CPUC TO HOLD HEARING OCT. 1 IN SAN DIEGO ON WHETHER RATEPAYERS SHOULD PAY SDGE'S SAN ONOFRE COSTS

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September 4, 2013 (San Diego) – On the heels of a hefty rate increase that took effect September 1st, SDG&E wants  ratepayers to  pay for $808 million in costs of decommissioning the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations.  Ratepayer advocates, meanwhile, say ratepayers should receive a refund for charges assessed when the nuclear facility was off-line for more than a year before being shut down permanently.

The California Public Utilities Commission will hold two hearings on Tuesday, October 1 at 2 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Al Bahr Shriners auditorium, 5440 Kaerny Mesa Road, San Diego 92111. The commission will consider whether or not ratepayers should be charged for the decommissioning costs, as well as whether ratepayers should receive refunds for charges assessed while the nuclear facilities were offline for more than a year before the shut-down decision.

Opponents argue that SDG&E shareholders, not ratepayers, should foot the bill for mistakes made by SDG&E and Southern California Edison.  Records obtained by California Senator Barbara Boxer revealed that the utilities covered up knowledge of faulty equipment that led to leaks at the aging facility north of San Diego. 

From the CPUC website:  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/aboutus/pph.htm

The CPUC opened this multiphase investigation to consolidate and consider issues raised by the extended outages of Units 2 and 3 at SONGS. Generally, the proceeding is focused on any warranted refunds to ratepayers or rate reductions. The Phase 2 Evidentiary Hearings on October 21-25, 2013 will consider the removal from rate base of non-useful capital assets at SONGS. Other phases of the proceeding have or will address other SONGS-related cost issues. These Public Participation Hearings are an opportunity for the CPUC to hear from the public about how the CPUC should adjust rates as a result of the non-operation of SONGS. 

The presiding Administrative Law Judge will set the Agenda and determine speaking times. During the first hour of the Public Participation Hearings, local government representatives will be given priority for public comment. Members of the public who wish to address the CPUC must sign in at the Public Participation Hearings and will be called upon in the order listed on the sign-in sheet. Community-based organizations and other groups are encouraged to identify one or two speakers to represent the views of the organization’s members.

Administrative Law Judges Darling and Dudney, along with Commissioner Florio, will be representing the CPUC at the meetings in San Diego.


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