Utility Bill Increases & Options Available to Help The prices that the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) and other utilities in the region pay for natural gas and electricity delivered to customers have risen significantly this year. Read more for ways to save now and other steps you can take to reduce energy bill costs. Switch Your Water Heater Switching to electric is better for your health, your wallet, and the environment. Manage your Water Use with WaterSmart Learn how to save water during California’s drought with WaterSmart, a new City online water management tool. 2023 is the Year of the Electric Vehicle The City of Palo Alto Utilities is hosting dozens of free electric vehicle workshops and webinars this year. Visit cityofpaloalto.org/workshops to learn more and register. Water Conservation and Drought Updates California is in a drought. Stay up to date on drought updates, conservation tips, water use restrictions, etc. Water conservation is a way of life! Take Advantage of the Business Advantage Program The Business Advantage Program is designed to help customers save energy, money, and improve indoor air quality while recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The prices that the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) and other utilities in the region pay for natural gas and electricity delivered to customers have risen significantly this year. Read more for ways to save now and other steps you can take to reduce energy bill costs.
Switching to electric is better for your health, your wallet, and the environment.
Learn how to save water during California’s drought with WaterSmart, a new City online water management tool.
The City of Palo Alto Utilities is hosting dozens of free electric vehicle workshops and webinars this year. Visit cityofpaloalto.org/workshops to learn more and register.
California is in a drought. Stay up to date on drought updates, conservation tips, water use restrictions, etc. Water conservation is a way of life!
The Business Advantage Program is designed to help customers save energy, money, and improve indoor air quality while recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The City of Palo Alto is proud to offer residents and businesses a full suite of City-owned and operated utility services including electricity, natural gas, water, sanitary sewer, and commercial fiber optic services. Director Dean Batchelor welcomes you on behalf of all City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) employees. We have been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto since 1896. Our mission statement is to provide safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective services. Staff are available to answer your service questions and look forward to assisting you with all your utility needs.
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Utilities Director Dean Batchelor welcomes you on behalf of all City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) employees. Palo Alto is the only city in California that owns and operates a full suite of municipal utility services, including electric, fiber optics, natural gas, water and wastewater. We have been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto since 1896.
We work hard to provide you with services that are competitively priced, highly reliable, safely delivered and sustainably produced. As a public utility customer, you can take pride in knowing that you benefit from local policy control, fair and competitive rates, well-maintained infrastructure and caring customer service. CPAU is owned by the people we serve — you! Important decisions are made locally, by your elected officials.
Our mission statement: to provide safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and cost effective services.
Learn more about CPAU's Strategic Direction, Values and Priority focus areas:
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 on line 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.
It was the forward thinking of two Stanford University professors, Charles "Daddy" 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. This has continued to be a priority. In the most recent fiscal year, 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.
Organization Giving Award or Recognition
Person/Program Receiving Award or Recognition
Title and Description of Award or Recognition
American Public Power Association (APPA)
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Voice of the People Award for Excellence in Natural Environment
2017 Platinum Level Beacon Award Winner
City of Palo Alto Water Enterprise
Moody's upgraded the City's Water Enterprise bond rating from Aa2 to Aa1, a rare event for water operations.
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Top Ten list of utilities that integrated the most solar into the grid. #3 on the Watts-per-Customer list for 2015.
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Tree Line USA Utility - In recognition of quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting, and public education
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Tree Line USA Utility - In recognition of quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting, and public education
(650) 329-2161 Email Utilities Customer Service Utilities Emergency Dispatch: (650) 329-2579
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Monday and Friday: Appointment Only Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed
For appointments please call Utilities Customer Service or book an appointment online.
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250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301