NO TO UTILITY RATE INCREASE

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Greenlining, community protest at CPUC for moratorium

SAN FRANCISCO—In an effort to help California’s ratepayers avoid $5 billion dollars in utility rate increases, The Greenlining Institute along with community leaders and taxpayers protested at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) building in San Francisco last December 18.

By 2010, or before there is a full recovery from the recession, the CPUC will have before it, over $5 billion rate increases from all the major utilities in California like PG & E, Southern California Edison and SEMPRA (San Diego).

"This is the worst time to do that," said Sam Kang, Managing Attorney for The Greenlining Institute. "The severe economic recession and the high unemployment, it’s not right."

Dozens of ratepayers, most who were up as early as 4am and travelled all the way to the city to join the protest, testified at a full commission hearing at the CPUC Auditorium. Earlier that morning, CPUC President Michael Peevey addressed the ratepayers, along with other commissioners.

"We take our responsibility seriously," said Peevey and added, "We would also like to make sure that people are protected in these tough economic times through our programs."

Commissioners Dian Grueneich also spoke to the crowd and said, "We tend to get caught up in the details that we forget that there are real people."

In a press release given by Greenlining, it stated that utility CEOs contend that only the affluent who use a lot of energy will face any increases. But the release explains that there are no exemptions for small or even very small businesses and that all ratepayers will face increases, with only a few opportunities to be energy efficient.Testimonies

During the hearing, members and organizations of The Greenlining Institute spoke in front the commission. Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Jr. of the Allen Temple Baptist Church started with a prayer that sent out the message to the CPCUC to declare a moratorium on raising utility rates.

Pastor Smith also shared the story of a family living in the Peninsula who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning due to a makeshift heater they made to keep warm during this cold season after PG & E cut off their electricity.

"One out of five houses in California cannot pay their utilities on time," said Kang during the hearing. "We are expecting these numbers to be exponentially higher next year. We are in a great depression, especially in the underserved communities."

Faith Bautista, Executive Director of Mabuhay Alliance, Inc., a San Diego-based Filipino non-profit organization said, "Many small businesses are closing down because they cannot get credit. It’s sad, but it’s out there. The commission should listen to the people you are serving. Be sympathetic, do the right thing."

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