December 05, 2024 at 11:00am
Darcie L. Houck, Commissioner
Commissioner Darcie L. Houck was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by Governor Gavin Newsom on Feb. 9, 2021. She formerly served as Chief Counsel for the California Energy Commission since 2019.
Commissioner Houck was an Administrative Law Judge at the CPUC from 2016 to 2019, a Partner at Fredericks Peebles & Morgan from 2005 to 2016, and Staff Counsel and Policy Advisor at the California Energy Commission from 2000 to 2005.
Commissioner Houck has expertise in matters concerning environmental equity, nuclear energy regulation, and safety policy. She has an extensive background representing Native American tribes throughout the country on matters involving energy, natural resources, land claims, and water rights, among others.
Commissioner Houck is a member of the California Indian Law Association, California Lawyers Association, Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court, Women Lead and the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment. She earned a law degree from the University of California, where she also earned a Master of Science in community development.
Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) to Consider Revisions to Tribal Land Transfer Policy (TLTP) Implementation Guidelines
On January 14, 2021, the CPUC approved Resolution E-5076 and the TLTP Implementation Guidelines. Resolution E-5076 ordered that within two years of its approval, the CPUC would consider opening a proceeding to consider revisions to the Implementation Guidelines. The TLTP was developed to provide an opportunity for Native American Tribes to regain lands within their ancestral territory that are currently owned by CPUC jurisdictional utilities. The TLTP establishes the CPUC’s preference for the transfer of real property to Tribes when investor-owned utilities (IOU) plan to dispose of real property within a Tribe’s ancestral territory. The OIR is intended to further efforts by the CPUC, in recognition of and respect for Tribal sovereignty, to prioritize the return of aboriginal lands to their rightful Tribal ownership.
The OIR will also consider the CPUC’s Tribal Consultation Policy and mechanisms to enhance participation by Tribes in the CPUC’s proceedings and programs. The CPUC will conduct outreach and consultation with California Tribes to seek input on the appropriate scope of the proceeding and provide information about the OIR, including how to participate in the proceeding.
For more information, or to request a consultation with Commissioner Houck, please contact Commissioner Houck’s Chief of Staff, Karin Sung, at Karin.Sung@cpuc.ca.gov and CPUC Tribal Advisor, Ken Holbrook, at Kenneth.Holbrook@cpuc.ca.gov.
September 16, 2021 Tribal Consultation on DER Action Plan and High DER Rulemaking
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Darcie L. Houck invites tribal members to participate in a Tribal Consultation on the draft CPUC Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Action Plan 2.0 and “High DER” Rulemaking on September 16, 2021 from 9 am to 12 pm. The purpose of the consultation is to share information about the draft DER Action Plan 2.0 and High DER Rulemaking with tribes interested in engaging with these efforts, and to provide a dedicated forum for tribes to provide input on these efforts in addition to or without needing to become formal parties in CPUC proceedings.
News
May 19, 2022: CPUC Expands Broadband Grant Rules To Increase Deployment Throughout California
April 7, 2022: CPUC Adopts Updates to Environmental and Social Justice Action Plan
April 7, 2022: CPUC Mobilizes Community Based Organizations for Pilot Program To Help Consumers With Utility Debt
February 24, 2022: CPUC Acts To Increase Broadband Deployment Throughout California
February 14, 2022: CPUC To Hold Hearing on Affordability of Essential Utility Services
February 10, 2022: CPUC Acts To Enhance Tribal Land Transfer Policy Implementation Guidelines
June 30, 2021: CPUC Commissioner Houck Confirmed by State Senate
February 17, 2021: CPUC Welcomes New Commissioner Houck
February 9, 2021: Governor Gavin Newsom appoints Darcie Houck to the CPUC
Upcoming Events
December 19, 2024 at 11:00am
Contact
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Request a meeting with Commissioner Houck
Request Commissioner Houck speak at or attend your event
Staff
Karin Sung
Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor
Amanda Singh
Deputy Chief of Staff and Energy Advisor
Victor Smith
Energy, Water, and Communications Advisor
Niki Bawa
Advisor
Kerriann Sheppard-Johnson
Advisor
Ed Moldavsky
Advisor
Lydia Park
Associate Governmental Programs Analyst
Vira Eison
Administrative Assistant
Commissioner Code of Conduct
We Want To Hear From You
The California Public Utilities Commission requests local government participation in the CPUC Broadband Survey for Local Governments!
This survey will help the CPUC assess each community's broadband assets, broadband needs, and interest in participating in state grant programs. In addition, it will help establish a point of contact for the CPUC to communicate directly with local governments that need assistance with meeting their broadband needs.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X8WWRHX
Please provide responses by May 30th, 2022! While the survey will remain open, timely responses will ensure the CPUC is able to focus engagement and funding to meet the needs of your community.