TO CONSIDER OTHER MEASURES TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC
EFFICIENCIES OF AN EXPANDED SUPPLIER BASE, AND
TO EXAMINE THE COMPOSITION OF THE UTILITIES' WORKFORCE
1. Summary
We institute this rulemaking to review the impact of General Order (GO) 156 and its success in encouraging Commission-regulated utilities to seek the full and fair participation of women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises in their private procurement programs. We consider whether to amend GO 156, established over 20 years ago, and if additional actions or measures would be useful in bringing to the participating companies and their ratepayers or customers the benefits of expanding the number of suppliers, encouraging competition, and promoting economic efficiencies. The rulemaking will examine where supplier diversity gains have been achieved, the reasons behind low gains in some procurement areas, strategies for improvement, and if the changing nature of the energy, communications, and water markets affords opportunity for the Commission to encourage development of diverse suppliers in new procurement areas.
In addition to reviewing trends and practices in procurement, the Commission also seeks information about the demographic composition of the workforce in each covered utility. Pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 453 and § 701, the Commission may consider whether an aging workforce presents an opportunity or necessity for Commission guidance in assuring the utilities are developing and maintaining a broadly diverse and well-trained workforce to maintain continuity of service at the lowest reasonable cost.
