Welcome to the Utilities Department. Valerie Fong is the department director. The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is the only municipal utility in California that operates city-owned - utility services that include electric, fiber optic, natural gas, water and wastewater services. Since 1896, CPAU has been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto. Customer Support Services - Customer Services and Meter Reading provide responsive customer service related to customer account management, billing, and monthly meter readings. Marketing Services provides tailored services and support to residential, commercial and industrial customers through existing programs including public benefit programs. Fiber Optics staff is responsible for providing fiber optic services to the business community and telecommunication carriers in Palo Alto. Engineering - Electric and Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering staff prepares customer connections, work plans, cost estimates, equipment specifications, and standard drawings for the utilities distribution system. The Engineering division also administers the Capital Improvement Budget for the Electric, Water, Gas, and Wastewater utilities. Electric & Water-Gas-Wastewater Operations - The Electric and Operations staff is responsible for constructing and maintaining all transmission and distribution electric facilities in the City of Palo Alto. WGW Operations oversees maintenance, repair, replacement and new installation of all Water-Gas-Wastewater services, mains, water transmission facilities, and meters. The Field Services crew responds to customer emergency calls. Resource Management - This group is responsible for obtaining and managing the electric, gas and water resources that come into Palo Alto. It analyzes, manages and executes purchase and sales of electricity, gas and water assets, and acts as liaison to regional and joint power agencies, and intervenes in regulatory and legislative proceedings at the state and federal levels to protect and further Palo Alto’s interests. The Rates staff ensures sufficient revenue is generated to meet financial obligations while minimizing the bill impact on ratepayers through the planning of rate changes in conjunction with the use of cash reserves and capital financing.