Mike Florio, one of California’s five top energy regulators, made an unprecedented public apology Thursday for his role in recently divulged private e-mail communications between himself and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) concerning a pending regulatory case (see Daily GPI, Sept. 16).
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State, Local Officials Seek Investigation of PG&E, CPUC
State and local elected officials from around San Bruno, CA, on Friday called for California Attorney General Kamala Harris to investigate the latest revelations of inappropriate state regulator-utility contact evolving from Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) pending natural gas system rate case (see Daily GPI, Sept. 16).
Heads Roll as PG&E Divulges Internal Regulatory Scandal
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) dropped a grenade on state regulators Monday, admitting a number of inappropriate contacts between utility and regulatory staff over the past five years. The initial fallout has cost the jobs of three PG&E executives and a top aide to the state’s chief regulator, Michael Peevey, who himself has been accused of violating ex-parte rules.
CPUC Judges Recommend Largest Fine Ever for PG&E
In four decisions that could go through a still-lengthy review process, two California regulatory commission judges on Tuesday recommended $1.4 billion in penalties against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) for the fatal San Bruno natural gas transmission pipeline rupture and explosion four years ago (see Daily GPI,Sept. 13, 2010).
Regulators Give PG&E $460M Rate Hike With Safety Ties
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., still facing multi-billion-dollar penalties for its natural gas system safety lapses, was granted a 2014 general rate increase of $460 million, or 6.9% above current rates, by California regulators Thursday with heavy implications for its current and future safety programs. This case is separate from still-pending pipeline penalty cases (see Daily GPI, May 7, 2013).
Consumer Watchdog Alleges CPUC-PG&E Rule Violations
As another one of the negative twists in the nearly four-year-old saga of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) and the fatal September 2010 natural gas transmission pipeline rupture in San Bruno, CA, the consumer watchdog The Utility Reform Network (TURN) on Tuesday charged both the utility and state regulators with malfeasance in handling the aftermath of the tragedy.
Settlement Reached on Closed California Nuke Plant
In a move that, longer term, will impact California's network of natural gas-fired electric generation plants, a multi-billion-dollar settlement was reached Thursday among the two principal utility owners, state regulators and consumer representatives for handling utility customer charges tied to the closed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations (SONGS) in Southern California.
California Leaves Room for Gas-Fired Generation
While stressing preferences for renewables and energy conservation, California regulators on Thursday left the door open for new natural gas-fired generation when they approved plans for replacing the output of a closed nuclear plant and several older gas-fired plants along the Southern California coast.
PG&E Fine Refund Stirs Concerns on San Bruno Penalty
California’s state regulatory commission safety unit last Friday refunded to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) a $375,000 fine paid earlier in the year for decades-long shortcomings in the utility’s natural gas transmission pipeline safety programs.
CPUC Slams PG&E with $14M Fine, OKs Higher Pipe Pressure
California regulators on Thursday applied both the carrot and the stick to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) natural gas pipeline operations.