TURN WINS $35 MILLION IN REFUNDS FOR PG&E CUSTOMERS
The Utility Reform Network today won $35 million in refunds for thousands of PG&E customers. In ordering the refunds, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) agreed with TURN that PG&E's unfair and illegal billing practices in 2000-2004 had harmed hundreds of thousands of customers, and that the company's shareholders should bear the costs of correcting PG&E's errors.
"This is the justice customers have been waiting for," said TURN staff attorney Hayley Goodson. "PG&E's blatant violations of rules governing back-billing resulted in shut-offs, over payments and other difficulties for consumers. As of today, PG&E will pay the costs of its own mistakes."
In ordering the refunds, the CPUC found that:
- Over 3,400 customers had their power shut-off for nonpayment of illegal back-bills.
- PG&E should pay reconnection fees and credits to customers shut off between 75 and 150 days of receiving illegal back-bills.
- Over 225,000 customers received illegal back bills during the time in question
- All customers illegally back billed by PG&E suffered harm.
- PG&E should make all reasonable attempts to locate deserving customers.
"Customers are entitled to accurate and timely bills, and before pulling the plug PG&E should make sure they have provided that," Goodson said. "This is a welcome example of the CPUC making sure PG&E does not trample on consumers' rights."
