About CPAU

The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) history began over one hundred years ago, in 1896, when the water supply system was first installed. Two years later, the wastewater or sewer collection system came online in 1898. In 1900, the municipal electric power system began operation, followed in 1917 by a natural gas distribution system. Palo Alto is the only city in California to own and operate six essential utility services, including refuse and storm drain (operated out of Public Works). In 1996, Palo Alto ventured into a new endeavor with the construction of its dark fiber loop. 

Origins

It was the forward thinking of two Stanford University professors, Charles Marx and Charles Benjamin Wing, who were largely responsible for the emergence of the municipally owned utility service in Palo Alto. Marx and Wing argued that the City could provide utility service at rates significantly below those charged by private companies.  One of the founding principles of those early pioneers was that the utilities must show a financial return to the community. In the most recent fiscal years, the electric and gas utilities provided millions in financial support to community services such as libraries, parks, police and fire protection.  These contributions to the community do not occur in areas served by private power companies. This makes Palo Alto a unique place to live and work.

CPAU is an award-winning utility recognized nationally as innovative, and a leader in reliability, safety, environmental sustainability, workforce development, and system improvement. Dig into the facts and figures about each of the municipal utility services we provide.

Utilities at a Glance

As a community, Palo Alto is committed to demonstrating leadership on the path to a sustainable future. Palo Alto has a deep history of pioneering new and ambitious approaches to sustainability. Since 2013, Palo Alto has provided 100% carbon neutral electricity and, as of July 1, 2017, we also provide 100% carbon neutral natural gas. Together, we’ve made Palo Alto a world leader in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, our efforts don't end with the use of 100% carbon neutral electricity and natural gas. To meet Palo Alto's GHG emission goals, we need to continue to prioritize efficiency, reduce single-occupancy-vehicle travel, and consider switching to electric vehicles and high-efficiency electric appliances.

Carbon Neutral Electricity & Natural Gas

Our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project is replacing old legacy electric meters with new advanced electric meters and retrofitting existing water and gas meters with AMI radios. The new and upgraded meters are able to provide near-real time data on energy and water consumption. This allows residents and businesses to monitor ongoing utility consumption data and make informed decisions on their usage. This is a benefit to customers and a way for us to provide more effective utility services. 

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

The Palo Alto City Council approved the 2018 Utilities Strategic Plan on March 19, 2018. The Utilities Strategic Plan is intended to achieve the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) mission to provide safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective services. The goal of the Strategic Plan is to ensure maximum alignment between CPAU’s resources and activities with the City Council’s policy direction and to guide CPAU in successfully advancing the City’s vision and priorities.

CPAU is in the process of updating the Utilities Strategic Plan with a renewed focus on its strategic direction and specific actions and/or initiatives to be carried out by staff over the next three to five years.

Utilities Strategic Plan

Governing rules and regulations set forth the conditions under which the City of Palo Alto provides utility services from both the Utilities Department (electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, fiber optic) and the Public Works Department (refuse, stormwater). The rules are adopted by City Council and updated on an as-needed basis to reflect current standards and business practices. 

Utilities Rules and Regulations