In effect, consumers are being forced to invest in and underwrite the utility companies so they can compete for big customers. To sell this boondoggle, the Legislature has given the Public Utilities Commission authority to undertake an advertising campaign -paid for by ratepayers. The contract was awarded hastily, without adequate bidding or public scrutiny. Under the new law, anyone can offer to provide energy suppliers with the right to bill ratepayers. Worse, these billing firms have unfettered right to obtain, analyze and then sell information about your private consumption patterns and equipment to the highest bidder.
Nothing controls the mining and harvesting of consumers' personal records and data.
Existing consumer groups have inadequate resources to successfully defend the public against such assaults. The CUB would solicit ratepayers to join by utilizing an informational insert which utility companies would be required to enclose in their utility bills. With modest dues, CUB would hire attorneys and other experts to represent the public interest in the implementation of deregulation. By clever drafting, legislators mandated the biggest single bond issuance in California history without voter approval by the electorate. Every residential ratepayer will have to pay the utility tax on these bonds, and if they don't, their power will be shut off.