I was polled extensively on this issue.. At first I was happy to think that my town might be progressive and was actually thinking of starting a municipal power company, but as the "interview" wore on, it soon became apparent that this is just another "Enronesque" plan to hire a private company to "run" a municipal power company to provide services for NEW HOMES and UNDEVELOPED property.. Their plan is to start out with low prices to "lure" businesses to town..(jobs? ha!), and then once we have two competing companies, the "rates will fall for everyone".. (ha!)..
I did manage to crack the pollster up when he read me that part.. I said that if I believed that statement, I might also still believe in the Easter Bunny..
anyhoo.. this is how Enron ,Reliant, Duke all started in California.. They are at it again.. :(
Looks like they did not learn anything..:( or maybe they DID..
Here's the recent article on the "burning issue"
http://www.pe.com/localnews/morenovalley/stories/PE_NEWS_nmutil18.f49e.htmlEdison takes aim at city's utility bid
MORENO VALLEY:
A public campaign attempts to cast doubt on efforts to provide separate service.
12:38 AM PDT on Thursday, September 18, 2003
By DAN LEE / The Press-Enterprise
MORENO VALLEY - Southern California Edison has launched a public campaign against the city of Moreno Valley's plans to create its own utility company. Edison sent out mailers to Moreno Valley residents this week, questioning the risks of the plans and why city officials have not held public hearings to gain feedback from residents.
In addition, Edison took out an advertisement in Sunday's edition of The Press-Enterprise that featured an open letter from Edison President Robert Foster addressing the issue. "The city has been less than forthcoming in the public process," Edison spokesman Charley Wilson said by phone. "We felt that before (the utility) was implemented, Edison customers have a right to know what was being proposed . . . They were being placed at risk should this fail."
The city is proposing to provide electricity to new homes and businesses in Moreno Valley. City officials said the goal is to attract new businesses to Moreno Valley with lower electrical rates than Edison can offer. City officials say they have received at least 35 phone calls about the mailer and newspaper ad. Some officials are upset at Foster's letter, which claimed that the city council has voted secretly on contracts related with setting up the utility.
Councilman Richard Stewart said the council has only met in closed session to talk about negotiations with ENCO Utility Services L.L.C., the Anaheim-based company that would run the electrical operations for Moreno Valley. "Before a decision is made, it has to be done in public session. It will be televised, This is not any different from any other contract being negotiated," Stewart said by phone. The council does not talk about negotiating strategy in public, because that would hinder officials' ability to get the best possible deal for residents, he said.
City Manager Gene Rogers said by phone that Moreno Valley is "very close" to finishing negotiations with ENCO and presenting a contract for the council's approval, but a vote is not likely until next month.
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