Consumer Education

The commission regulates privately-owned utilities (e.g., electric, natural gas and telephone) and oversees safety standards for common carrier railroads, communication lines (overhead and underground), gas and water facilities, light rail and rapid transit systems. It accepts and investigates consumer complaints regarding these services. In the Los Angeles area, the commission oversees safety standards for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LACMTA) and the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Line.

The commission regulates intrastate rates and responds to consumer complaints about billing and/or the services of privately owned public utilities, such as Pacific Bell, General Telephone, Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison. It does not regulate municipally owned or district owned utilities, such as the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power.

The commission accepts complaints about passenger carriers including shuttles, limousines, ride share services including Uber and Lyft, and charter buses; hot air balloons; passenger rail and public utilities. It provides consumer education about these services, including consumer rights, energy conversation and safety, and railroad crossing safety.