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CPUC MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO LOW INCOME OVERSIGHT BOARD

SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, 2012 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today unanimously approved the appointments of Larry Gross, Ortensia Lopez, and Patricia Watts to public representative positions on the Low Income Oversight Board (LIOB). The CPUC also reappointed Jason Wimbley as the State Department of Community Services and Development representative.

The state Legislature established the LIOB to advise the CPUC on low income electric and gas customer issues and to serve as a liaison for the CPUC to low income ratepayers and representatives.

Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, the assigned Commissioner to the LIOB, said, "I look forward to working with today's appointees to improve the California Alternate Rates for Energy program and the Energy Savings Assistance Program. These programs are crucial to California's low income communities and I am excited to have these outstanding individuals on board."

Mr. Gross is the Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based Coalition for Economic Survival, where he has worked for the past 38 years. He works directly with the area's lowest income families, helping to address their needs for affordable housing and utilities.

Ms. Lopez, a founding member of the LIOB since 2002, is a recognized leader on a number of issues facing low income communities. Over the past few years, she has worked diligently in areas related to energy efficiency and outreach to low income communities.

Ms. Watts is currently President and CEO of FCI Management, an energy efficiency company based in Long Beach, and previously, for more than 22 years, she worked in management positions at Southern California Edison. Ms. Watts is on the Board of Directors of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, Community Build, Koreatown Youth and Community Center, and Goals for Life. She currently is Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee of the Southern California Minority Business Development Council.

Mr. Wimbley is a Division Chief with the California State Department of Community Services and Development, a position he has held since October 2001. In this capacity, Mr. Wimbley is primarily responsible for overseeing the statewide administration of federally funded low income energy programs and environmental hazard control grant programs in targeted areas.

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