Victories

Since its humble beginnings at Sylvia Siegel's kitchen table, TURN has racked up scores of victories for consumers, some of which continue to deliver savings on utility bills to this day.  Below are highlights from the past 35 years; click here for recent accomplishments by our telecommunications and energy teams.

2006 - Dramatically expanded funding for emergency financial assistance to low-income PG&E customers.

2005 - Developed energy efficiency programs throughout California to be more economically and environmentally effective.

2004 - Attained privacy protections that ban publication of consumer cell phone numbers without consent.

2004 – At TURN’s urging the CPUC institutes the Family Energy Rate Assistance (FERA) program, substantially lowering bills for low to middle income customers with large households.

2003 - Stopped unfair subsidies to big gas companies, saving residential customers over $25 million.

2002 - TURN successfully advocates for the Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation requiring California to dramatically increase its use of renewable energy to 20% statewide.  The measure means not only cleaner air but also more stable electric prices in the future.

2001 - Achieved ground-breaking rules to protect phone customers from fraudulent charges.

2001 - Through a crucial legislative victory, TURN protects baseline electric usage from rate hikes, rewarding conservation and saving customers billions.

2000 - TURN thwarts a plan by Sempra to subsidize its corporate affiliates at customer’s expense while disadvantaging the competition that would have cost natural gas customers over $16 million.

1999 - TURN successfully opposes PG&E’s plan to continue ratepayer subsidies for its Diablo Canyon nuclear plant past 2002, saving consumers millions.

1996 - TURN is instrumental in getting the Legislature to pass a “universal service” bill, which sets up a CPUC fund to underwrite telephone service to remote areas.

1994 - A CPUC decision opening to the local toll market is rescinded after TURN blows the whistle on a CPUC commissioner who allowed a Pacific Bell manager to improperly lobby decision-makers. 

1993 - A complaint by TURN results in Pacific Bell refunding $49 million to customers who were forced to pay late fees although they had paid their bills on time.

1988 - TURN convinces the CPUC to reject Southern California Edison’s proposal for a “customer charge”, which would have cost customers $4.65 a month regardless of whether they used any electricity that month.

1986 - TURN stops Pacific Bell’s proposed sale of residential customer’s names to direct marketing firms and high-pressure sales tactics uncovered after numerous complaints to the CPUC.  Refunds and corrections are ordered, and PacBell is required to pay penalties.

1982 - TURN succeeds in forcing the utilities to renegotiate long-term fuel-oil contracts, saving customers millions.

1980 - Due to TURN’s advocacy, the CPUC penalizes PG&E for imprudent gas purchases and dismisses its $569 million rate increase request.

1979 - TURN wins its first US Supreme Court case when the high court upholds a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) order compelling Pacific Telephone and General Telephone to refund $351 million in taxes the companies collected from consumers but never paid to the federal government. California customers receive between $30. and $40. each. 

1975 - TURN’s proposal for “lifeline” electric rates is adopted by the California Legislature.