Consumer watchdog group awaits major electric industry restructuring decision.SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1995--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, (PUC (Public Utility Commission) A regulatory body in every state in the U.S. that governs public utilities within its jurisdiction such as electricity, gas, oil, sewer, water, transportation and telephone service. Some states call it the Public Service Commission (PSC). ) is expected on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to issue a long-awaited recommendation endorsing some form of electric industry restructuring. Other jurisdictions around the nation will be evaluating California's decision, while California consumers consider the impact restructuring will have on their rates and service. Californians currently pay electric rates that are 50 percent more than the national average. Representatives of the California statewide consumer group Toward Utility Rate Normalization In relational database management, a process that breaks down data into record groups for efficient processing. There are six stages. By the third stage (third normal form), data are identified only by the key field in their record. (TURN) will attend the meeting and respond to media questions regarding a potential recommendation from the PUC. "In evaluating any PUC recommendation, TURN will seek electrical restructuring that ensures lower rates for residential and small business customers," said Nettie Hoge, executive director of TURN. "Lower rates for all customer classes was the original goal behind restructuring, and must not get lost in this process." TURN will use the following four criteria to evaluate any PUC recommendation: -- Will residential ratepayers and small businesses see lower rates in a competitive market than they would otherwise? Will they be able to access lower cost energy by aggregating customers within geographic areas so they can exercise purchasing power Purchasing Power 1. The value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy. Purchasing power is important because, all else being equal, inflation decreases the amount of goods or services you'd be able to purchase. 2. in the market? -- Who will pay for "stranded investments" -- ratepayers or utility shareholders -- and how much? -- To the extent that ratepayers shoulder these "stranded costs," will all ratepayers -- residential/small business and large commercial/industrial users -- be required to bear their fair share? -- Will the rules for the new "competitive" market prevent the utilities from wielding wield tr.v. wield·ed, wield·ing, wields 1. To handle (a weapon or tool, for example) with skill and ease. 2. To exercise (authority or influence, for example) effectively. See Synonyms at handle. undue market power? "Most of the debate surrounding restructuring has focused on the large utilities and their industrial customers, disregarding the concerns of millions of residential and small business customers," Hoge added. "Public policies must not ignore the public." TURN representatives will be available for comment at the PUC meeting -- 9 a.m., Dec. 20, 505 Van Ness Van Ness may refer to: People
For a two-page fact sheet on the issue of electric industry restructuring, call Robin Kane at TURN. CONTACT: TURN Nettie Hoge/Mike Florio/Robert Finkelstein, 415/929-8876 |
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