Gov. Jerry Brown appointed two of his top aides Wednesday to a state panel that has been roiled by allegations of lax oversight and cozy dealings with utilities.
Brown named adviser Clifford Rechtschaffen and deputy legislative affairs secretary Martha Guzman Aceves to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
In a statement, Brown said the two would protect ratepayers and ensure "safe, reliable and climate-friendly energy in California."
The commission has been under greater scrutiny since eight people died in a pipeline explosion in San Bruno in September 2010. A federal investigation into the disaster cited insufficient oversight by the utilities commission. Tens of thousands of emails between PG&E executives and high-ranking regulatory officials released during a civil suit show a cozy relationship between commissioners and the utility executives they regulate. Further email releases indicate the governor’s office has been closely involved in discussions with the agency over how to handle controversial situations, including San Bruno and the shutdown of a Southern California nuclear power plant.
Federal and state prosecutors earlier announced investigations into those allegations in 2015, but they have yet to announce any conclusions. One of the outgoing commission members, former consumer advocate Michael Florio, who is being replaced when his six-year term expires on Sunday, was involved in some of the questioned email exchanges with utility executives. He has defended his private communications with the utility officials.