Brown makes appointments to California Public Utilities Commission
California Gov. Jerry Brown recently announced the appointment of Martha Guzman Aceves and Clifford Rechtschaffen to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Guzman and Rechtschaffen will replace Michael Florio and Catherine Sandoval whose six-year terms ended on Jan. 1.
Guzman most recently served as a deputy legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor, where she focused on environmental protection, natural resources, energy and agriculture. She has also worked as the sustainable communities program director for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, on human resource issues with Swanton Berry Farm and as legislative coordinator for United Farm Workers. Guzman also founded Communities for a New California, a charity that focuses on promoting civic engagement in underrepresented communities.
“Martha has the experience, know-how and insight to well serve the people of California at the Public Utilities Commission,” Brown said.
Rechtschaffen was most recently a senior advisor to the governor on energy, climate and the environment. He has also worked as acting director of the California Department of Conservation, special assistant attorney general and deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice Attorney General’s office, and a professor of environmental law at Golden Gate University.
“Cliff’s experience as a lawyer, teacher and specialist in environmental and energy matters equips him to do an outstanding job on the Commission. Both have sound judgment and a commitment to protecting ratepayers and ensuring safe, reliable and climate-friendly energy in California,” Brown said.
The California Senate must still approve the new appointees, who, if confirmed, will serve six-year terms, respectively.
