Mission
of CMUA
The mission of the California Municipal
Utilities Association is to advance the interests of its member agencies
through:
• Monitoring legislative bodies and governmental agencies on issues of concern to member agencies - representing and advocating municipal utility interests on those issues.
• Encouraging and facilitating exchange of information, innovation, and productivity improvements to increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of publicly owned utilities.
• Assisting publicly owned utilities and their customers to prepare for and take advantage of future change.
• Promoting a positive image and enhancing public confidence in publicly owned utilities.
Most of CMUA's effort involves representing its members' interests before the Legislature and the maze of regulatory bodies, including the State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Health Services, Department of Water Resources and California Energy Commission. The association monitors the activities of the administrative agencies, presents testimony and participates in rule-making. Legislation is followed on a day-to-day basis, and the association's Legislative Committee meets frequently when the Legislature is in session to set policy and adopt positions on bills.
CMUA is a leader in serving the interests of its member utilities in a variety of ways.
Water Transfers
CMUA has been in the forefront
of supporting voluntary water transfers. This allows water to be transferred
from areas of abundance to areas of shortage, while protecting the investments
made in water utility infrastructure.
Water Rates Survey
CMUA compiles an annual
water rates survey for member agencies. This survey is a useful tool for
our water utility members.
FARECal (the Financing
Authority for Resource Efficiency of California)
CMUA formed FARECal which
is the first statewide joint powers agency created specifically to finance
water and energy conservation and efficiency programs through pooling financial
resources. CMUA successfully sponsored legislation spelling out the authority
of joint powers agencies such as FARECal to issue revenue bonds to finance
water and energy conservation programs.
Public Benefits Guide
Book
In 1999 CMUA published a
Directory
of Public Benefits Programs. The report outlines well proven and innovative
public benefit programs being conducted by California’s consumer owned
utilities as well as other successful programs for the consideration of
California’s publicly owned systems.
Communications
Communication is maintained
through the association's monthly Utilities Forum newsletter, Legislative
Reports, frequent member mailings and utilization of CMUA’s web site www.cmua.org
CMUA also conducts seminars, workshops and meetings dealing with matters
that arise affecting water and energy utilities.
Utility Restructuring
CMUA coordinated its member’s
lobbying efforts and played a significant role in shaping AB 1890 as it
applies to municipal electric systems. CMUA, and its member electric utilities,
successfully lobbied for local control. Publicly owned utilities were allowed
to maintain control over there systems. This has resulted in strong advantages
in the current market structure.
Committees
CMUA's committees are active
throughout the year in areas of mutual concern, such as legislative, commercial
activities, energy services and marketing, and telecommunications. Committees
do additional surveys from time to time in order to chart members' concerns
and industry trends.
Annual Conference
CMUA's annual conference
brings officials of publicly owned utilities together with government and
industry policy makers, representatives of scientific, environmental, technological
and economic interests to share information and views. The conference is
held in spring, alternating between northern and southern California.
Governing Board
CMUA is governed by a 19-member
Board of Governors representing large and small utilities from throughout
the state. The board meets quarterly. Any public or municipal utility is
eligible for membership, as are joint action agencies. Private organizations
may become associate members. These include financial, engineering, telecommunications,
management consultants and similar organizations and individuals providing
services to the utility industry.
One Voice
The impact of the utilities
acting together in concert is considerably greater than the power of even
the largest individual utility. Some publicly owned utilities may go several
years without specific legislative or administrative problems; yet they
need to belong to a strong association. They always have need for an organization
to represent them on general issues. When the need arises for concerted
legislative action, that need becomes urgent. Maintaining active participation
in an association speaking for all utilities is an insurance policy.
It insures against adverse developments and assures that specific critical
needs can be dealt with as they arise.
DSM-Model Plan & Energy
Services Guide
CMUA and member electric
utilities produced the first statewide Model Plan for Energy Efficiency,
an effort which attracted national attention and praise from a variety
of energy organizations, including the California Energy Commission. Recently,
a Model Energy Services Guide was developed, reflecting the move
toward competition.
Legislation Introduction
Besides monitoring and testifying
on legislation, CMUA sponsors bills on behalf of member utilities and the
utility industry. For example, CMUA sponsored and obtained enactment of
legislation to allow the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to issue
short-term revenue bonds to have more flexibility in financing. This type
of specific service is available to all CMUA utility members. CMUA also
sponsors legislation benefiting all of its members such as the ultra low-flush
toilet bill, which required all new construction (as
of 1/1992) to install ultra low-flush toilets using
no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. In an era of continuing state budget
deficits and the constant search by state agencies for additional sources
of funding, it is even more critical that utilities be represented by a
strong, active association.