General Press Releases

Smart Meters: A Dumb Idea
TURN explains why "smart meters" are a dumb idea. In short, they're expensive, don't help you save energy and put your privacy at risk.
Will David beat Goliath on election night?
by NO ON PROP 16 and TURN
June 7th, 2010
PG&E has spent $46.1 million in a bold attempt to purchase constitutional protection for their monopoly. The No On 16 campaign, largely run by volunteers on a shoestring budget of $80,000, has amassed endorsements from over 60 newspapers, 100 municipalities, and scores of civic and environmental groups. The race is predicted to be close - here's how to reach No On 16 on election night,
CPUC expected to adopt turn shut off proposals Thursday, Feb 4
February 3rd, 2010
The CPUC will decide whether to follow TURN's recommendations to prevent utility shut-offs this Thursday, February 4th
TURN Defends Consumer Choice, Opposes Initiative to Lock In High PG&E Rates
January 13th, 2010
TURN's response to PG&E's unfair power grab
Smart consumers trump smart technology
by Mark ToneySan Francisco Chronicle
October 25th, 2009
Mark Toney writes in the San Francisco Chronicle that conservation and energy efficiency will save more energy than expensive, unproven smart meters.
Smart Meters Will Hurt Local Economy
September 4th, 2009
Labor Day Call to save 1,000 Jobs from being eliminated by SoCal Gas' Smart Meter plan
Industry Advocate Rachelle Chong: Deny Confirmation
TURN is urging senators to reject the nomination of Rachelle Chong to the CPUC because she acts against public interest, rejects public input and broke commitments made to the Senate Rules Committee.
More Efficient Energy Efficiency Programs
TURN pushes for efficiently-run energy efficiency programs and demands accountability from energy companies and state government
Edison General Rate Case Table
CPUC President Michael Peevey granted $843,000,000 more than the CPUC's own analysts recommended. Compare Peevey's giveaways to Edison to the original proposed decision.
CPUC President Peevey Delivers for Edison
February 19th, 2009
CPUC President Michael Peevey is giving his former employer, So Cal Edison, billions of dollars in rate hikes — millions more than the CPUC's own analysts recommended
So Cal Edison Wish List Delivered to CPUC President Peevey's Office on December 2
Notice of Ex Parte Communication between SCE representatives and CPUC President Michael Peevey's staff
CPUC’s Xmas Giveaway Nets Utilities $82 Million
Utility companies rewarded for energy efficiency standards they didn't meet
No Change, No Hope at CPUC
December 1st, 2008
Schwarzenegger reappoints reckless deregulators Rachelle Chong and Michael Peevey to the Public Utilities Commission. TURN Executive Director Mark Toney said consumer groups had hoped to see some fresh faces on the CPUC in 2009. “The Governor should appoint Commissioners who put affordability, accountability and sustainability first, rather than taking us back toward the dark days of reckless deregulation,” he said.
Feed-in tariffs—Right for Germany, Wrong for California
by Marcel Hawiger, TURN Staff AttorneySan Francisco Chronicle
November 19th, 2008
TURN attorney Marcel Hawiger explains how Californians can get "More Green for Less Green" and encourage renewable energy that doesn't force taxpayers and rate payers to spend more.
Big Businesses Should Pay Their Fair Share
June 17th, 2008
CARE for California- Why TURN is demanding that big business pay their fair share
Excessive Spending Driving Edison Rate Hikes
SoCal Edison wants to charge about $100 more a year per customer. Learn why it happened, how it will affect you, and how to fight it.
A national call for hanging out
by Mindy SpattTURN
April 18th, 2008
Clotheslines vs. climate change institute- read TURN's editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Mark W. Toney, Ph.D., Named TURN Executive Director
January 3rd, 2008
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) announces the appointment of nationally recognized consumer rights advocate Mark W. Toney, Ph.D., as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2008. Toney brings a wealth of organizing and nonprofit leadership, including 12 years of experience as a utility consumer advocate.
Former Commissioner Carl Wood to Head Board of TURN
September 26th, 2007
Wood is a nationally recognized expert on consumer issues who brings a wealth of experience and commitment to TURN’s board.
TURN FOUNDER SYLVIA SIEGEL DIES
August 18th, 2007
Legendary consumer activist Sylvia Siegel died peacefully in her sleep August 18th. As TURN’s founder and executive director for 16 years, Siegel saved California consumers billions of dollars.
Consumer advocates to CPUC: Monopoly phone companies are devouring consumers' paychecks
Letter to CPUC President Peevey: It’s now nine months after the Commission’s deregulation of telecommunications services in the state through its Uniform Regulatory Framework decision. It seems like a good time to gauge the success of this effort.
Telecom Service Increase Chart
Find out how much more you're paying since the CPUC deregulated phone service.
Governor Schwarzenegger's Worst Possible Rerun: Energy Deregulation
by Bob Finkelstein, Executive Director, TURNCalifornia Progress Report
July 3rd, 2007
Few reruns could be more unwelcome than a rerun of deregulation, and even fewer have been outlawed by the Legislature. But if the Governor and his representatives on the CPUC have anything to say about it, we'll all suffer through a remake of one of the worst chapters in our state's history, regardless of the law that prevents it.
Legislators Warn CPUC: No More Deregulation
May 24th, 2007
Letter from California legislators to CPUC commissioner Peevey warns against CPUC re-opening "direct access" for power companies.
Small Phone Consumers in California Will Pay for Video Dreams of Telephone Companies
by Lenny Goldberg, Legislative Representative, The Utility Reform NetworkCalifornia Progress Report
July 6th, 2006
Is it possible that the legislature can be unanimous, bi-partisan and absolutely wrong? Lenny Goldberg answers, yes, when it comes to telecommunications deregulation, and explains how.
Editorial: Remembering Enron’s Impact on California
by Mike Florio, TURN Senior Staff AttorneyCaliforniaProgressReport.com
June 5, 2006 -- Now that the verdict is in and Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling have been convicted of crimes unrelated to the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, the time is ripe for reflection on the enormous impact that a single company, Enron, had on the deregulation disaster that nearly bankrupted this state. While most of the public’s attention has focused on the various manipulative strategies, such as Death Star and Ricochet, that Enron’s traders employed to take advantage of consumers in California, the real story began much earlier.
Editorial: San Diegans Understand Need for Electricity Reform
by Bob Finkelstein, TURN Executive Director, and Michael ShamesThe San Diego Union-Tribune
October 12th, 2005
Proposition 80's objective is to say "never again!" to reckless energy policies. It puts California firmly on course toward a more reliable, stable and consumer-friendly energy future, and it does so by forbidding any future experiments with unregulated electric prices.
Smart Meters, A Dumb Idea
by Marcel Hawiger, TURN Staff AttorneySFGate.com
July 17th, 2005
In 2001, Californians responded to the meltdown of the deregulated electricity market with unprecedented conservation efforts. But those efforts are threatened by "smart" meters - an experimental program that is no more likely to benefit consumers than the deregulation experiment did.
Governor Says NO to Rational Energy Planning
by TURN
September 25th, 2004
San Francisco--Despite the unchallenged fact that the only way to prevent another energy crisis is to require the utilities and other power suppliers to rationally plan for the future, Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed AB 2006, legislation that would have required just that sort of planning. The veto confirms emerging concerns that special interests are in control of the Governor's energy policy and consumers have been shut out.
CPUC Sentences Consumers to More Frustration
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
October 30th, 2003
Decision ignores problems with SBC and Verizon phone service quality
UPDATED STATEMENT FROM TURN ON BANKRUPTCY SELL-OUT
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
June 19th, 2003
After quickly reviewing the settlement agreement released by the CPUC and PG&E, TURN estimates that the deal will cost customers much more than PG&E led the press to believe, at least $8.87 billion dollars.
"CHOICE" FOR BIG BUSINESS WILL BE SUBSIDIZED BY SMALL CUSTOMERS
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
June 10th, 2003
CPUC votes to keep "direct access" from CA's failed deregulation plan
PG&E EXEC DEMANDS MORE MONEY AT CPUC HEARING TODAY
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
June 9th, 2003
TURN will challenge PG&E's demand that customers pay it an additional half a billion dollars in excess rates.
TURN Statement on Proposed Edison Settlement
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
April 24th, 2003
Negotiated rate settlement a good deal for consumers, says TURN
TURN Challenges CPUC To Save PG&E Customers $5 Billion Hearing to be held at CPUC Wed. April 2 at 9:30 a.m.
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
April 1st, 2003
TURN presents a bankruptcy plan for PG&E that won't bankrupt ratepayers.
FERC's Pathetic Refunds: Too Little, Too Late
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
December 12th, 2002
Commission lets energy generators keep most of the money they gouged from Californians.
CPUC WANTS WELFARE FOR PG&E
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
November 18th, 2002
CPUC's bailout proposal offers PG&E almost $3 billion of taxpayers' money.
Enron Plays and Consumers Pay
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
November 7th, 2002
Thanks to a new CPUC ruling, the little guys will shoulder utilities' debt burden.
FERC Rewards Energy Companies With New Gouging Opportunities
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
July 7th, 2002
A Gift to Big Business From the CPUC
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
April 22nd, 2002
DAVIS CPUC APPOINTEES BARE TEETH, TAKE A BIG BITE OUT OF CONSUMERS
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
March 21st, 2002
END IN SIGHT FOR EDISON’S BACK DOOR RATE HIKES
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
March 4th, 2002
PG&E Customers Petition for Lower Rates
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
February 22nd, 2002
TURN Comments on the CPUC's Plan for PG&E
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
February 13th, 2002
PG&E Cannot Sweep Aside State Law to Enrich Shareholders
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
February 8th, 2002
Editorial: PG&E's Not Insolvent -- It's Just Greedy
by Nettie Hoge, Dennis HerreraSan Francisco Chronicle
January 25th, 2002
PG&E BANKRUPTCY WOULD FATTEN THE ALREADY FATTED CALF
January 8th, 2002
PG&E Wants to Go Bankrupt With $5 Billion in the Bank
PG&E Ignores State Law to Enrich Shareholders
December 19th, 2001
PG&E Discloses Plan to Eviscerate Consumer Protections
PG&E Reorganization A Masquerade for Robbery
September 20th, 2001
PG&E Bankruptcy A Cover For Robbery
CPUC IGNORES PUBLIC, CAVES IN TO INDUSTRY LOBBYING
TURN
May 15th, 2001
CPUC Caves In To Pressure, Raises Residential Rates
The Massively Overcompensated Utility: Why Governor Davis' MOU with SoCal Edison is Bad for Consumers
TURN
April 26th, 2001
Billions for Edison and Little for Consumers: Consumer Groups Issue Scathing Critique of Edison Deal
PG&E- the Wealthiest Bankrupt Company in the World
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
April 5th, 2001
CPUC Decrees: Consumers Will Pay More for Less
TURN
March 26th, 2001
$4.8 Billion Gift to Utilities
CONSUMER GROUPS OFFER LITMUS TEST FOR JUDGING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S ENERGY PLAN
February 15th, 2001
Criteria Establish a Baseline for Determining Whether Consumers Get a Fair Deal
Its In the Other Pocket- TURN Reveals Hidden Utility Assets
October 18th, 2000
PG&E and Edison Cook the Books to Justify Illegal Rate Hikes
Editorial: Deregulation Makes California's Future Dark
by Nettie Hoge, Executive Director, TURNSan Francisco Chronicle
October 9th, 2000
CPUC LETS CONSUMERS BLEED
TURN
August 3rd, 2000
New Protections for Victims of Slamming
March 2nd, 2000
CONSUMERS WIN NEW POLICY ON LOCAL DISCONNECTS
DYING FOR LNG
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
October 16th, 2003
TURN calls on natural gas importer to prevent further bloodshed in Bolivia.
TURN WINS RATE REDUCTION FOR EDISON CUSTOMERS
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
July 10th, 2003
Decrease will bring some relief to customers who need it most.
BAD SERVICE AND BANKRUPTCY PAY
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
March 7th, 2003
PG&E execs will be richly rewarded for a year that included a stalled bankruptcy plan and widespread outages at the first sign of rain.
Edison Bailout Dead, Sent to California Supreme Court For Burial
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
September 23rd, 2002
CPUC to Enron: Here’s Some Money You Missed the First Time
THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK
July 2nd, 2002
CONSUMERS BLAST BACKROOM UTILITY DEAL
TURN
December 18th, 2000
Editorial: Deregulation is Not the Answer
by Nettie HogeOrange County Register
TURN executive director Nettie Hoge argues for consumer-friendly regulation in the aftermath of the deregulation crisis. What we need is stronger and more independent regulators, not stronger and more independent energy companies.

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