Operating Principals

Over-Arching Operating Principles

  • CMUA will further the interests of its members and their customers through proactive advocacy to influence the framing and outcome of legislative and regulatory activities.
  • CMUA will protect the interest of its members and their customers through constructive participation in legislative and regulatory processes.
  • CMUA will collect information concerning publicly owned utilities and the value of local governance, and disseminate such information to its members and to jurisdictional legislative and regulatory bodies.
  • CMUA has and will be governed by Bylaws as revised from time to time by its members.
  • CMUA will operate based on a clear set of solution oriented positions developed through consensus based decision-making when possible and through establishing and communicating a minority position when consensus is not achievable.
  • CMUA will operate through the strong leadership of its staff and its policy committees.
  • CMUA will build and nurture alliances with legislative and regulatory staffs as well as industry agencies and leaders.  CMUA will coordinate with other utility organizations.
  • CMUA members will communicate and coordinate their individual legislative and regulatory efforts with CMUA staff and other members.  At a minimum, members will insure CMUA receives timely notice of individual actions.
  • CMUA will provide forums for discussion and sharing of data regarding issues and practices relevant to its membership.
  • CMUA will present a clear message regarding the benefits of locally controlled utility services.
  • CMUA will actively identify current or future issues of relevance to its members and their customers, and will work within its membership to prioritize the issues so that attention is appropriately given to those issues of highest priority.
  • CMUA policy positions will always strive to strengthen public utilities.
  • CMUA will provide an open forum to create and promote unity amongst its members to ensure the future success of California’s publicly owned utilities.
  • CMUA will demonstrate leadership in the development of sound environmental practices and principles for the utility industry.