Earlier this summer, the California Public Utilities Commission--like getting ready for a big date--got all dressed up for public hearings on multi-billion dollar rate increases for Southern California’s investor-owned utilities. It turned into a disappointment when the public largely stood them up. Lack of public interest in multibillion-dollar rate hikes may seem difficult to fathom. It stands in sharp contrast to the usual tango of public participation by businesses and interest groups at the commission. But is it really surprising? After all, the public is largely ignorant of the CPUC and its role and sees utility bills the same way it sees the price of just about anything else, beyond their control, akin to the weather. The basic choice is to either cut back on consumption, or shop around for bargains, which isn’t possible with monopoly utility services. To spur more interest and participation, the CPUC should do more to empower the public when it comes to utility policy, as well as more to inform people of rate hikes. Short of this, there’s potentially some wisdom in folks staying home. After all, it’s more satisfying for most to watch Boardwalk Empire than go to a government meeting, particularly when it probably won’t matter anyway. To the average ratepayer, both the show and utility rates may look equally rigged.
