Outgoing CPUC Commissioner Ferron warns that the CPUC will be under intense pressure to protect the fossil fuel dependent utility providers (for us Southern California Edison and companies like AES):
"Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, with the passage of AB327, the thorny issue of Net Energy Metering and rate design has been given over to the CPUC. But recognize that this is a poisoned chalice: the Commission will come under intense pressure to use this authority to protect the interest of the utilities over those of consumers and potential self-generators [private solar generation systems] all in the name of addressing exaggerated concerns about grid stability, cost and fairness. You – my fellow Commissioners - all must be bold and forthright in defending and strengthening our state’s commitment to clean and distributed energy generation."
This bold statement demonstrates the conflict of interest the utility providers have in our energy procurement processes. We have already heard the testimony of AES and SCE at our own Council meetings that show how they are willing to skew data and employ grid stability scare tactics to justify rebuilding excess, unneeded natural gas capacity like AES' Redondo Beach power plant. It also shows that if the CPUC and CEC are not vigilant and cave in to this pressure, we consumers will pay more to fund this unneeded excess capacity.
Here is the link to the full letter: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D32220D6-0C9B-4413-A6F6-87C65E44AF2F/0/99FinalCommissionerReport...
