Press Room
TURN's attorneys and analysts are happy to comment on news involving telecommunications and the gas and electric power industries. If you need a quote or background for a story, call our media department at (415) 929-8876 and ask for our media director, Mindy Spatt. Her direct extension is 306. She'll see that you get the right source in a timely manner. If you would like to receive TURN's newsletter and our regular news releases, please add your name to our media list
Recent Press Releases
CPUC Fails to Enforce “Just and Reasonable” Phone Rates—Concludes Senate Report
by TURN
July 16th, 2010
by TURN
July 16th, 2010
TURN praises a scathing report released by a non-partisan research office of the California Senate documenting the failure of the CPUC to adequately protect consumers in the wake of its 2006 decision to deregulate phone rates for California’s four largest telephone companies.
PG&E’s Powergrab Defeated by Grassroots Campaign
by TURN
June 9th, 2010
by TURN
June 9th, 2010
California voters sent a resounding message to PG&E yesterday that their constitution is not for sale.
Will David beat Goliath on election night?
by NO ON PROP 16 and TURN
June 7th, 2010
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,
So Cal Gas Customers Shut Out of Smart Meter Debate
April 7th, 2010
April 7th, 2010
CPUC makes decision on The Gas Company's unnecessary smart meters without hearing from southern California customers it will effect.
Recent Editorials
Smart consumers trump smart technology
by Mark Toney, San Francisco Chronicle
October 25th, 2009
by Mark Toney, San 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.
Feed-in tariffs—Right for Germany, Wrong for California
by Marcel Hawiger, TURN Staff Attorney, San Francisco Chronicle
November 19th, 2008
by Marcel Hawiger, TURN Staff Attorney, San 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.
A national call for hanging out
by Mindy Spatt, TURN
April 18th, 2008
by Mindy Spatt, TURN
April 18th, 2008
Clotheslines vs. climate change institute- read TURN's editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Governor Schwarzenegger's Worst Possible Rerun: Energy Deregulation
by Bob Finkelstein, Executive Director, TURN, California Progress Report
July 3rd, 2007
by Bob Finkelstein, Executive Director, TURN, California 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.
Recent Backgrounders
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.
Unlimited Local Calling Threatened
A CPUC Commissioner has proposed changing the definition of basic telephone service to limit the number of minutes that a customer gets for “basic service fixed rate.” Once a customer hit a pre-established amount of minutes, every call they made or received would be charged by the minute, including incoming calls, calls to “toll free” numbers, time spent on hold and even unwanted calls from telemarketers.
Chart: AT&T Calls in its Chips for Chong
A table of individuals and organizations who wrote letters supporting the nomination of Rachelle Chong to the CPUC and donations they have received from AT&T according to public record
AT&T Calls in its Chips for Chong
The largest phone company in California is behind a carefully orchestrated campaign to keep their favorite Commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission for another 6 years.
Recent Accomplishments
TURN wins kinder, gentler shut off policies
February 4th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
CPUC adopts TURN's recommendations to prevent utility shut-offs.
