Rep. Harder Introduces Bill To Ban Secret Meetings Between Utilities And Regulators

Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) introduced legislation Thursday that would prohibit private or undisclosed meetings between California utility companies and state regulators, following hearings on another potential PG&E rate hike. The Curb Private Utilities Corruption (CPUC) Act would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to make all interactions with the utilities it regulates publicly available online, a press release issued Thursday noted. “It’s absolutely insane that every time PG&E wants a rate increase the CPUC just gives it to them, no questions asked,” Harder said. “Valley families are paying way too much for electricity and they deserve answers as to why.” Harder noted that PG&E raised rates six times last year while earning nearly $2.5 billion in profits and is now s