Cruel summer: California raises power rates

nearly 50 percent

SAN FRANCISCO
(March 27, 2001 4:28 p.m. EST) - Amid the jeers of protesters yelling "Hell, no, we won't pay," the state Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve rate hikes of up to 46 percent for California's two largest utilities.

Saying they had little choice but to approve the largest rate hikes in California history, the PUC commissioners voted 5-0 for increases for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison Co. that take effect immediately.

"The PUC has done all it can," commission President Loretta Lynch said. "We have fought back hard in every venue possible against these unjust energy prices."

Customers of publicly-owned utilities, such as the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, won't be affected.

Some ratepayers have labeled the plan a "rip-off" that would hit 10 million homes and businesses fighting to stay cool amid rolling blackouts and spiraling energy costs. The rate hikes will affect about 25 million Californians.

"Our bills have gone from $26 to $70 for a stinking studio apartment and we don't have a heater. We use the oven to heat up the studio," said Belinda Lazzerini, 40, who serves fruit smoothies at Jitters & Shakes in downtown San Francisco. "The laundromat has gone up from $1.50 to $3, so now we will have to clean our clothes by hand and dry them in the basement. It's crazy."

The PUC approved a proposal unveiled Monday by Lynch, who said she hoped the increases would force Californians to conserve more energy and would send a message to 'electricity hogs' to ease up on power usage.

The meeting was disrupted at least five times by screaming protesters. Before the meeting, four women led by former Green Party senatorial candidate Medea Benjamin stood in the PUC chambers with yellow signs saying "We Won't Pay."

News Copyright © 2001 Interest!ALERT

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