Regulator fines utility $1.05M over emails lobbying for preferred administrative judge in rate case
A gas company has been fined $1.05 million by the California Public Utilities Commission over ex parte emails in which it successfully lobbied to have the judge its officials preferred preside over an administrative rate-setting case.
A spokesman said Pacific Gas & Electric would appeal the penalty, which also includes as much as $400 million in “reparations” to customers, reports the San Francisco Business Times.
“There is no disagreement that the emails in question were inappropriate, and as we have acknowledged, we believe that some of them violated the CPUC’s rules,” said PG&E in a written statement.
However, because the misconduct was self-reported by the utility to the commission and because it has taken multiple corrective measures, including terminating three executives, the penalty is too harsh, the gas company argues.
The commission “imposes sanctions that aren’t warranted and that may go beyond the CPUC’s legal authority. As a result, we will appeal the decision,” the statement concludes.
Hat tip: Associated Press.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Utility faces contempt hearing for lobbying to choose judge in $1.29B rate case linked to fatal fire”
Environment & Energy Publishing: “Calif. regulator–PG&E email will ‘follow me to my grave’ “
San Francisco Chronicle: “PG&E got $29 million in ‘corrupt deal’ with state, group says”
