The California Public Utilities Commission just established a foundation to provide funds for CPUC educational programs. Large utilities such as PG&E paid up to $20,000 per table at a fundraising gala in San Francisco last week attended by Governor Jerry Brown.
“Let us count the ways this is a bad idea,” says the San Francisco Chronicle, in its January 27 article California PUC, foundation are too darn cozy. “The aftermath of the September disaster in San Bruno has raised many disturbing questions about the regulator’s seemingly deferential approach to PG&E on matters of safety regulation…A PUC foundation bankrolled in part by utility dollars is only going to advance that perception…”
The event drew protesters accusing the CPUC of poor oversight leading up to the explosion in San Bruno, and citizens who have been petitioning the CPUC to halt smart meter installations state-wide.
Articles on the new foundation and last week’s protests:
CPUC launches new controversial foundation
Assemblyman Jerry Hill blasts PUC over utilities’ contribution to PUC foundation
Glendale Water and Power was unaware of the new foundation, and sent no money or staff to the fundraising event, according to Atineh Haroutunian, GWP Public Benefits Coordinator.