About The PUC Papers
Exposing corruption in California's energy regulation through public records
Our Mission
The PUC Papers is the most comprehensive public archive of documents from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), containing over 67,000 internal emails, memos, and communications that expose corruption, regulatory capture, and inappropriate relationships between state regulators and the utilities they oversee.
This archive represents years of public records requests and investigative journalism to shine a light on how California's energy regulation has been compromised by the very companies it's supposed to regulate. All documents are public records obtained through the California Public Records Act.
Created by Evan King
Evan King
Technology Director at Consumer Watchdog
Evan King is the creator and developer of The PUC Papers archive. As Technology Director at Consumer Watchdog, Evan built this powerful search platform to make decades of CPUC documents accessible to journalists, researchers, and the public.
His work has been instrumental in exposing regulatory corruption and holding California's utilities accountable for their actions. The PUC Papers has been cited in major investigations and has become an essential resource for understanding the relationship between utilities and their regulators.
Media Coverage
The PUC Papers launch was featured in major media outlets, highlighting the importance of this investigative resource:
LA Times
"Watchdog group shows cozy emails between state regulators and utility executives"
Read Article →KPBS
"Consumer group launches website to document alleged corruption at California PUC"
Read Article →Sacramento Bee
"Database reveals inappropriate communications between regulators and utilities"
Read Coverage →About Consumer Watchdog
Consumer Watchdog is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that has been fighting for consumers' rights since 1985. We take on powerful interests to ensure that government is accountable, corporations are honest, and the public has a voice.
Our work spans healthcare, privacy, energy, and financial services. The PUC Papers is part of our ongoing effort to expose corruption in California's energy regulation and hold utilities accountable for their actions.
Key Investigations
Documents in this archive have been crucial to investigating:
- San Bruno Pipeline Explosion - PG&E's negligence that killed 8 people
- Aliso Canyon Gas Leak - The largest methane leak in U.S. history
- CPUC Corruption Ring - Inappropriate relationships during the Governor Brown era
- Regulatory Capture - How utilities influence their own regulators
- Rate Manipulation - Backroom deals affecting California ratepayers
Start Searching
Explore 67,000+ documents and uncover the truth about California's energy regulation
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