Judgment

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali has denied Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s request for a summary judgment against the alternative reorganization plan proposed by the California Public Utility Commission.

Following through on previous threats of legal action, PPL Montana yesterday asked a federal court to declare efforts by the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to regulate sales from the company’s power plants as being unconstitutional.

On a strictly partisan 3-2 vote, California regulators Thursdayblocked attempts by the state’s two near-bankrupt investor-ownedutilities to cut their work forces and services in order toconserve cash while awaiting a settlement with the state on theirfuture financial viability. Responding to an emergency request froma coalition of utility workers’ unions, the California PublicUtilities Commission’s (CPUC) action means proposed staffinglayoffs of several thousand regular and contract workers, totalinghundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs, will nothappen.