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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced he is designating John Reynolds as the new president of the California Public Utilities Commission, the state regulator that holds utilities and companies accountable for delivering safe, reliable and affordable service to Californians.
Reynolds will build on the governor's agenda to deliver 100% clean electricity by 2045, combat energy costs, modernize our electricity delivery system, and protect families and businesses from the growing impacts of extreme heat and catastrophic wildfires.
In his new role with the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, Reynolds will work to lower utility bills and make sure wildfire safety spending makes communities safer — from burying power lines to stronger poles and clearing brush.
He will build on the progress already underway: with a new law signed by Gov. Newsom last summer, California families will receive up to $60 billion in electricity bill refunds through 2045.
The governor also announced the appointment of Christine Harada to serve as commissioner at the CPUC, as President Alice Reynolds prepares to step down from the commission in late February.
Alice Reynolds will continue to work to implement the governor’s vision for an affordable, clean, safe and reliable energy system for California as a member of the California Independent Systems Operator’s Governing Board.
"From day one, Alice Reynolds has been one of my most trusted advisors on energy policy,” Newsom said. “Under her leadership, the CPUC brought online a record amount of clean energy, helping make California a global leader in cutting pollution, while advancing policies to lower costs for customers and more equitably distribute rates. Alice understands that our energy system has to be clean, safe, reliable, and affordable for Californians — and she has helped us deliver on all four while making the Golden State a beacon of innovation to the world."
“I am honored to accept the governor's nomination to serve as President of the California Public Utilities Commission,” said CPUC President Designee John Reynolds. “I look forward to continuing the state's work to drive towards more affordable utility services while supporting safe and reliable infrastructure that delivers on our ambitious climate agenda.”
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of California as the president of the Public Utilities Commission,” said President Alice Reynolds. “I want to express my gratitude to my fellow commissioners and to commission staff for their unparalleled expertise and commitment. I also want to thank Gov. Newsom for the opportunity to serve, both as CPUC president and in my new role as a member of the California Independent System Operator’s Board of Governors. I look forward to continuing to carry out the vision of a safe, clean, reliable, affordable electricity system that benefits all Californians, and I leave knowing that the commission is in good hands. John brings years of experience and an exceptional intellect, and I have seen him always leading with a kind heart. I also welcome Christine, whose diverse and rich experience will bring a unique perspective to the commission. As I transition to my new role, I remain proud of what we have accomplished and confident that the commission will continue its important work with unwavering dedication to public service.”
Affordability agenda
California’s energy agenda has focused on lowering costs and strengthening a power system built to withstand extreme weather as climate change intensifies.
The agenda is built on three clear principles: stronger utility accountability so every dollar spent delivers safer, reliable and affordable energy; fair, modern rate structures that reduce cost shifts and protect working families; and competitive, smart clean energy investments at the best price to meet growing demand while driving down costs over time.
As CPUC president, Newsom’s office said John Reynolds will lead the efforts to tighten oversight, align infrastructure investments with affordability goals, and ensure utilities deliver results for ratepayers — without slowing California’s clean energy progress.
The Governor’s Office said Reynolds’ appointment “underscores a renewed focus on cutting costs and improving performance as extreme heat, wildfire risk, and upgrades to the electric grid drive new demands on the system.”
The statement continued, “By prioritizing smarter, upfront investments—like wildfire prevention, grid hardening, and on-demand clean resources like battery storage—the state is moving away from costly, reactive fixes and toward a safer, more reliable grid that protects against the catastrophic failures responsible for the largest bill spikes. The objective is straightforward: bend the cost curve, boost resilience, and deliver a cleaner, more affordable energy future for Californians.”
State officials are emphasizing climate action and improvements both in emissions and economic growth.
The California Air Resources Board reported that greenhouse gas emissions are down 21% since 2000. Newsom’s office said the state's GDP increased 81% over the same period, becoming the world's fourth-largest economy.
In 2023, California was powered by two-thirds clean energy, the largest economy in the world to achieve this level, and ran on 100% clean electricity for part of the day almost every day last year.
During Newsom’s tenure, more than 30,000 megawatts of new resources have reportedly been added to the electric grid, and battery storage has surged to nearly 17,000 megawatts — a 2,100% increase. California now has 33% of the storage capacity estimated to be needed by 2045 to reach 100% clean electricity.
