Tag Archives: Michael Picker

San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Brown’s Veto Damages PUC Reform Effort

by The Editorial Board, San Jose Mercury News

PG&E pipeline ignites an explosion in San Bruno 9/10/2010.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s rejection of crucial reforms of the scandal-plagued California Public Utilities Commission is appalling. … The six bills Brown vetoed would have tightened the rules on communications between utility executives and PUC members to try to halt the pattern of wink-and-nod backroom deals. The most egregious example was helping PG&E get the judge it wanted for a rate-setting hearing. The legislation also outlined simple standards for when a commissioner should be disqualified from a case and added requirements for public meetings. Read More ›