Any person present at a proceeding who wants to make a comment will be given an opportunity to do so on the subject matter of that proceeding. There are other ways to participate in addition to the right to comment. (California Code of Regulations, Title 20 Sec. 1202)

PROCEEDINGS

The business of the Commission is carried out in a variety of diverse meeting types. Proceedings can take the form of the regularly schedule Business Meetings, Orders Instituting Rulemaking, Orders Instituting Investigation, Applications for Certification, etc.

Business meetings and other Commission proceedings characteristically include public comment periods. The specific time for public comments in outlined in the proceeding agenda. It is typical in formal hearings or the Business Meeting to include:

BLUE SPEAKER CARDS

It’s easy to make comments at a proceeding. Blue cards are available for the orderly sequencing of speakers at proceedings. If you with to make oral public comments on agenda items, please fill out a blue card and hand it to the appropriate Commission representative. Your name will be called when it is your turn to comment.

When your name is called to speak, step up to the podium, clearly state your name for the record, spell your name and make your comments. Be aware that there are usually time limits set for comments in order to accommodate equal time for all commenters. At Energy Commission Business Meetings this is usually two minutes.

WEB-BASED

The California Energy Commission encourages public participation in its public meetings. To facilitate participation we broadcast many of our public meetings and workshops over the internet using WebEx online meeting service. Full details about the broadcast of a meeting can be found in the notice for that meeting.

WORKSHOPS and MEETINGS

Commission staff schedule meetings and workshops, often on a specific issue or topic. These are used to invite an open exchange among all parties, public interest groups, industry experts, etc.

NOTICE: Distributed by the Public Adviser's Office. This is for informational purposes only. It is designed to assist you in understanding the process. It is, therefore, general in nature and does not discuss all exceptions and variations.