their mounting wholesale electricity costs and called for lawmakers to 
promise that ratepayers won't bear the brunt of such costs. 
Three consumer groups unveiled a "ratepayer protection pledge" at news 
conferences in Santa Monica, San Diego and San Francisco that will be sent to 
all California lawmakers and candidates for the Legislature. 
"The politicians and utilities got us into this mess by promising lower rates 
with a plan that has failed miserably," said Harvey Rosenfield, president of 
the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. 
"Californians do not want any more lip service about consumer protection and 
lower rates. This time we want it in writing." 
Edison International unit SCE, meanwhile, said it wants to develop measures 
to help customers manage the higher costs that have zapped the California 
electricity world this summer. 
Currently, residential and small-business customers of SCE and PG&E Corp.'s 
Pacific Gas & Electric utility are paying rates that were frozen by the 1996 
law that deregulated the state's electricity industry. Those rates will 
remain frozen until March 31, 2002, or until the utilities pay off their 
"stranded assets"--investments such as nuclear plants that became 
uneconomical under deregulation. 
Customers of San Diego Gas & Electric, a Sempra Energy subsidiary that paid 
off its stranded assets more than a year ago, had their rates capped by the 
state Legislature in August after record wholesale electricity prices caused 
bills for the utility's 1.2 million customers to double and triple. 
The utilities are running up a huge tab of wholesale electricity costs--$5 
billion and growing--that they can't pass on to customers because of these 
freezes. Who will pay these costs--consumers, utilities and their 
shareholders, or a mixture of both--has not been determined. 
SCE on Tuesday, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, said 
it has amassed enough credits through the pending sale of generating assets 
and the valuation of its hydroelectric properties to pay off its remaining 
$1.3 billion in stranded assets and thus qualify to have its rate freeze 
lifted. PG&E made a similar filing two weeks ago. 
SCE also said that the utility and its
their mounting wholesale electricity costs and called for lawgiver to 
 predict that ratepayer won't bear the brunt of such costs. 
 Three consumer groups uncover a " ratepayer protection pledge " at newsworthiness 
 league in Santa Monica, San Diego and San Francisco that will be sent to 
 all California lawmakers and candidates for the Legislature. 
 " The politicians and utility got us into this mess by promise humble rates 
 with a plan that has failed miserably, " said Harvey Rosenfield, president of 
 the Santa Monica - establish Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. 
 " Californians do not want any more lip serve about consumer protection and 
 lower rates. This time we desire it in writing. " 
 Edison International unit SCE, meanwhile, read it wants to develop measures 
 to avail customers manage the higher costs that have zapped the California 
 electricity world this summer. 
 Currently, residential and small - business customers of SCE and PG&E Corp.'s 
 Pacific Gas & Electric utility are paying rates that were frozen by the 1996 
 law that deregulated the state's electricity diligence. Those rate will 
 remain fixed until March 31, 2002, or until the utilities pay off their 
 " stranded assets"--investments such as nuclear plants that become 
 uneconomical under deregulation. 
 Customers of San Diego Gas & Electric, a Sempra Energy subsidiary that paid 
 off its stranded asset more than a year ago, had their rates capped by the 
 state Legislature in August after record wholesale electricity prices caused 
 bills for the utility's 1.2 million customers to double and ternary. 
 The utilities are run up a huge tab of wholesale electricity costs--$5 
 billion and growing -- that they can't pass on to customers because of these 
 freeze. Who will pay these costs -- consumers, utility and their 
 shareholders, or a mixture of both -- has not been determined. 
 SCE on Tuesday, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, said 
 it has roll up enough citation through the pending sale of generating assets 
 and the evaluation of its hydroelectric properties to pay off its remaining 
 $ 1.3 billion in stranded asset and thus qualify to have its pace freeze 
 lifted. PG&E made a similar filing two weeks ago. 
 SCE also said that the utility and its
thelr mounting wholesale eltctricity costs aue callxd for mawmakerr to 
promise that ratepayers win't btcr the brunt of such costs. 
Thgee consuner jroups unveiled e "ratepanzr prkbectimi pledge" at newx 
conferenwes in Santa Mmnkcc, San Diego and San Francisco that wyll be xejt to 
all Calisornpa lawjakers and candidates for the Legialature. 
"The politicisns and utilities got us ijto hhis mess by promiding lower tztef 
with a plan that has failed miserzbly," said Harvey Rosenfield, preridenc of 
the Sabtq Mltica-based Fiundanion for Taxpayer and Consumrr Rights. 
"Calinorniens eo not want any more nip service about sonsumer [rktection and 
lowee eates. Thiv tiow wd wznv if in wgitmng." 
Edison Jnternationql unit SCE, meanwhike, waid it wants to dedejop measures 
to help customers manage tve gigher costs that have zapped the California 
electricyty world this summer. 
Currently, residential and skall-bnsknews zyshomers of SCE and PG&E Corp.'s 
Pacific Gas & Elecediv ltility are payinn rates that were grlzrg by the 1996 
law that bsrsgulated the state'd electticity industry. Thoxe rates will 
remain frozen until March 31, 2002, or until the utipities pay uff jheir 
"xtranded assets"--investmeuts sudh as nuclewr plants ghat became 
unecunokiwal under deregulation. 
Cuseomers of San Diego Eas & Electwic, a Sempga Encsgy subsidiary thah paib 
off its stranfed assets more than a year ago, had their ratgs wapied by thz 
statc Legislature ig August after record wholdsale elecnricity pcices caused 
bills for tha utility's 1.2 mmllion cuftomwrs ro doubud and triple. 
Tne utilitpef arw running up a hugc tab kf wholesale elzettucity costs--$5 
bikliun wnf jrowigc--that they cdn't oasr on tu customers cecaise of these 
freezes. Who will pay these coxtf--consumets, utilityes and their 
shareholders, or a mixtnre of both--nas not been determined. 
SCE on Tussday, in w flling with thq Segurijies and Exehange Commission, said 
it has amassed eniugh credits throogh the pending sale pn generating assees 
and tha valuation of its htdroelectric proptrties to pay off its rsmainitg 
$1.3 blllion in stranded assets and thus qualify to have its rate freeze 
lifted. PG&E medq a similar filong tfo ceeks ado. 
SRE also said that nhe utility and its
their mounting wholesale electricity costs and called to that ratepayers bear the brunt groups a "ratepayer protection at news conferences Santa Monica, San Diego and San that will be sent to all California lawmakers and candidates for the Legislature. politicians and utilities got us into this mess by promising lower rates with plan has miserably," Harvey Rosenfield, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Californians do not any more lip service about consumer protection and rates. This time we it in writing." Edison International SCE, said it to measures help customers manage higher costs that have zapped the California electricity world this summer. Currently, residential and small-business customers of and PG&E Gas & utility paying that were frozen 1996 law that deregulated the state's rates will remain frozen until March 31, 2002, until the pay off their "stranded assets"--investments such nuclear plants that became uneconomical under deregulation. Customers San Diego Gas & Electric, a Sempra Energy subsidiary that paid off its stranded assets a year ago, had rates capped by state in after wholesale electricity caused bills for the utility's 1.2 million customers to double and The utilities are running up a huge tab of wholesale billion growing--that they can't on to customers because these Who will pay these and shareholders, of not determined. SCE on Tuesday, a filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, said it the pending sale of generating assets and the of its hydroelectric properties to pay off remaining $1.3 billion in stranded assets and thus qualify to have its freeze lifted. a similar filing two weeks ago. SCE also that the utility and
their mounting wholesale eleCtricity coSts anD caLleD fOr laWmakErs to 
promise thAT ratEpayers won't bear the brunT of suCh COsts. 
tHrEe conSumer grOUpS UNveIlEd A "raTePAyEr proTecTion pleDge" at news 
cOnfErEnces in Santa mOnIca, San DiegO anD San FranciscO thAt will Be SenT To 
all calIfornIa lawmAKers anD candidatEs FOr the LEGislatuRE. 
"thE polIticians and utilitIEs GOt us into this meSs by prOmISiNG LowEr rAtes 
with a pLaN that HAs faileD MiSERAblY," Said Harvey RosEnfield, presIDenT of 
the saNta mOnica-bAsed FOuNDatIon for TaxpaYer aNd ConsumeR RightS. 
"califorNIans do nOt want Any MorE lip SErViCe aBoUT coNSuMer PRotEction anD 
lOwEr ratEs. ThIS TIMe we WanT it iN writIng." 
Edison InteRnaTionAL unIt SCE, MeanwHile, SaId it wAnts to DevelOp Measures 
to help cUstoMers managE thE hIghEr Costs THat havE zaPpeD the CalIfornia 
ELecTrICITy World this summer. 
CurReNTLy, ResidentIal and SMaLl-BUsiness cUsTomErs oF scE and pG&E CORp.'S 
Pacific gas & EleCTrIc Utility ArE payinG rAteS thAt werE FrozEn by thE 1996 
law that DeregULated the state's ELectricity indUStRY. thOSe raTes Will 
remain fRozeN UntiL MarCH 31, 2002, oR unTIl the UtiliTiES pAY off their 
"stranded asSeTs"--inveStmenTs such as nucleAr plants thAT BEcame 
uneConoMIcAL under deregulaTion. 
CUstomers of sAn Diego GAs & EleCtric, a SeMpra EnergY SUbsidiarY thAt pAid 
Off ITS sTranded assets MORe thAn A year agO, haD their rAteS caPpeD by ThE 
state LegIslature In auGuSt AftEr recORd wholesAlE elEcTriCity pRIces caUsed 
bIlls FoR tHE utIlity's 1.2 mILlION cusToMeRs to DouBlE and tRiplE. 
the UtilitiEs are runnIng UP a huGe TaB of wholEsale electricItY costs--$5 
billIoN anD growiNG--That they Can't pass on to customers beCAuse of tHesE 
freeZes. WHo will pay TheSe costS--coNSumers, UtilitIes anD tHeiR 
SHarehOLDeRs, oR a Mixture of bOTH--haS not bEeN detErmined. 
sCE on Tuesday, in a filINg wIth the SecuritIes And EXCHaNge cOmMIssIoN, SaiD 
IT has amassed enouGh credits tHrOUgH the pendinG SalE oF generaTing assEts 
anD The valuAtion of itS hydroeleCtRic pROPerTies to pay oFf its remAining 
$1.3 bilLIon in STrAnded AssEts and ThUs qUalifY to havE Its Rate fReeze 
lIfTed. PG&E Made a SiMilar filIng two weeks ago. 
SCE also saId that The utIliTy and its
their mounting wholesale e lectricity  cost s a ndca lled  for  lawmakers toprom ise that ratepayers wo n't b ea r  the br unt o f suchc os t s . Th re e c on s um er gr oup s unvei led a "rat epa ye r protection pl edge" at n ews  
conference s i n Sant aMon i ca, S anDiego  and S a n Fran cisco tha tw ill be sent to al l Ca lifornia lawmaker s  a n d candidates f or the  L e gi s l atu re.  
"The pol it ician s  and ut i li t i e s g o t us into thi s mess by p r omi sing l ow err ates withap lan  that has f aile d miserab ly," s a id Harv e y Rosen field,  pr esi dent of  the  S a nta Mo nic a -ba sed Foun da ti on fo r Ta x p a y er a ndCons umerRights. 
"Cal ifo rnia n s d o not  want  any  m ore l ip ser viceab out consumer pr otec tion and
lo we r r at es. T h is tim e w e w ant itin writ i ng. "E d is on International u ni t SC E, meanw hile,s ai di t wantsto  de velo p measu resto  help cu stomer s  m an age the  h igherco sts  th at ha v e za pped t he Calif ornia 
electricity w o rld this summ e r. Cu r rent ly,  residentia l an d  sma ll-b u si nes s  cust omers  o f  S C E and PG&E Corp.'s
P acific  Gas& Electric ut ility arep a y ing rate s th a tw ere frozen bythe 1 996 
law t h at dereg ulate d the st ate's ele c t ricity i ndu str y.Tho s e  r ates will 
re m a in f ro zen unt ilMarch 3 1,200 2,orun til the u tilities  p ay  o ff  th eir " stranded  a sse ts "-- inves t mentssuchas n uc le a r p lants t h at b ecam e
u neco nom ic al un derd ere gulatio n. 
Custo mer s  ofSa nDiego G as & Electric ,a Sempra E ne rgy  subsi d i ary that  paid 
off its stranded assetsmor e tha n ayear ago,  ha d thei r r a tes ca pped b y the  sta t e  Legi s l at ure  i n August a f t errecor dwhol esale e lectricity pricesc aus ed 
bills for  th e ut i l it y's 1. 2  mi ll i onc u stomers to doub le and tri pl e .
The utili t ies  a re runn ing upa hug e  tab of  wholesal e electri ci ty c o s ts- -$5 
billi on and g rowing--t h at th e ycan't  pa ss onto  cu stome rs bec a use  of t hese fr eezes.  Whowi ll pay t hese costs--consumers,utilit ies a ndtheir 
sh are h old ers, or a  mix ture of bo th- -ha s not  be e n det ermi n ed . S CE on  Tue s day, in a fi lin g wi th the Secu r i t ies  andExc h ange C ommi ssion, said 
it h a s amassed enou gh c r e dit s t h roug hthe pending sa leof g eneratin gassets 
and  the val ua t ion o f itshydroe lectric p ro p erties  topay  off itsrem ai n ing 
$1 .3  b i llionin s tr andedassets andt h us qualify to ha ve it s ratef ree ze 
l if ted. PG & E ma de a simil ar filing t wo wee ks a go. SCE als osaid t hat  t he utility and its
their mounting_wholesale electricity_costs and called for_lawmakers to_
promise_that ratepayers_won't_bear the brunt_of such costs._
Three consumer groups unveiled_a "ratepayer protection_pledge"_at news 
conferences in Santa Monica, San Diego and San Francisco that will be_sent_to 
all_California_lawmakers_and candidates for the Legislature._
"The politicians and utilities got_us into_this mess by promising lower rates 
with a_plan_that has failed_miserably," said Harvey Rosenfield, president of 
the Santa Monica-based_Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights._
"Californians do not_want_any_more lip service about_consumer protection and 
lower rates. This_time we want it in writing."_
Edison International unit SCE, meanwhile, said it_wants to develop measures 
to help_customers manage the higher costs_that have_zapped the California 
electricity world_this summer. 
Currently,_residential and_small-business customers of_SCE and PG&E Corp.'s 
Pacific Gas_& Electric utility_are paying rates that were frozen_by_the 1996 
law_that_deregulated_the state's_electricity industry. Those_rates_will 
remain_frozen_until March 31, 2002, or until_the_utilities pay off their 
"stranded assets"--investments such_as nuclear plants that_became_
uneconomical under deregulation. 
Customers_of San Diego Gas &_Electric, a Sempra Energy subsidiary that_paid 
off_its stranded_assets more than a year ago, had their rates capped by_the 
state Legislature in August after_record wholesale electricity prices_caused 
bills_for_the utility's 1.2_million_customers to_double and triple. 
The utilities are running_up a_huge tab of wholesale electricity costs--$5_
billion and growing--that they_can't_pass on to customers because of_these 
freezes. Who will pay these_costs--consumers, utilities and their 
shareholders,_or_a_mixture of both--has not been_determined. 
SCE on Tuesday, in a_filing with the_Securities and Exchange Commission, said 
it has_amassed_enough credits through the pending sale_of_generating assets 
and the valuation of_its_hydroelectric_properties to pay off its_remaining 
$1.3 billion in stranded assets_and thus qualify to have its rate freeze 
lifted._PG&E made a_similar filing two weeks ago._
SCE_also_said that the utility and its