FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

PUC COMMISSIONER GRUENEICH CONFIRMED
UNANIMOUSLY BY STATE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2005 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today announced that the State Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously to support the appointment of Dian M. Grueneich as a member of the Commission, moving consideration of her confirmation to the full State Senate. The State Senate may now act at any time to complete the appointment process and confirm Commissioner Grueneich.

"It was an honor to be appointed to the Commission by the Governor and an honor to be unanimously supported by the Senate Rules Committee," said Commissioner Grueneich. "I am grateful for such a vote of confidence and will continue my efforts to serve the people of California."

Commissioner Grueneich was supported by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), The Utility Reform Network, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, the Commission's Office of Ratepayer Advocates, the Coalition of California Utility Employees, and the California League of Conservation Voters in the Committee hearings. Commissioner Grueneich also received support letters from the following organizations, reflecting a diverse range of consumer, business, and environmental groups: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Association of California Community and Energy Services, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the California Retailers Association, the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology, the Center for Resource Solutions, the City of Berkeley, the City of Corona, the City of Rancho Cucamonga, the Clean Power Campaign, the California Large Energy Consumers Association, the Communications Workers of America, the Community College League of California, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, The Irvine Company, the Pacific Institute, Senator Nell Soto, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitters Industry.

"In its combined economic and environmental significance, the California PUC is the most important regulatory body in all of state government," said Ralph Cavanagh, co-director the energy program for the NRDC, one of Commissioner Grueneich's supporting groups. "I have long thought that the ideal nominee to be a PUC Commissioner would need to have the background and capacities of a Dian Grueneich. I remain steadfast in that view."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Commissioner Grueneich to the PUC and she was sworn in on Jan. 18, 2005. Commissioner Grueneich will serve a six-year term that ends on Jan. 1, 2011, once confirmed by the full State Senate. Under state law, once appointed by the Governor, Commissioners may serve up to one year in their post before confirmation from the State Senate is required.

For a biographical sketch and photo of Commissioner Grueneich, please visit the PUC's website at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/aboutcpuc/commissioners/04grueneich/index.htm.

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

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