NEWS
News Articles Featuring POC
The California Wildfires, PG&E, And The Energy Grid
89.9 Radio interviews Loretta Lynch, Former California Public Utilities Commission President and Board Member of The Protect Our Communities Foundation. Radio Interview: "The California Wildfires, PG&E, and the Energy Grid"
Concerned about power shortages, utilities commission bumps up resource requirements
San Diego Union Tribune By Rob Nikolewski Nov. 7, 2019 But critics say the extra power is not needed Worried about a “significant possibility” of a shortfall in the state’s power system within two years, the California Public Utilities Commission voted 5-0 Thursday to...
San Diego renegotiating utility franchise agreement for the first time in 50 years
San Diego Union Tribune By Rob Nikolewski Oct. 11, 2019 Deal signed in 1970 with SDG&E about to expire For the first time in nearly half a century, the city of San Diego is preparing to renegotiate a franchise agreement that gives San Diego Gas & Electric the...
U.S. Supreme Court rejects SDG&E appeal to pass $379 million in wildfire costs to ratepayers
San Diego Union Tribune By Rob Nikolewski Oct. 7, 2019 The money stemmed from the 2007 wildfires that ripped through San Diego County The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it will not hear San Diego Gas & Electric’s appeal of a California Supreme Court case that...
SDG&E will not have to buy the Otay Mesa Energy Center for $280 million
The San Diego Union Tribune By ROB NIKOLEWSKI October 1, 2019 Instead, the utility signs a 59-month power purchase contract with Texas-based Calpine San Diego Gas & Electric will not have to pay $280 million to take over the 608-megawatt Otay Mesa Energy Center...
9th Circ. Backs BIA Green Light Of Wind Farm Construction
Law 360 By Keith Goldberg Law360 (September 23, 2019, 7:37 PM EDT) -- The Ninth Circuit on Monday upheld the Bureau of Indian Affairs' approval of the second phase of a California wind farm, saying the agency properly considered the project's potential to harm eagles...
POC Blog and Press Releases
Open Forum: Proposed wildfire fund a reckless giveaway that echoes Enron crisis
Op-ed by POC Board Member, Loretta Lynch The San Fransisco Chronicle July 7, 2019 A rush to judgment with untold consequences for electricity costs, safety oversight and wildfire victims is being jammed through the Legislature this week. Lawmakers should hit the...
Coalition of Environmental & Consumer Groups Challenges Backdoor Attempt by SDG&E & SoCalGas to Expand Natural Gas Usage in San Diego
June 3, 2019 Press contact: Bill Powers, Protect Our Communities Foundation, 619-917-2941 Taking a giant step backward from the California Public Utilities Commission’s (“Commission”) unanimous denial in June 2018 of the San Diego Gas and Electric Company...
San Diego Should Make the Most of Once-in-a-Generation Shot to Re-Examine SDG&E Deal
Voice of San Diego March 27, 2019 By: Bill Powers and Jay Powell If we are going to allow a for-profit utility to use our streets, sidewalks and parkways for electric service, let’s get the best deal for our city, for future generations and for the environment. Power...
PUC DENIES ILL-CONCEIVED SAN DIEGO PIPELINE PROPOSAL!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE San Francisco, CA June 21, 2018 Taking an important step in the right direction towards weaning California off its fossil fuel addiction, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted unanimously today to deny an application by utility...
JUDGE ISSUES A PROPOSED DECISION AGAINST SAN DIEGO GAS PIPELINE! TAKE ACTION!
Join the Protect Our Communities Foundation in its fight against this ill-conceived and environmentally damaging pipeline proposal! May 2, 2018 By: Jamie Pang, POC Legal Fellow SDG&E and SoCalGas’s attempt to saddle San Diego with a dirty, expensive, and unneeded...
POC Is Hiring!
POC is hiring a Staff Attorney with state date as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Staff Attorney Job Description POC is seeking an experienced attorney that can step into our full docket before the CA...