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             California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 5301            San Francisco, CA 94102
CONTACT: Dianne Dienstein             June 19, 1996    CPUC - 54
         415-703-2423
                                     REVISED - SEE LAST PARAGRAPH

             CPUC BEGINS VISION 2000 IMPLEMENTATION

    Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) took
the first step in reforming itself to better meet the changing
market and regulatory environment facing the industries it
regulates.  With the announcement of a new organizational
structure, the Commission begins its implementation of sweeping
organizational and procedural reforms outlined in its January
Vision 2000, Report On Our Progress Toward Change.
    "While an important first step, this organizational reform is
only one part of a broader reform effort to revitalize the agency
and prepare it for the changed utility markets of the 21st
century," said P. Gregory Conlon, President of the Commission and
one of two Commissioners selected by their colleagues to oversee
this effort.  Commissioner Jessie J. Knight Jr., the other
Commissioner responsible for the project, concurred calling this
a "Historic day for the Commission, a Commission that is
literally reinventing itself into a more efficient, more
effective and more accessible agency charged with advancing the
interests of California consumers."
    The development of a new organizational structure is only one
aspect of the Commission's ongoing Vision 2000 project.  In order
to better address industry changes and better serve the interests
of all Californians, the Commission, throughout the remainder of
the year, will implement further significant changes in the
Commission's procedures, decision-making, human resources,
business planning and budgeting, and use of information
technology.
                            - more -
    Commissioners chose an industry-based structure to recognize
and better address the different ways in which industries the
Commission regulates are becoming competitive.  The new structure
also will increase staff accountability to Commissioners, improve
communication, and enable Commissioners to have greater control
of the decision-making process.  "The objective is to increase
the accountability of both Commissioners and staff to getting the
vital business of the Commission done in a timely, efficient and
effective manner," said Conlon.
    Commissioners pledged that consumer interests will continue
to be represented in a variety of ways:

O  A new Consumer Services Division will address individual
   consumer complaints informally as well as represent individual
   consumers in formal complaints and enforcement actions.  It
   also will keep the Commission informed about ratepayer issues
   on an ongoing rather than case-specific basis.

O  Attention to the interests of classes of customers and the
   general public interest will be handled within each industry
   division.

O  The Public Advisor will deal with overarching consumer issues
   not directly addressed by the Consumer Services or industry
   divisions, and assist in overseeing an enhanced intervenor
   compensation program to encourage greater participation in
   CPUC proceedings.

    Under the new organization, the General Counsel, Executive
Director and Public Advisor continue to report directly to
Commissioners.  In addition, the director of Strategic Planning
and Chief Administrative Law Judge now will report directly to
Commissioners.
                            - more -
    Seven divisions, in addition to the aforementioned Consumer
Services Division will be established: Human Resources,
Information Services, Energy, Telecommunications, Rail Safety,
Carriers, and Water.  The Executive Director will appoint
directors for each who will report directly to him and be
responsible for preparing for Commission approval business plans
for their particular industry and/or administrative plans for
their divisions.
    Administrative Law Judges will continue to report to the
Chief ALJ and be assigned to and rotated every two years among
industry divisions.  Legal staff will continue to report to the
General Counsel and also be assigned to and rotated among
industry divisions.
    As Vision 2000 implementation continues, the Vision 2000
Team of Commissioners Daniel Wm. Fessler and Josiah L. Neeper
will work to resolve issues related to Bagley-Keene Open Meeting
Act reform, ex parte communications, intervenor compensation, and
public deliberations as part of the decision-making process.
Then they will bring a proposal to their colleagues President
Conlon and Commissioners Knight and Henry M. Duque for full
public Commission discussion and action to assure linkage between
the new structure and the decision-making process.


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