[rayiner]

Studies show the opposite is true. Nobody gets voted out of the municipal rate board for denying rate approvals and allowing maintenance and capital investment to fall by the wayside. It's one reason U.S. infrastructure is in such terrible shape.

[refurb]

CPUC members in California aren’t voted in, they are nominated by the Governor.

So CA is a unique situation where the regulator effectively controls the public utility so calling it “private” is a bit of a stretch. More like a state controlled entity that trades on the stock market.