September 23, 2003
(Updated) PGE Front Group Starts Running Anti-PUD Television Ads
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Admittedly, I haven't written much here about the campaign for a public utility district in the Portland area, but the previously-mentioned front group for Portland General Electric has popped up again.
The deceptively-named Citizens Against the Government Takeover -- which is, in fact, the brain-child of Gard & Gerber, an advertising agency used by PGE -- has started running television spots aimed at defeating the PUD campaign.
Of course, the fact that the group is a make-believe grassroots organization run by the people who do PR for the corporate entity with the most to lose from a PUD doesn't inherently mean that arguments against the public utility district are unsound (although, yes, I do tend to lean towards a PUD).
But the fact that this front group is now running television ads with, of course, nothing to disclaim their true backing means that more people need to be aware of that group's true origins.
So now you know, if you didn't before.
Update
On a related note, next month's Portland Business Alliance breakfast forum (see listing on their calendar) is entitled, "What would happen of there were a P.U.D. in Multnomah County."
This November, voters in Multnomah County will be asked to create a People�s Utility District (PUD) to manage and own the delivery of electrical power within their jurisdiction. Such an action-if approved-would condemn the assets of Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, two of Portland�s best known and respected companies. Beyond this ill-conceived action, the initiative has other far-reaching implications to the costs of home electrical services, property tax rates, and continuation of some critical and existing state services. Learn more about the immediate impacts this measure could have, and why this proposal may be too risky for ratepayers and businesses alike.
Not sure just yet who the participants will be for this one, but at this months forum (on small business strategy) there were several pieces of anti-PUD literature from Pacific Power and PGE's front group against the government takeover arranged at each table setting.
Comments (3)
noah@alliancewatch on 25 Sep 2003
I got a letter yesterday from Pacific Power that was anti PUD and was signed by "Citizens Against the Government Takeover" and at the AFL-CIO picnic during labor day one of the utilities (NW Natural, PGE, or Pacific Power) had a booth with "Citizens Against the Government Takeover" fliers on the table.
The One True b!X on 25 Sep 2003
There were a couple of anti-PUD items produced by Pacific Power on the tables at the recent Portland Business Alliance breakfast forum I sat in on (mainly because their next forum is about the PUD campaign). On the one hand, at least Pacific Power has the backbone to put its own name on anti-PUD literature, whereas PGE is busily hiding behind the fake Citizens group.
On the other hand, there was no pro-PUD literature sitting around at the PBA affair, so it's anyone's guess right now just how balanced the upcoming PUD-related forum will be.
Dave Lister on 26 Sep 2003
I received a mailing from PP&L both at home and at my office (both N.E. Portland locations are served by PP&L). It contained a pretty good comparison of rates around the area. Some PUD's are higher, some are lower. I think it's kind of too bad that PP&L, who has done a very good job and does not have any connection with Enron will be sucked into the PUD if it is formed. This is going to be a very tough decision for the voters.