Intervenor Compensation Program
The Intervenor Compensation Program Guide and Forms have been revised to incorporate changes resulting from the enactment of Senate Bill 512. Effective April 4, 2017, Intervenors must submit notices of intent to claim compensation and requests for compensation awards on the updated forms.
Effective March 2023, the Commission will be changing the way it refers to the Intervenor Compensation Fund in decisions authoring payment from the Intervenor Compensation Fund. Those decisions will now state that the California Public Utilities Commission will pay the award rather than the Commission’s Intervenor Compensation Fund. There is no change to the Commission’s use of the Fund or how intervenors will be paid by it.
To stay up-to-date on Intervenor Compensation Program changes please join our service list by e-mailing: icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov
Program Information
The California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) is responsible for assuring that California utility customers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, for protecting utility customers from fraud, and for promoting the health of California’s economy. As a public agency, the Commission depends on input, questions, and feedback from the general public. By hearing from different perspectives, the Commission is better able to make informed decisions that consider the impact of utility costs and services on all Californians. The California Public Utilities Code allows qualified parties in proceedings before the Commission to request compensation for their participation (allowable fees and costs). The Intervenor Compensation Program is intended to ensure that individuals and groups that represent residential or small commercial electric utility customers have the financial resources to bring their concerns and interests to the Commission during formal proceedings. Please refer to the Intervenor Compensation Program Guide for specific inquiries on how to participate in the program.
Intervenor Compensation Program Guide
Forms to Formally File
REMINDER: In order to timely process your NOTICE OF INTENT and/or CLAIM please send a WORD version to icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov as soon as you file and serve your documents.
- Notice of Intent (NOI) must be filed and served within 30 days after the Prehearing Conference is held; OR in cases when no Prehearing Conference is scheduled, at the date determined by the presiding Administrative Law Judge.
- Intervenor Compensation Claim must be filed within 60 days after a decision closing a proceeding is issued, except in limited circumstances.
- An excel timesheet, documenting all claimed hours must be filed with an Intervenor Compensation Claim in order to be considered complete.
REMINDER: In order to timely process your NOI and/or CLAIM please send a WORD version to icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov as soon as you file and serve your documents.
Program Reports
Check the Status of your Claim HERE
The California State Auditor audited the Intervenor Compensation Program in 2012. Findings of the audit were released by the State Auditor in July 2013.
Intervenor Hourly Rate Information
Market Rate Study
In response to a finding of the State Auditor, the Intervenor Compensation Program completed a Market Rate Study. The Market Rate Study Final Report establishes new intervenor role classifications, a comprehensive description of each classification, and new rate ranges for each classification. The below spreadsheet provides new hourly rate ranges for various occupational types - legal, experts, and advocates - based an intervenor's level of experience ranging from entry level to senior personnel.
Intervenor Compensation Market Rate Study Final Report
Hourly Rate Chart (Effective January 1, 2021)
Hourly Rates Prior to 2021
The hourly rate table below provides information on previously adopted Intervenor hourly rates prior to January 1, 2021. For edits or questions regarding the rate table please e-mail icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov.
Hourly Rate Chart (Pre-2021 Adopted Rates)
Rate Resolutions
The Intervenor Compensation Program adopts an annual resolution which establishes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to update hourly rates in compensation awards.
- Resolution ALJ-393 (Adopting Intervenor Compensation Market Rate Study and Addressing Related Matters)
- Resolution ALJ-387 [2020] (Adopting a 2.55% COLA for 2020)
- Resolution ALJ-357 [2019] (Adopting a 2.35% COLA for 2019)
- Resolution ALJ-352 [2018] (Adopting a 2.30% COLA for 2018)
- Resolution ALJ-345 [2017] (Adopting a 2.14% COLA for 2017)
- Resolution ALJ-329 [2016] (Adopting a 1.28% COLA for 2016)
- Resolution ALJ-308 [2015] (Declining to adopt a COLA for 2015)
- Resolution ALJ-303 [2014] (Adopting a 2.58% COLA for 2014)
- Resolution ALJ-287 [2013] (Adopting a 2.00% COLA for 2013)
- Resolution ALJ-281 [2012] (Adopting a 2.2% COLA for 2012)
- Resolution ALJ-267 [2011] (Declining to adopt a COLA for 2011)
- Resolution ALJ-247 [2010] (Declining to adopt a COLA for 2010)
- Resolution ALJ-235 [2009] (Declining to adopt a COLA for 2009)
- Resolution ALJ-184 [2004] (Resolution adopting the process of setting Intervenor hourly rates)
Decisions Addressing Rate Setting Guidelines
Helpful Links
Decisions Addressing Intervenor Compensation Program History
- Amendments to the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure
- Important guidelines for Intervenors seeking compensation
Contact Us
505 Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor/ALJ Division
San Francisco, California 94102
Ph: (415) 703-1652
Icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov
Public Advisor’s Office
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2103
San Francisco, California 94102
Fax: (415) 703-2411
Ph: (866) 849-8390
Public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov