Could this be the end of California's Public "Futility" Commission?
UCAN News
Changing of the CPUC guard
could be good news for YOU
At the urging of UCAN, at least one of
Governor Brown’s new appointees is a
prominent consumer advocate.
The California Public Utilities Commission,
(CPUC), was chartered more than 100 years ago
to regulate monopoly utility rates. But over time,
regulatory agencies have a way of being run by the
same people the agency is supposed to regulate. For
example, the current President of CPUC is Michael
R. Peevey, the former CEO of Southern California
Edison. Under Mr. Peevey’s tenure, CPUC’s focus
has been so aggressively pro-utility that the Commission has lost sight of its obligation to protect
consumers.
Complaint to Governor Brown
In December of 2010, UCAN’s Executive Director wrote Governor Brown requesting the appointment of a consumer advocate to CPUC. To our
delight, Governor Brown responded by appointing
Mike Florio, a consumer attorney and a 32-year
veteran of many CPUC battles at the respected
consumer group TURN, The Utility Reform Network. Two other new appointees are Catherine J.
K. Sandoval, a law professor from Santa Clara University, and an expert on telecommunications law,
and Mark Ferron, an investment banker. Commissioners at CPUC are paid $128,000 a year and are
appointed for six-year terms.
At the urging of UCAN and TURN, at least one of
Governor Brown’s new appointees is a prominent
consumer advocate.
The California Public Utilities Commission, (CPUC), was
chartered more than 100 years ago to regulate monopoly
utility rates. But over time, regulatory agencies have a
way of being run by the same people the agency is supposed
to regulate. For example, the current President of CPUC is
Michael R. Peevey, the former CEO of Southern California
Edison. Under Mr. Peevey’s tenure, CPUC’s focus has been
so aggressively pro-utility that the Commission has lost sight
of its obligation to protect consumers.
Complaint to Governor Brown
In December of 2010, UCAN’s Executive Director wrote
Governor Brown requesting the appointment of a consumer
advocate to CPUC. To our delight, Governor Brown responded
by appointing Mike Florio, a consumer attorney and a 32-year
veteran of many CPUC battles at the respected consumer group
TURN, The Utility Reform Network. Two other new appointees
are Catherine J. K. Sandoval, a law professor from Santa Clara
University, and an expert on telecommunications law, and
Mark Ferron, an investment banker.
Commissioners at CPUC are paid $128,000 a year and are
appointed for six-year terms.
This story originally appeared the June, 2011 UCAN Watchdog which is distributed to UCAN Members by mail in advance of being published on our Web site.
Learn about UCAN's benefits of membership HERE.
Other stories from the June 2011 UCAN Watchdog
Obituary for Dr. Sue Ann Macomber
SDG&E seeks $250 million rate hike
Sunrise appeal rejected
Utility Gripe? Complain to the UCAN Fraud Squad
Regulators are going to the Dark Side
Could this be the end of California's Public "Futility" Commission?
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Tags: California Public Futility Commission - California Public Utilities Commission - California Public Utility COmmission - CPUC - J.K. Sandoval - Mark ferron - Mike Florio - New Commissioners at PUC - PUC -
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