Congress Josh Harder has introduced federal legislation aimed at reining in out-of-control rate hikes by shutting the revolving door in Sacramento between state regulators and PG&E lobbyists.

Harder’s End PG&E Lobbying Act prohibits former commissioners of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from working as lobbyists for PG&E or other California utilities for two years after leaving the commission.

Harder, D-Tracy, contends that weak ethics rules have allowed PG&E to gain unchecked power by recruiting the very regulators trusted to control them: 

*Nearly half of CPUC commissioners since 2015 go on to lobby for it after leaving office.

*Despite massive public outcry, PG&E managed to raise rates six times in 2024 while raking in $2.5 billion in profits, and wants to raise rates again through 2030.

*Years ago, PG&E got away with a slap on the wrist for shameless backdoor lobbying of regulators.

“For too long, Californians have watched regulators walk out the door and straight into high-paying lobbying jobs with the very companies they were supposed to oversee, all while Californians pay the price,” Harder said.

“That revolving door undermines public trust and raises serious questions about whose interests are really being served when utilities win rate hikes or regulatory favors.”

The CPUC plays a central role in approving rate increases, safety standards, and operational rules for investor-owned utilities across California.

When former commissioners are able to immediately lobby the commission on behalf of those utilities, it creates the appearance, and in many cases the reality, of conflicts of interest that tilt the system against consumers.

This bill builds on Harder’s continued efforts to protect Californians from unfair utility cost increases, including his Stop the Rate Hikes Act to stop PG&E’s endless price increases.