Tag Archives: CPUC
After Reforms, CPUC Can Still Have Private Meetings With Utilities
by Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times
For years, state lawmakers have been trying to crack down on private meetings between utility companies and members of the California Public Utilities Commission after revelations that top officials and industry executives had frequent dinner dates, shared talking points and even sketched out details of the multibillion-dollar closure of a Southern California nuclear power plant during a secret rendezvous. Read More ›
PG&E Convicted Of Obstructing Blast Probe, Breaking Safety Laws
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Prosecutors in the criminal case initially sought a fine of up to $562 million, which they said was twice the amount PG&E saved by illegally cutting safety programs. Read More ›
PG&E, In Deal With Consumer Groups, Asks For Smaller Rate Hikes
by David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
If state regulators approve, PG&E’s average monthly bill for residential customers will rise 50 cents in 2017. The utility initially proposed a monthly increase of $4. Read More ›
Prosecutors In PG&E Case Abruptly Reduce Potential Fines
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Abruptly and without explanation, federal prosecutors slashed potential criminal penalties for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. from $562 million to $6 million Tuesday while a jury was considering whether the company violated safety laws both before and after the lethal 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno. Read More ›
PG&E Customers Face Triple Whammy In Gas And Electric Bills
by George Avalos, East Bay Times
Before Monday’s hike, total monthly bills for residential customers averaged $145.36. Once all the approved and proposed increases are in effect, monthly power bills could jump to $158.21. Read More ›
PG&E Slammed At Trial As Feds Rest Their Case
by Libby Rainey, San Francisco Chronicle
The prosecution’s final witness testified under cross-examination Thursday that PG&E breached the investigation of the September 2010 pipeline explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes by “pre-interviewing” witnesses in at least two instances. Read More ›
Engineer Calls Years Of PG&E Safety Cuts ‘Near Criminal’
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
The crux of the prosecution is that PG&E, contrary to its stated policy, consistently sacrificed safety for profits. Read More ›
Edison Calls Settlement That Left Consumers On Hook For $3.3 Billion Reasonable
by Ivan Penn, Los Angeles Times
Consumer advocates filed their own arguments Thursday in favor of reconsidering the settlement. They argue that Edison should be held responsible for the premature closure of San Onofre in June 2013 after faulty replacement steam generators were installed at the plant. Read More ›
First Audit In 20 Years Finds A Lot Wrong With The Agency That Regulates Your Utilities
by Jeff MCDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune
The General Services review is supposed to be conducted every three years, but the audit released Wednesday is the first such examination in more than 20 years. Officials did not explain why General Services failed to conduct legally required audits before. Read More ›
PG&E Monthly Gas Bills Set To Jump About 11 Percent
by George Avalos, East Bay Times
PG&E customers must brace for a double-digit increase in their monthly gas bills after state regulators Thursday approved a program to pay for upgrades to the utility’s aging pipeline system in the wake of the deadly San Bruno explosion. Read More ›
Prosecutor Begins PG&E Trial With Blistering Opening Statement
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
After the September 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes, PG&E “made a deliberate choice to not follow these … safety regulations,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hallie Hoffman, the lead prosecutor, said in her opening statement in a packed federal courtroom. Read More ›
AB 2395: AT&T Wants To Disconnect Millions Of California Landlines
According to the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, about 16.5 million traditional copper land lines remain in service in California. AT&T’s bill would create a pathway for phone companies to abandon residential land lines in 2020, even in areas where an adequate alternative phone option does not exist. While many consumers now have cell phones or IP phones as well as land lines, about 2.3 million Californians live in a home that only has a landline. AB 2395 will eliminate both customer choice and the current requirements for Carriers of Last Resort that ensure all Californians have access to reliable essential phone services. Read More ›
State Regulators Reopen Case On San Onofre Nuclear Plant
by Ivan Penn, Los Angeles Times
The ruling follows a $16.7-million fine in December [against Southern California Edison] … imposed because of Edison’s failure to report back-channel communication between Edison representatives and commission representatives. … The closure led to a settlement agreement approved by the utilities commission. Under the deal, the plant’s owners — Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. — would pay $1.4 billion in reactor closing costs; their customers were left on the hook for an additional $3.3 billion. Read More ›