WASHINGTON-Dian Grueneich was sworn in as a member of the California Public Utilities Commission, allowing her to vote next week on a proposal to suspend the bill of rights for telecom consumers.
Grueneich, a Democratic who headed an energy and environmental consulting firm, is one of two new appointees to the CPUC. In December, GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named Grueneich and Steve Poizner, a Republican, to the state agency.
Poizner, who sold Snap Track Inc. to Qualcomm Inc. in 2001 for $1 billion, has not been sworn in yet. Both CPUC appointees have to be confirmed by the California Senate. But, after being sworn in, they can vote on CPUC matters for a year even if not yet confirmed by the Senate.
It is unclear whether Poizner will be sworn in before next Thursday’s scheduled vote to stay the bill of rights. The CPUC narrowly approved the bill of rights last May, igniting criticism by Schwarzenegger and the mobile-phone industry. The bill of rights created a slew of new state regulations governing carrier disclosure, billing, marketing and contracts. The CPUC has granted wireless carriers additional time, until April, to comply with new guidelines. Mobile-phone operators have appealed the bill of rights in federal court.
The CPUC was set to vote Jan. 13 on Commissioner Susan Kennedy’s move to stay the bill of rights. The agency postponed action after protests from consumer groups, disability advocates and state Attorney General Bill Lockyer. In addition, questions were raised about the legal sustainability of a decision by only three commissioners on the five-member CPUC.
“I am honored that the governor appointed me to the PUC and I look forward to working closely with its staff and my fellow commissioners,” said Commissioner Grueneich, following the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony. “The work of the commission is important to the vitality of the state and its families and businesses, and I will work hard to meet the responsibilities and challenges of my new role with collegiality, openness and dedication.”
To counter Kennedy’s move to put the bill of rights on hold-which critics suspect is a precursor to gutting the rules entirely-the California state legislature is considering codifying into state law new telecom consumer regulations. A bill could be introduced as early as next week.
