FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
PUC TO HOLD HEARING ON NATURAL GAS PRICES
AND IMPACT ON CONSUMERS
SAN FRANCISCO, September 23, 2005 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a full-panel hearing on natural gas prices in the state and the impact of rising prices on low-income consumers.
WHEN: Thurs., Oct. 6, 2005, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Junipero Serra State Office Building, 320 West 4th St., 1st Floor- Auditorium, Los Angeles
For those unable to attend in person, there will be a listen-only call-in number:
800-857-1917, passcode 92105. In addition, an audio webcast will be available at
www.cpuc.ca.gov.
WHO: Expected participants include all PUC Commissioners, representatives from utilities, consumer and community groups, local elected officials and other community leaders, members of the Low Income Oversight Board, and individual consumers. An agenda is forthcoming and will be posted on the Commission's web site at
www.cpuc.ca.gov.
WHY: Consumers will face significantly higher natural gas bills this coming winter as a result of higher gas costs faced by utilities in recent months. The impact of Hurricane Katrina on gas production, processing and transportation facilities has the potential to make gas costs even higher. This is also likely to result in higher electric bills. This is an opportunity to better understand the impact of higher bills on low-income consumers and to identify the best ways to reduce these impacts.
WHAT: At the full-panel hearing the utilities will discuss the bill increases they foresee and address the potential impact of such increases on low- and fixed-income customers. The Commission will explore a full range of actions that the utilities, regulators, and individual consumers can undertake to reduce the impact of the higher costs.
Parties desiring a transcript should advise the PUC's Chief Hearing Reporter by telephone at 415-703-2288 at least three business days in advance of the hearing.
This location is accessible to people with disabilities. If specialized accommodations for the disabled are needed e.g. sign language interpreters, or if interpretation in languages other than English is needed, please contact the Public Advisor at 415-703-2074 or 866-849-8390 (toll free) or TTY #703-5282 or 1-866-836-7825 at least three business days in advance of the hearing.
For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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