Current Actions

• PG&E: Stop Raising Rates, Start Behaving Responsibly

  PG&E is proposing millions in unnecessary rate hikes in its 2014 GRC.  Join us to demand accountability- and affordability.  No more rate hikes!

• Tell the CPUC: AT&T is holding me hostage and robbing me blind

  Is AT&T holding you hostage and robbing you blind? 

  AT&T customers recently received an unwelcome New Year’s missive from their phone company, announcing that rates for local landline service in California are going up again. 

  These rate increases have nothing to do with the cost of service, but rather are the result of the CPUC’s failure to control phone prices.   According to the CPUC, consumers can vote with their feet and leave AT&T if prices go too high.

  Tell the CPUC: AT&T is holding me hostage and robbing me blind. 

• San Onofre Is Down, Rates Should Be Too!

   TURN is demanding that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) act immediately to protect customers from the mounting costs of massive failures at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), owned by SoCal Edison and SDG&E.

• Customers Need a Break More Than Utilities Do

  When you pay your monthly utility bill every month, you are not just paying for the service you receive.  You are also paying for profits for utility shareholders. 

  Reducing utility profits to a more reasonable level would reduce each customers' energy bills by about $50 per year, and still leave the utility companies with guaranteed profits and a captive customer base.

  Tell the CPUC: Lower my utility bills by lowering utility profits.

• SB 1161: AT&T’s Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

  SB 1161 (Padilla) eliminates CPUC authority over phone companies. It would exempt AT&T, Verizon, and other providers of landline and wireless services from complying with long–standing basic consumer protections that California residents have come to rely on, including universal service requirements.
  
  Other states that have passed similar, phone company-sponsored deregulation bills have quickly seen prices rise and services deteriorate.  Don’t let California be next!
  
  Tell Governor Brown to hang up on AT&T’s deregulation bill.

• Don’t Let PG&E Profit from San Bruno

  PG&E’s proposed pipeline safety improvement plan would cost customers close to $2 billion, and allow PG&E to “earn” returns on that investment, also paid for by customers, for years to come.  TURN wants safety improvements to come out of profits, not rates.

  TURN is demanding that PG&E finally deliver the safety they’ve promised in the past, but on their dime, not ours. Please show your support by sending a letter to the CPUC.    

• ACT NOW: Tell the CPUC to put So Cal Gas smart gas meters on ice

   If there’s one thing less smart than smart electric meters it’s smart gas meters.   The California Public Utilities has approved So Cal Gas’ proposal to spend $1 billion on smart meters that will bring few benefits to gas customers.

  If gas bills go up, it should be for what customers do want - safety, not what they don’t want - more smart meters! 

  Tell the CPUC that smart gas meters are their dumbest move yet!

• Tell The CPUC: Say NO to Golden State Water's Greed!

  Customers of Golden State Water Company are struggling with higher bills- in the last two years most customers’ rates have gone up between 20-40%.  Now, Golden State is back at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), demanding new increases that would raise rates an average of 25% per customer!

  Customers can STOP Golden Gate’s unfair, greed-driven rate hikes.  But we have to speak out and make sure the CPUC knows how rising water bills are going to impact your family and community.

  Send a letter to the CPUC demanding a NO vote on higher water bills!

• ACT NOW: Tell the CPUC to put So Cal Gas smart gas meters on ice

   If there’s one thing less smart than smart electric meters it’s smart gas meters.   The California Public Utilities has approved So Cal Gas’ proposal to spend $1 billion on smart meters that will bring few benefits to gas customers.

  If gas bills go up, it should be for what customers do want - safety, not what they don’t want - more smart meters! 

  Tell the CPUC that smart gas meters are their dumbest move yet!

• SoCalGas' Rate Increase Plan Stinks!

  Tell the CPUC to reject SoCalGas' rate hike proposal. The greedy gas company wants massive rate hikes on top of a $1.4 billion pipeline improvement plan. 

  With the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) warning of higher natural gas prices this winter, your gas bills could skyrocket. 

• Tell Governor Brown: New Leadership is Needed at CPUC

  Under President Michael Peevey, the CPUC has been guided by a misguided philosophy—regulation in the corporate interest.   A change in course is overdue.

  Californians need a CPUC guided by a philosophy that puts customers first—regulation in the public interest. It is time to replace Michael Peevey with a new president who prioritizes protecting the safety and pocketbooks of California residents over generating escalating profits and pay for utilities and their executives.

• Will A Bigger AT&T Be Better for Consumers?

  AT&T, the cell phone company with the worst customer service record, wants to take over T-Mobile, the cell phone company with the best customer service record.
  

  If the takeover is approved, AT&T will have approximately 20 million wireless phone and data customers in California, and more than 47 percent of the California wireless market.
  

  Join TURN in demanding a full investigation into the impacts of the takeover on California consumers, including job losses, rising prices, fewer choices and impacts on underserved communities, and in demanding that the CPUC oppose a bigger, more powerful AT&T.

• Unite to Fight Edison Rate Hikes!

  We CAN Stop Edison’s $3.6 Billion rate hike.  Tell the CPUC that in this tough economy, raising rates to pay for executive bonuses and expensive Internet toys is wrong.

• I want a choice about Smart Meters

  Customers who don't want smart meters should have a choice. We've already paid millions for smart meters and PG&E, Edison and SDG&E want to charge an arm and a leg for opting out. Join TURN in demanding affordable smart meter opt-outs.

• The CPUC wants your opinion on pipeline safety

  You’ve joined our actions.

  You’ve demanded that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) open a formal public investigation into the San Bruno explosion and gas pipeline safety throughout California.

  You’ve joined us telling PG&E they shouldn’t put our safety at risk any reason, and putting off repairs that have already been paid for—with our money—is inexcusable.

  The Commission has heard our demands. A new investigation headed by Commissioner Mike Florio, formerly TURN's senior attorney, has been launched, and PG&E is facing fines for failing to produce pipeline records. We need to keep the pressure up.

  Tthe CPUC is holding hearings on pipeline safety in San Bruno, Santa Rosa and Los Angeles, and they want to know what you think.

  Speak out and tell the Commission what would make your neighborhood feel safe again, and remind them that it should be paid for out of profits, not our pockets.

• Tell the CPUC You Oppose Paying More for Less Phone Service

  You know you pay your phone company—whether it's AT&T, Verizon, SureWest or another providor—more and more for less and less service in return.

  You've already seen your home phone bill increase to more than double what it was 4 years ago by added fees and higher basic rates.

  Tell the CPUC to reject the proposal to redefine basic phone service!

• No More San Brunos—Demand that PG&E put Customer Safety First

  PG&E charged its customers $5 million to fix a gas pipeline under San Bruno in 2009, but delayed the work citing other priorities. The company then spent $5 million on executive bonuses. TURN doesn't think PG&E should put our safety at risk any reason, and putting off repairs that have already been paid for—with our money—is inexcusable. Take action to demand PG&E make customer safety its top priority.

  Sign TURN's petition demanding that PG&E put Customer Safety First

  I want the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to open an open public investigation into the San Bruno explosion and pipeline safety, including to:

• Congratulate Commissioner Mike Florio

  TURN has just received word that senior staff attorney Mike Florio has been appointed to a seat on the California Public Utilities Commisssion (CPUC) by Governor Brown! This is an unprecedented victory for consumers in California, albeit a sad one as Mike’s 32 years of outstanding service to TURN comes to an end.

  Mike Florio has spent 32 years advocating for the public before a Commission that often appeared more comfortable with companies it regulates than the public it serves. He has saved consumers billions of dollars during his tenure at TURN, and won vital consumer protections, including limits on rate hikes.

  We’re giving Commissioner Florio a congratulations card this week, and we know it would mean a lot to him if TURN members like you signed it, too.

  

•  No Nice Bonuses for Naughty Energy Execs

  Utility companies are behaving like spoiled children, insisting that they should be gifted millions even though they’ve been naughty not nice. TURN does not believe they should have to be bribed to do the right thing, much less the wrong one. Tell the CPUC to REJECT energy company windfalls at our expense.

  Additional charges passed on to customers would be:

  PG&E:  $29.1 million

  SDG&E  $5.1 million

  SoCal Gas  $9.9 million

  SoCal Edison:  $18.6 million

• Stop Outrageous Smart Meter Bills!

  PG&E customers have made it clear: they don’t like smart meters. But PG&E doesn’t care. The company insists the meters work, save customers money and make PG&E money—lots of it.

  Whether it's PG&E’s SmartMeters, PG&E's high rates or PG&E's bad customer service making people angry, PG&E customers getting mad while PG&E profits continue to skyrocket.

  PG&E wants profits not only on their despised smart meters but also on the old meters that PG&E ripped from customers' homes, now stored in a warehouse somewhere collecting dust. In its current rate case, PG&E wants customers to pay PG&E profits on their investment in the old meters that are no longer in use as well as on the new ones.

  Smart Meters were a smart investment for PG&E, but not for PG&E customers, who haven’t seen any benefits from them.

  Now PG&E wants even more of your money for the meters. Does that make sense to you?

  Sign TURN's petition demanding more accountability from PG&E and no more rate hikes for smart meters.

• No More San Brunos—Demand that PG&E put Customer Safety First

  PG&E charged its customers $5 million to fix a gas pipeline under San Bruno in 2009, but delayed the work citing other priorities. The company then spent $5 million on executive bonuses. TURN doesn't think PG&E should put our safety at risk any reason, and putting off repairs that have already been paid for—with our money—is inexcusable. Take action to demand PG&E make customer safety its top priority.

  Sign TURN's petition demanding that PG&E put Customer Safety First

  
  

• Protect Public Safety and 9-1-1 Service

  Demand a VETO: Protect 911 emergency service access. Tell the governor to reject SB-1375, AT&T sponsored legislation that could shut off emergency access completely to those without a landline phone.

  Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to put the public safety first, and reject this phone company-sponsored legislation that could: 

  • Shut off emergency access completely 90 days after a disconnect
  • Allow phone companies to disconnect current warm lines within 90 days of notice
  • Encourage discrimination and redlining by giving phone companies discretion to keep warm lines alive in areas they choose—or shut them off.

  Enter your address below, and we will send your letter to the Governor leadership urging him to kill this bill.

  Click here to learn more about why SB-1375 is bad for Californians.

• Defend basic phone service, demand accountability

  Defend basic phone service, demand accountability

  Demand protection of basic phone service:

  • Unlimited calls for an affordable flat rate
  • Freeze Lifeline rates for the most vulnerable Californians
  • Freeze basic service rates at their current levels
  • Make complaints about companies public so that consumers can make informed decisions in a ‘competitive’ marketplace
  • Hold the CPUC accountable to its legal obligation to ensure that rates are “just and reasonable”

  Pressure from TURN members defeated reckless deregulator Rachelle Chong. Pressure from TURN members will protect basic phone service and Lifeline.

• PG&E wants to be a billionaire

  PG&E Asks the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for $4 Billion Increase:
  Seeks 30% Rate Hike from customers in 2011–13! 

  It is PG&E customers’ turn to speak out:

  • How is a 30% increase in your utility rates going to affect your family?
  • How do you feel about “Smart” Meters?
  • What do you think about PG&E CEO Peter Darbee’s $10 million pay?
  • Have you ever been offered a Home Energy Audit to save energy?
  • Are you happy with PG&E’s customer service?
  • How do you feel about PG&E spending $35 million ratepayer money on ballot initiatives?

  Speak up and let your voice be heard at a CPUC public hearing on PG&E rate hikes or by sending a letter to the CPUC Public Advisor.

  If you're unable to attend a Public Participation Hearing, send a letter to the CPUC telling them what you think of PG&E's excessive greed. TURN will hand deliver your message to the Commission.

  TURN would like PG&E to answer the questions above. You can use the letter below, press your browser's reload button for another letter or write a letter of your own.

• Demand A Smart Meter Moratorium

  The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has finally hired an investigator into PG&E's smart meter crisis, but according to CPUC President Michael Peevey, it will take at least six months to complete an investigation.

  PG&E's response? They've increased smart meter installations to 17,000 per day.

  TURN thinks that's wrong. Join TURN in demanding an immediate STOP to smart meter installations until the investigation is complete and remedies implemented.

  In addition to an immediate statewide moratorium on smart meter installation, TURN is asking the CPUC to:

  1. Include local residents, elected officials and consumer advocates on the Independent Oversight Committee.
  2. Test all brands of smart meters being installed by PG&E, as well as of the old meters being replaced.
  3. Look beyond smart meter accuracy issues and test communications systems and software used to transmit data and render bills
  4. Assess smart meter privacy concerns including unauthorized access to customer data and vulnerability to identity theft.
  5. Review all smart meter complaints upon request from customers
• Don’t shut out Southern California consumers

  Southern California consumers are worried about the expense of SoCal Gas Company's new smart meter proposal, and don't understand what, if any, potential benefits there are. The new meters could also lead to job losses for meter readers in this awful economy.

  The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is scheduled to vote on SoCal Gas Company's smart meter proposal at their April 8th meeting in San Francisco, even though the CPUC will meeting in Los Angeles on April 22nd.

  The CPUC’s process should be as open as possible to as many of California’s ratepayers as possible.

  Ask the CPUC to give SoCal gas customers a chance to air their views before making this important decision.

• Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to Stop Gutting Consumer Protections

  Tell your senator you support Darrell Steinberg

  Demand that they Keep the Pressure on to Appoint a Consumer Champion to the CPUC
  

  Due to pressure from TURN members and a coalition of consumer groups, the California Senate decided to reject the reappoontment of Rachelle Chong to the Californa Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Commissioner Chong's tenure on the Commisison was marked by decisions that exposed Californians to skyrocketing prices, unfair billing practices, and discriminatory pricing.  Commissioner Chong rejected public input and failed to keep her commitment to the Senate to protect consumers and stop telecom marketing abuses.

  The Senate was right to stand up for consumers, and against corporate special interests by rejecting the nomination of Rachelle Chong, but the fight isn't over.  Please use the sample letters below to tell your senator you support Senator Steinberg and his commitment to California consumers, and insist that the governor appoint a CPUC Commissioner who pledges to fulfill the CPUC mission to “serve the public interest” which includes both public and private well-being in California, and that all Californians deserve basic consumer protection, a voice in the decision making process, and the cleanest energy and best phone service at the most reasonable rates to consumers.

• Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to Stop Gutting Consumer Protections

  Keep the Pressure on to Appoint a Consumer Champion to the CPUC
  

  Due to pressure from TURN members and a coalition of consumer groups, the California Senate decided to reject the reappoontment of Rachelle Chong to the Californa Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Commissioner Chong's tenure on the Commisison was marked by decisions that exposed Californians to skyrocketing prices, unfair billing practices, and discriminatory pricing.  Commissioner Chong rejected public input and failed to keep her commitment to the Senate to protect consumers and stop telecom marketing abuses.

  The Senate was right to stand up for consumers, and against corporate special interests by rejecting the nomination of Rachelle Chong, but the fight isn't over.  Thank your Senator, and insist that the governor appoint a CPUC Commissioner who pledges to fulfill the CPUC mission to “serve the public interest” which includes both public and private well-being in California, and that all Californians deserve basic consumer protection, a voice in the decision making process, and the cleanest energy and best phone service at the most reasonable rates to consumers.

• Consumer Disclosures Can Mean Life or Death in an Emergency

  Act Now To Hold Phone Companies Accountable
  
  A proposal at the CPUC would require phone companies to disclose to cable phone customers that their phones will not work during power outages.  This simple fact can make the difference between life and death during an emergency, yet, incredibly, phone companies are not even required to disclose to customers that they will need alternate sources of power to use their phones in emergencies.
  
  Particularly at risk are the elderly, sick and disabled, who may be unable to get help or timely evacuation orders without a working phone.
  
  Help TURN put an end to this unfair and potentially life-threatening failure to disclose by supporting a proposal to hold phone companies accountable for basic consumer disclosures about the need for back-up power. 

• Stop Dangerous Utility Shut-Offs

  California families need your voice to stop the rising numbers of dangerous and deadly utility shut-offs. In 2008, PG&E, So Cal Edison, SoCal Gas and SDG&E shut off service to about 600,000 homes impacting nearly 2.5 million children and adults.  If 2009 holds at the current pace, 720,000 homes are likely to be shut off by year’s end.
  
  With more than one out of every 10 Californian workers unemployed, TURN thinks its time for the utilities to put public health and safety first and make reasonable arrangements with customers who fall behind in their bills.  TURN is demanding fair and flexible policies that will help customers to keep their lights and heat on. 
  
  California families need your voice to challenge the proposed decision by the the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to deny TURN’s request that PG&E, SDG&E, So Cal Edison and So Cal Gas offer fair and flexible payment plans to consumers who fall behind on their bills.
  
  Tell the CPUC to stand up for families and adopt new rules that would reduce shut offs:

  1. Offer all families fair and flexible payment plans.
  2. Offer low–income families forgiveness of past due bills.
  3. Eliminate deposit requirements for utility service.
  4. Require utility companies to reduce shut offs.

• PG&E made me pay a security deposit

  PG&E is requiring customers to pay a security deposit even though times are tough.  Tell us about your encounters with PG&E...