Opinion ID: 1897396
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the correction requirements

Text: [¶ 22] We have concluded that section 6(B)'s requirement that T & D facilities submit their educational materials to the Commission prior to dissemination is invalid. Section 6(C) of the Commission Rule, however, permits the Commission to hold a public hearing after dissemination and to order the T & D facility to correct materials the Commission finds to be misleading, deceptive, or inaccurate. Section 7 reaffirms that a T & D facility must disseminate the corrected materials to their consumers. CMP contends that these correction requirements unconstitutionally restrict the free speech rights of T & D facilities. We are unpersuaded by that contention. [¶ 23] The correction requirements of section 6(C) remedy harm, rather than suppress speech, and thus avoid the constitutional infirmities of the prior restraint set out in section 6(B). Furthermore, the Commission has a compelling interest in work[ing] with [T & D facilities] to ensure consumers get information that is objective, accurate, and consistent with [the Commission's consumer education] program messages[,] given the potential for a high degree of customer confusion that can result from retail competition[.] See Pacific Gas, 475 U.S. at 19, 106 S.Ct. 903. The requirement that the T & D facility correct any information that is misleading, inaccurate, or deceptive is narrowly tailored to serve this interest. This requirement is narrowly focused only on materials that are misleading or deceptive. Although the Commission could disseminate its own materials to clarify misleading, inaccurate, or deceptive statements by a T & D facility as the transition to deregulation occurs, such action could increase consumer confusion as the consumers receive different messages from different sources. Because the requirement that a T & D facility correct misleading, inaccurate, or deceptive materials after those materials have been disseminated serves to remedy harm, rather than suppress speech, in a manner that is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest, the requirement is constitutional.