Big victory for energy consumers.SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 1995--Utility consumers statewide declared a major victory after today's unanimous 5-0 vote by the California Public Utilities Commission The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC; also often commonly referred to as simply the PUC) [1] is a state Public Utilities Commission which regulates privately-owned utilities in the state of California, including electric power, (CPUC CPUC California Public Utilities Commission CPUC Current Procurement Unit Cost ), which reduced ratepayer-financed electric and natural gas programs to $132 million from original requests of more than $600 million. "This is a big win for energy consumers, and represents a savings of nearly $470 million from the rate increases originally sought by the utilities," said Nettie Hoge, Executive Director of the utility consumer group Toward Utility Rate Normalization (TURN). Manufacturers and businesses joined with consumers in praising the Commission's decision. "This is an important decision for California business because it reduces utility rate increases for these programs by nearly 80% from original requests," said Bill Campbell, president of the California Manufacturers Association. "Just as importantly, it recognizes the principle that utility shareholders -- not ratepayers -- should pay for risky electric vehicle programs." The utility ratepayer-financed electric and natural gas vehicle programs came under intense opposition from state legislators as well as consumers, business, transportation, senior, oil, agriculture and minority organizations. "This is good news for California energy consumers," said Assemblyman Mickey Conroy, vice-chair of the Assembly Utility and Commerce Committee and author of the consumer protection law (AB 3239) on which this decision is based. "But this doesn't mean we can let our guard down," said Conroy. "I have no doubt the utilities will be back again for more of our money if we don't keep an eye on them!" These utility rate increases have been opposed by a large and diverse coalition objecting to ratepayer funding of profit-making projects more appropriately paid for by utility shareholders. Among coalition members are Toward Utility Rate Normalization (TURN), the California Manufacturers Association, Congress of California Seniors, Utility Consumer Action Network (UCAN UCAN Utility Consumers' Action Network (California) UCAN Utah Communications Agency Network UCAN Uhlich Children's Advantage Network UCAN Ultra-wideband Concepts for Ad hoc Networks ), Latin Business Association, Retired Public Employees Association, National Assocation for the Hispanic Elderly, Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union (AFL-CIO AFL-CIO: see American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. AFL-CIO in full American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations U.S. ), United Agribusiness League, Congress of Racial Equality Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), civil-rights organization founded (1942) in Chicago by James Farmer. Dedicated to the use of nonviolent direct action, CORE initially sought to promote better race relations and end racial discrimination in the United States. (CORE), Western States Petroleum Association, California League of Food Processors, National Federation of Independent Business The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a lobbying organization with offices in Washington, D.C. USA, and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB claims a membership base in excess of 600,000. (NFIB), American Frozen Food Institute American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is a trade association and lobbying group based in McLean, Virginia for manufacturers and distributors of frozen food. AFFI promotes frozen food to consumers and other groups, and organizes conventions for its members. , Consumer Federation of America The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, education and advocacy. According to CFA's website, its members are approximately 300 consumer-oriented non-profits, which themselves have , Pacific Egg and Poultry Association, California Business Alliance, Apricot Producers Association, California Highway Users Conference, California Seed Association, California State Floral Association, People's Advocate, Nisei Farmers League, Seniors for Action -- and tens of thousands of California citizens. CONTACT: Californians Against Utility Company Abuse Barbara Simpson, 415/340-0470 |
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