FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC TO EXAMINE EMF POLICIES AND RULES

SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2004 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today said it will determine if there are improvements that should be made to the Commission's existing rules and regulations concerning electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with electric transmission lines or other utility electric facilities.

To address the public concern regarding exposure to EMF, the Commission has required that the electric utilities develop an EMF Management Plan for each project that implements the Commission's adopted 1993 EMF policy. Generally, the Commission sanctions a "Prudent Avoidance" or "low-cost/no-cost" policy towards mitigating EMF impacts resulting from approved electric facilities. Given the public interest that has been sparked by the research findings submitted to the Commission by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) and that the Commission's interim EMF policy has not been updated in more than 10 years, the Commission said it is now appropriate to determine if it should improve its existing policy and/or improve implementation of the policy.

As part of its review, the Commission will explore:

· The results of its current "low-cost/no-cost" mitigation policy and the need for modifications;

· Improvement in the implementation of the existing "low-cost/no-cost" mitigation policy;

· New or revised Commission EMF mitigation policies as new EMF-related scientific data becomes available.

The Commission expects to conclude this review within 18-months and a Prehearing Conference will be scheduled at a later date.

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

###