PUC

In 1984, the Legislature added various provisions to the Public Utilities Code, authorizing the Cahfomia Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to award compensation “for reasonable advocate’s fees, reasonable expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs” (Pub. Util. Code, § 1801) to utility customers who participate in PUC proceedings. In doing so, the Legislature directed that the provisions be “administered in a manner that encourages the effective and efficient participation [in PUC proceedings] of all groups that have a stake in the public utility regulation process.” (§ 1801.3, subd. (b).) To promote such participation, the Legislature authorized the PUC to compensate customers, not only for their work before the PUC, but also for “the fees and costs ... of obtaining judicial review” following a decision of the PUC. (§ 1802, subd. (a).)

We issued a writ of review to consider a challenge by Southern California Edison Company (SCE) to an award of compensation under the Intervenor Compensation Provisions. The PUC awarded the compensation to The Utility Reform Network (TURN), a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that actively participated in extensive PUC…