Dive Brief:
- At least three elected officials want California State Attorney General Kamala Harris to investigate an email exchange between Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and state regulators that appears to show the utility negotiating for a more favorable administrative law judge.
- The utility said it will make a filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) this week, accepting accountability and responsibility for the improper exchange.
- The utility is anticipating a penalty in the matter, according to a PG&E spokesman. Executives have already been called to appear before the commission on October 7.
Dive Insight:
California Sen. Jerry Hill, Assemblyman Kevin Mullin and San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane all want the state's attorney general to examine the PG&E-CPUC email exchange and see if it violated state law. The exchange has already cost three utility executives their jobs, in addition to CPUC President Michael Peevey's chief of staff.
But while the fallout is spreading, PG&E appears to be trying to get in front of the scandal. In addition to firing three executives and creating a new compliance position, the utility will go ahead accept culpability.
"Next week, we will formally file a response to the CPUC’s investigation making it clear that we are responsible and accountable, and expect a penalty in this matter," spokesman Keith Stephens told the Sacramento Business Journal.
