ACTION ALERT! Call Today To Stop SB 671!

Posted on July 6, 2005 by oregoncub
Tags, Legislative & Political

Senate Bill 671, the Oregon Mutual Utility Bill, has passed the Senate and passed out of House Committee. We expect it to be scheduled for a floor vote in the Oregon House of Representatives later this week.

This is unfortunate, because SB 671 plays fast and loose with the fundamentals of Oregon utility regulation. It would permanently redefine the powers of the Public Utility Commission, it would open the door for any other entity to use ratepayer dollars to purchase PGE, and it leaves unanswered a long list of questions about governance, cost structures and accountability to customers.

The purpose of SB 671 is simple. Some businessmen want to purchase PGE, but need ratepayer money to do so. They claim that they will give us a say in running the company, but have refused to answer our questions about how this would work. This lack of disclosure, despite our repeated calls for details, suggests that these businessmen don’t know what the answers are, or don’t want us to know. Either way, it can’t be good.

The success of their bill in the State Senate is a testament to the power of influential lobbyists at the expense of good public policy. While the 3 major residential, commercial and industrial utility consumer groups have all opposed this bill, 2 lobbyists recently cited by the Oregonian (“High rollers win the Salem game” 07/05/05) as being top donors to last year’s legislative campaigns have been hired as proponents of the bill. The campaign finance reform mantra, “follow the money,” has never been more appropriate than in the movement of SB 671.

We ask that all CUB members call their Representative in the Oregon House today or tomorrow, telling them to Vote NO on SB 671 (503-986-1000), and that you call Governor Kulongoski asking him to veto the bill if it reaches his desk (503-378-4582). Then forward this web address to three friends who live and pay utility bills in Oregon.

This Oregon Mutual Utility Bill—which we have called a mutant utility bill, combining the worst risks of different utility company models—must not become law. If it does, any future profit-seekers such as Enron or Texas Pacific could use the framework in this bill to get their hands on our utility.

No on Senate Bill 671!

It does NOT provide regulation;

It does NOT offer enough financial benefits;

It does NOT adequately represent customers; and

It makes FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES to our state regulatory structure with unforeseen consequences.

Oregon House of Representatives

503-986-1000

Write your Legislator

Governor Ted Kulongoski

503-378-4582

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