Who Loves the CA State Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee?

“Most Californians have never heard of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, or simply “U & C,” as the Committee is colloquially referred to in the state capitol building. Yet this committee is responsible for regulating one of the most powerful industries in the state: the electric utilities. The public utilities, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the energy companies – all of which set the fee policies that directly impact California ratepayers – are overseen by the fifteen members who comprise this committee.

While most Californians may not be familiar with the inner workings of the U&C Committee, one industry is paying close attention. Hundreds of thousands in contributions from PG&E, Sempra, Southern California Edison and Chevron have poured into coffers of the U&C Committee. Indeed, of the 15 members who sit on this committee, every single one has taken substantial contributions from the state’s largest utilities, including Pacific Gas and Electric.

Newly elected East Bay Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who also chairs the Assembly Natural Resources Committee (charged with overseeing legislation on climate change and renewable energy policy), has taken $3,500 from PG&E since 2008; as well as a total of $8,500 from the energy industry.

Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R- San Luis Obispo) is the single highest recipient of Big Utility cash – having received over $75,000. Indeed, PG&E, Sempra and Southern California Edison each rank among Blakeslee’s top 20 contributors. Ironically, Blakeslee, a long time Exxon research scientist before joining the Assembly, is Vice Chair to the Assembly’s Select Committee on Renewable Energy. Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), as well as serving on the U&C Committee, chairs the Select Committee on Renewable Energy. Like his Vice Chair Blakeslee, Krekorian counts among his top 20 contributors PG&E and Sempra, with the electric utility sector accounting for the 4th largest contributor to his campaign.

Other top recipients of Big Utility cash include Cameron Smyth (R- Santa Clarita) and Alberto Torrico (D – Fremont), both of whom took over $55,000 each.

In total, the 15 members of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee have taken $486,118 from Big Energy interests. REAP is watching the votes of these members closely for pay-to-play politics. California’s renewable energy future is too important to be determined by 15 people with a financial stake in the outcome.