Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California

Order Instituting Investigation on the Commission's Own Motion into the Operations and Practices of Pacific Gas and Electric Company Regarding Anti-Smart Meter Consumer Groups.

FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION APRIL 19, 2012 I. 12-04-010

ORDER INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION;

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING;

AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE COMMISSION

SHOULD NOT IMPOSE APPROPRIATE FINES AND SANCTIONS

I. INTRODUCTION

By this order, the Commission institutes an investigation to determine whether Respondent, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), violated Public Utilities Code (PU Code) Section 451 or any provision of the PU Code, Commission orders, or other applicable laws or rules when PG&E and its employees took certain actions during PG&E's smart meter rollout. The Commission orders PG&E to show cause why it should not be subject to penalties if it is found to be in violation of California law, Commission rules, or any other applicable rule.

This order provides notice that the Assigned Commissioner and/or assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will set a hearing to determine whether PG&E has violated PU Code Section 451 or other applicable authority pertaining to PG&E's actions. This order also directs PG&E to identify any portions of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) Staff Report that it believes should remain unavailable for public review, and to do so by filing a written motion for a protective order which identifies the specific portions of the report and/or attachments to be considered confidential and identifies the legal support for its request.