Climate Change Fraud - Because the debate is not over - Some Calif. utility customers targeted for $600M think tank bill

Some Calif. utility customers targeted for $600M think tank bill

Written by The Associated Press

Friday, 11 April 2008

Customers of privately owned utilities in California will fund a $600 million think tank charged with fighting global warming, under a plan approved Thursday by the Public Utilities Commission.

Commission President Michael Peevey pushed to create the California Institute for Climate Solutions. It's envisioned to bring together academic and private laboratories to quickly find ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric and gas utilities regulated by the state commission would fund the program by collecting $60 million a year for 10 years. Peevey said the surcharge would add 25 to 30 cents per month to customers' bills.

The institute must raise matching funds.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and several environmental groups are among the project's supporters.

But some lawmakers and consumer groups have lined up against it. They have called the program an unfair tax on customers of privately owned Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Co., Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric.

The commission, Peevey said, doesn't have the authority to assess customer's of government-owned utilities.

John Bohn was among those commissioners wary of the plan. Before Thursday's vote, he conceded the program "pushes the boundaries of our duty and our jurisdiction almost to the breaking point."

He went on to vote for the institute. He later said it could make positive contributions "with proper and vigorous commission supervision."

State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata is on the record as opposing the surcharge-funded think tank.

"I think it's a singularly bad idea," Peralta said in February. "I don't know if there's anything that we can do about it during the budget, but if I can, I assure you I will." Source