Consumer Federation of California

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Soon after the California Public Utilities Commission adjourned its meeting late last month, Commissioner Michel Florio headed north to Napa County, where he was the keynote speaker at the summer general meeting of a trade group that represents energy providers.

Among other activities, the Western Power Trading Forum convention featured a spa day, a golf outing at the Silverado Resort & Spa, dinner hosted by the Calpine Corp. and other energy firms, an after-hours reception and a late-night poker game.

Florio, whose private emails and other communications with utility executives have drawn scrutiny from state and federal investigators, said there was nothing improper about attending an industry event at a time the commission is under investigation for its close ties to businesses it regulates.

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