Misleading Campaign

Last week, San Diegans were barraged by the beginning of what will be an ongoing Southern California Edison PR blitz designed to convince San Diegans that its takeover of San Diego Gas & Electric is good for San Diego. Frankly, I welcome Edison’s contributions to the community debate on this issue. But I do not welcome its contributions when Edison knowingly engages in factual misrepresentation.

For instance, Edison’s claimed contractual obligation to continue using San Diego-based suppliers of goods and services is hogwash. I read the “contract” and it has enough escape clauses as to render the “contractual obligation” meaningless.

And Edison’s formal agreement to increase corporate contribution levels is pure hype. In fact, the Edison/SDG&E; contract compels a 5% increase in corporate giving for the first two years only.

Five years after the takeover, Edison is free to discontinue all corporate giving, if it so wishes.

Edison promises to seek a 10% rate cut for residential customers. Curiously, the contract is silent on this promise. More importantly, Edison knows that SDG&E; sought a similar rate cut for residential customers just last year.

The PUC rejected the SDG&E; proposed cut because it discriminated against non-residential customers. Edison knows this. It hopes that the San Diego public isn’t aware that the PUC has rebuffed such deals.

Thus far, Edison has demonstrated an eager willingness to lie and mislead in its efforts to turn public sentiment in its favor. Edison is entitled to its opinions and to the expression of those opinions.

But San Diego will not tolerate outright misrepresentation of facts. Mr. Allen, I hope that you are listening up there in Rosemead.

MICHAEL SHAMES

Executive Director

Utility Consumers Action Network