Jerry Brown made some appointments to the PUC, and considering the recent tilt towards the businesses they are regulating, it’s a good start.
Attorney Michael Florio, 58, of Oakland has been appointed to the PUC after spending more than three decades representing ratepayers on behalf of the nonprofit consumer advocacy group TURN, The Utility Reform Network. Also named to the commission was Catherine Sandoval, a telecommunications expert and Santa Clara University law professor.
TURN is an excellent organization, and Florio has been a huge part of its growth. I don’t know all that much about Sandoval, but she certainly has the background for the position.
We’ll see if we can get some real reform. After PG&E tried to buy their own regulation in the form of Prop 16, its an industry that needs some new perspectives.
In much the same way that lenders can’t seem to prove who owns mortgages anymore, PG&E doesn’t have documentation on its gas pipelines. Both are clear examples of corporations run amok, and AWOL regulators. Only the mortgage mess is only putting people out on the streets. The PG&E problems did that, plus cost people their lives. Clearly our public utilities need adult supervision. I hope this means they’ll get it.
In much the same way that lenders can’t seem to prove who owns mortgages anymore, PG&E doesn’t have documentation on its gas pipelines.
NTSB investigators have discovered that PG&E claimed the San Bruno pipeline had no welds, but had no documents to back this up. After the fatal explosion, investigators found a failed weld was the cause.
Both mortgage lenders and public utilities are clear examples of corporations run amok, and AWOL regulators. Only the mortgage mess is only putting people out on the streets. The PG&E problems did that, plus cost people their lives.
Clearly our public utilities need adult supervision. I hope this means they’ll get it.
More like GREAT Appointments to the PUC!
Every Californian ought to be thrilled at Governor Jerry Brown’s appointment of Michael Florio’s appointment to the PUC.
For those who may not remember the hosing that the ratepayers took as deregulation was foisted upon us by a bipartisan legislature (especially looking at you Steve Peace!), TURN – with Florio at the helm was one of the very few voices for the ratepayers. Gray Davis fretted and fumbled, Loretta Lynch looked for political cover, David Freeman self-dealt (in my opinion) and Arnold Schwarzenneger rushed to fill the power vacuum.
The ginned up electrical crisis was the largest transfer of wealth out of California since the gold rush.
If our once again Governor continues to make appoinments of citizens of the caliber of Michael Florio, there may be good reason to hope for brighter days ahead.
I could not think of a better choice.