Peevey's Think Tank Irks Lawmakers

A proposed climate change think tank to funded by a ratepayer surcharge is drawing fire from legislators in Sacramento. Considered a pet project of PUC boss Michael Peevey, the Commission voted unanimously in April to establish the institute at the University of California.

Lawmakers see the move as going way beyond the PUC's mandate and consider it a fundamental challenge to their authority. Citing legal analysis that such a move by the PUC would be illegal and that it requires a bill passed by the legislature, elected officials are digging in.

The turf battel shows signs of dragging on as lawyers for both sideas are now involved.

PUC-approved institute at UC kindles suspicions [Capitol Weekly]