“These reforms mark a new beginning for the CPUC,” Gatto said in a written statement. “These reforms will change how this commission does business,” Brown said in a written statement. The reorganization announced Monday would also transfer regulation of the fast-growing ride-hailing industry from the CPUC to the California State Transportation Agency. Jerry Brown and lawmakers announced a broad overhaul of the state’s main energy regulator on Monday, a response to a scandal involving the agency’s decommissioning of a Southern California nuclear facility and criticism in its handling of new technologies including Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing companies. Many, including CPUC executives, have said that the existing structure for regulating Uber and Lyft is outdated and lacking expertise needed to protect consumers and drivers while also allowing for the companies’ growth.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 27, 2016 18:06 UTC