IV. The Utilities' Response
The Joint Utilities4 oppose Greenlining/LIF's petition because Greenlining/LIF have not justified why the exclusions test should be strengthened or eliminated. Although the Joint Utilities support Greenlining/LIF's objective of increasing utility spending with WMDVBE firms, these utilities do not believe the petition will advance Greenlining/LIF's objective. The Joint Utilities contend that while the market for some categories of utility products and services has developed and is reflected in the utilities' individual annual WMDVBE reports, the market for other such categories has not, and therefore the utilities should be permitted to continue excluding these categories from their WMDVBE goals.
The Joint Utilities also argue that GO 156 has specific requirements for WMDVBE verification and reporting, and Greenlining/LIF have not justified the changes they propose.
4 The Joint Utilities consist of AT&T Communications of California, Inc., Citizens Communications, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), PacifiCorp, Roseville Telephone Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Sierra Pacific Power Company, Southern California Edison Company (Edison), Southern California Gas Company, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Verizon California, Inc. (Verizon).
