Michael Peevey, long-time president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is under fire from state utility consumer group The Utility Reform Network (TURN) for allegedly railroading through the commission a research project that could cost private sector energy customers up to another $150 million. TURN is urging state lawmakers to “rein in” Peevey for apparently pushing through CPUC an arrangement between Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the state’s major investor-owned utilities to create a cooperative research institute. CPUC plans on Thursday to consider authorizing the utilities to cover research project costs with LLNL of up to $152.19 million.

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