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California Utilities' Donations Shed Light on Blackout Crisis

Number 18579
Subject Campaign Finance
Source Center for Public Integrity
State DC
Year 2001
Publication Date May 30
Summary In an effort to find a fresh angle to the California energy crisis, the Center for Public Integrity discovers that the major utilities in the troubled state have spent tens of millions of dollars toward political activities since 1994. Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy in an all-out effort put a total of $39 million in 1998 "to defeat Proposition 9, a statewide referendum that would have overturned parts of the 1996 deregulation law." The moneys were spent on campaign contributions to "a handful of select lawmakers," lobbying activities, gifts, travel and other compensation, including those from industry-backed non-profit organizations.
Category None
Pages 17
Keywords utilities;energy;Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);personal financial disclosure reports;consumer advocacy;deregulation;CAR
Related Links www.public-i.org/50states_01_053001.htm; www.public-i.org/50states_02_053001.htm#Big%20Spenders; www.public-i.org/50states_02_053001.htm#favorite%20candidates; www.public-i.org/50states_02_053001.htm#Frequent%20flyers
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