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NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORUM
(Public Participation Hearing)
Application of Southern California Gas Company Requesting Approval
of Branch Office Closures
(A.25-05-001)
How can I participate?
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would like to hear from you. You are invited to participate in a Public Participation Hearing (PPH) to receive comments from the public about SoCalGas's proposal to close its remaining 43 branch offices.
These PPHs are part of the formal CPUC proceeding A.25-05-001 that will be transcribed and placed into the formal record so the CPUC can make an informed decision about SoCalGas's request. At these hearings, you can make comments or raise concerns to the CPUC's Administrative Law Judge overseeing this proceeding.
Where and when will the PPHs be held?
A total of six PPHs will be held, with four in person and two held remotely. A quorum of commissioners may attend, but no decisions will be made or voted on at these PPHs.
| DATE & TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2026 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. (IN-PERSON PPH ONLY) | Glendale City Council Chambers 613 E. Broadway; 2nd Floor Glendale CA, 91206 |
| February 2, 2026 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. (IN-PERSON PPH ONLY) | Santa Ana Council Chambers 22 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
| February 6, 2026 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. (REMOTE PPH ONLY) | Phone Number 1-800-857-1917 Passcode: 1673482# Dial *1 (star one) if you wish to comment Webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/ |
Please note:
If you need a language interpreter, or other specialized accommodations, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office using the contact information at the end of this notice at least five business days before the PPH you expect to attend. The in-person PPH locations are ADA accessible.
For in-person PPHs, if you wish to make a public comment, please sign up at the Public Advisor’s Office table. The webcast for the remote PPHs will have English and Spanish captions available. Your participation by providing your thoughts on SoCalGas’s request can help the CPUC make an informed decision.
Why am I receiving this notice?
On May 2, 2025, SoCalGas filed its Branch Offices Closure Proposal Application with the CPUC to close its remaining 43 branch offices. SoCalGas’s branch offices provide customers the ability to pay their bills in-person, inquire about their accounts, and complete other service transactions.
SoCalGas’s branch offices have become an increasingly under-utilized service channel. Technological advancements and evolving customer preferences towards conducting transactions over the internet and telephone have enabled customers to access reasonably comparable customer service through alternative self-service channels and have reduced customers reliance on in-person branch office interactions. Further, reasonably comparable alternatives for in-person bill payments are available through Authorized Payment Locations (APLs), with 394 locations in SoCalGas’s service territory compared to the remaining 43 branch offices. The APLs have similar payment processing capabilities, thereby reducing the need for branch offices.
SoCalGas’s closure proposal supports customer affordability through expected annual savings, consistent with the CPUC’s decision approving other Investor-Owned Utilities’ (IOUs) closure of remaining branch offices.
Contact CPUC
Parties to the proceeding are currently reviewing the application, including the Public Advocates Office. The Public Advocates Office is an independent consumer advocate within the CPUC that represents customers to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels.
For more information, please call 1-415-703-1584, email PublicAdvocatesOffice@cpuc.ca.gov, or visit PublicAdvocates.cpuc.ca.gov.
Written public comments may also be provided at any time during the proceeding in the "Public Comments" tab of the Docket Card for A.25-05-001, available at: apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2505001. For additional information, updates on the hearings, and an information sheet about the proceeding, please visit cpuc.ca.gov/pph.
If you have questions about CPUC processes or need special accommodations, you may contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at:
Email: Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Phone: 1-866-849-8390 (toll-free) or 1-415-703-2074
Mail: CPUC Public Advisor's Office
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Please reference SoCalGas's Branch Offices Closure Proposal Application (A.25-05-001) in any communications you have with the CPUC regarding this matter.
Where can I get more information?
Contact SoCalGas
If you have questions about this application, please contact SoCalGas at:
Phone: 1-877-238-0092
Email: KHuliganga@socalgas.com
Mail: Kristine Huliganga Regulatory Case Manager for SoCalGas
555 W. 5th Street GT14D6
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Branch Office Closure FAQs
SoCalGas has submitted a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to close its remaining 43 branch offices in response to changing customer preferences and to support long-term affordability. Processing customer service transactions at the branch offices, which are almost entirely bill payment transactions, is not cost-effective when compared to other service channels. SoCalGas incurred approximately $19 million to operate branch offices in 2024. Eliminating the expenses associated with operating branch offices will generate cost savings that benefit our customers long term.
Customer preferences have shifted toward online, phone, and third-party payment options. The proposed closures reflect overall customers’ growing preference for alternative payment options, and SoCalGas will continue to offer accessible alternatives to meet those needs. Approximately 95% of customer transactions at branch offices were for bill payments; however, this only accounts for approximately 2% of all bill payment transactions.
The average cost per transaction at a branch office is approximately $13.34, compared to $0.07 for processing online payments, $0.59 for processing a payment through mail, and $1.75 for processing a payment made at an APL.
SoCalGas has approximately 400 Authorized Payment Locations (APLs), contracted to meet ADA Accessibility standards, in grocery stores and other retail locations throughout its territory that can process in-person payments for customers. Almost 100% of customers that have utilized branch offices have access to two Authorized Payment Locations within a 3-mile radius of a branch office.
In addition to APLs, customers can choose from an array of reasonably comparable, accessible and convenient bill payment options, which include: My Account; Bill Matrix (online pay by credit card); mail; direct debit; electronic check; pay by text or pay by phone.
While most customers who use branch offices have two APLs within 3-miles of their current location, SoCalGas plans to support branch customers, including low-income, elderly and disabled individuals through educational workshops and community meetings, while continuing to offer accessible, comparable payment alternatives, and service channels.
SoCalGas’s proposal includes at least 60 days’ notice to potentially affected customers before branch office closures. During that time, it will conduct extensive outreach in partnership with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to engage vulnerable customers. Additionally, educational workshops and multilingual communications are planned to support awareness and adoption of alternative payment methods.
While this proposal focuses on responding to customer preferences and reducing costs, we recognize the impact on our employees.
SoCalGas has been discussing these plans with impacted employees since 2023 and will work closely with Union representatives to provide resources and identify potential opportunities for employees whose roles would be eliminated.
Yes. Southern California Edison Company (SCE), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) have closed all their branch office locations and offer in-person payment options at similar third-party locations as SoCalGas’s APLs.
The CPUC previously approved closure of four SoCalGas branch offices; SoCalGas has completed all required studies, self-assessments to confirm controls are operating effectively, and outreach efforts outlined in prior CPUC decisions.