One of the few protections for consumers included in the utilities' sweetheart deal prevented the utilities from passing additional costs on to customers while customers were already paying CTC charges above and beyond the costs of electric service. The CPUC has repeatedly affirmed that the rate freeze prevents the utilities from socking consumers with additional costs. When high wholesale prices prevented the utilities from collecting CTC, they billed the negative charges to the Transition Cost Revenue or TRA account. Since actual payments of CTC are stashed away in the Transition Cost Balancing Account or TCBA, a completely false picture of a TRA shortfall has been created. They have increased profits despite high wholesale prices.
Investors have nothing to worry about, but consumers do.
Now the CPUC can devote its energy to making sure the high wholesale prices that almost bankrupt San Diego are not permitted to threaten the entire state.