Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), the nonprofit legal center based in Berkeley, CA, is concerned about how proposed changes in Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) rates will impact residential consumers with disabilities, many of whom live on a fixed income and rely on utilities in a way that the rest of the population does not.

DRA is opposing the proposals before the California Public Utilities Commission and reminds the public that there will be a voting meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 9 a.m. when the issue will be addressed. The meeting will be held at 505 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco.

The California Public Utilities Commission held a previous voting meeting on May 5, 2011, and discussed issues concerning PG&E’s proposal to raise or redesign its rates. No vote was taken at that meeting.

Disability Rights Advocates urges people to speak at this Thursday’s meeting. DRA believes that testimony reflecting the real-world impact of increased utility bills on individuals with disabilities is essential in providing the state’s decision-makers and the public with a complete picture of the effects of such rate hikes on all California residents.

The first 15 minutes of the meeting will be set aside for comments from the public, and during this time people will have an opportunity to address the Commissioners directly about the ways in which they will be affected by rate increases.

A number of other topics are on the Commission’s agenda, which can be found at the link below. Item number 45 refers to PG&E’s proposal to raise or redesign its rates.

http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA/135254.htm

People will not have to wait until item 45 in the agenda is reached to make their comments, as public comments on all agenda items will be heard during the first 15 minutes of the meeting.

Individuals must arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting to sign up to speak at the Public Advisor’s table located at the room entrance. To sign up to speak beforehand, go to: https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/requesttocomment/

Those who need any accommodations must make arrangements as soon as possible with the Public Advisor’s Office at 866-849-8390, public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or TTY# 866-836-7825.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Raziya Brumfield at Disability Rights Advocates: rbrumfield@dralegal.org, 510-665-8644 or 510-665-8716 (TTY)