2007 California Public Utilities Code Article 1. Intent

CA Codes (puc:6350)

6350.  There is hereby created a surcharge to be applied to natural
gas and electricity transported over utility and nonutility
transmission or distribution systems, or both, constructed under,
along, across, or upon the public streets, ways, alleys, and places
within a municipality, to replace, but not increase, franchise fees
that would have been collected pursuant to this division if not for
changes in the regulatory environment such as the "unbundling" of the
gas industry.