The Electric Consumer Protection Initiative, Proposition 80, is the only ballot measure - other than Prop. 79, the consumer-backed prescription drug initiative - to receive CTA's support on the November ballot.

 

"That's because we've had enough of rolling blackouts, rising rates, and market manipulations," says CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. "We all need reliable electric service at reasonable rates. Prop. 80 would bring some sense to California's energy policy."

 

Since Gov. Schwarzenegger has been in office, he has consistently sided with private power producers like Chevron and Calpine corporations, which are among his biggest campaign contributors. In fact, he vetoed AB 2006, a bill that would have prevented any reoccurence of the rolling blackouts that hit California in 2000-01.

 

"Since vetoing AB 2006, the governor has been asleep at the wheel on the state's energy problems," says Kerr. "His energy policy is a dream come true for big business: 'Choice' rates for them and rolling blackouts for us."

 

California never had a supply-related blackout before deregulation and never should have to experience one again, according to The Utility Reform Network (TURN), one of the chief sponsors of Prop. 80.

 

"Prop. 80 means we admit deregulation was a mistake and move on," says Bob Finkelstein, TURN's executive director. "It's time for the state to correct past errors and build a future of lower rates, stable markets and more renewable energy sources."

 

In an action similar to breaking his promise to schools, the governor has abandoned his campaign promise to lower electric rates, leaving seniors on fixed incomes, working families and small businesses struggling to pay for the fallout from the deregulation of California's energy industry.

 

California, say consumer watchdog groups like TURN, is at a critical junction when it comes to energy. Prop. 80 will repeal key provisions of the disastrous bill, AB 1890, that started California's deregulation experiment and got the state into trouble in the first place. Among other things, Prop. 80:

• Restores the obligation of Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric to serve California consumers.
• Prevents the imposition of mandatory time-of-day pricing for small businesses and residential customers.
• Guarantees ratepayers the "best value" whether power plants are built by regulated utility companies or by independent generators.
• Accelerates by 20 percent the requirement that the state increase its reliance on renewable energy from 2017 to 2010.

"While CTA is primarily concerned with defeating the damaging education proposals that are on the state ballot," says Kerr, "we think it is important to support this important consumer protection initiative."