Business group opposes Prop 80

San Vernando Valley Business group, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association is lining up against Proposition 80.

Proposition 80, an initiative constitutional amendment which attempts to re-regulate the state’s electric utilities by reversing voter-enacted deregulation status, drew outrage from the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) Board of Directors, as they voted firmly against the proposition this afternoon.

Randall Neudeck, Co-Chair of the VICA Environment, Infrastructure and Water Committee, voiced his displeasure, stating, “Proposition 80 feeds off of utility consumers’ fear of blackouts and the supposed ‘market manipulation’ caused by deregulation in order to bring back regulation of the industry. If passed, it would neither lower electric bills nor prevent blackouts; instead, it would limit green energy from solar and geothermal resources – and eliminate consumer choice.”

Proposition 80 would subject electric service providers to control and regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission. To VICA, this disregards California voters’ overwhelming decision to deregulate the industry; imposes restrictions on electricity customers’ ability to switch from private utilities to other electric providers; and disingenuously claims that registration by electric service providers with the Commission constitutes the providers’ consent to regulation.