Supreme Court Rules Consumers Have Right To Vote on Energy Policy

June 19, 2006, San Francisco, CA -- Today the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of consumers by reversing a lower court judgment that Proposition 80, the 2005 Electric Consumer Protection Initiative, was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court noted that although Prop 80 did not pass, the issue of whether or not the initiative process can be used to confer additional authority upon the CPUC is a vitally important one. TURN (The Utility Reform Network), sponsor of Prop 80, said the ruling affirms the right of the people of the state of California to have a voice in issues that have an enormous impact on their daily lives. "The energy companies that mounted this legal challenge to Prop 80 want to continue to use their money and influence to dictate energy policy in California" said TURN ED Bob Finkelstein. "Today's decision preserves the people's right to an alternative to corporate- driven energy policy." Finkelstein said that the ruling would empower consumers to take more of an active role in energy policy. "Deregulation, the biggest public policy mistake in California's history, was the result of Enron and other energy companies leading the Legislature and CPUC around by the nose. Today the Supreme Court has assured consumers that they have options when the CPUC fails to act on their behalf."