Case Transferred to the Central District Court

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas and Electric Company issued the following statement after its petition to order the California Public Utilities Commission to enforce federal law relating to wholesale electric rates was transferred to the Central District court:

"Although we are disappointed that our request for a Temporary Restraining Order was not granted, we are pleased that, as we requested in the alternative, the Judge has agreed to transfer this action to the Central District of California, where Southern California Edison's twin action is pending against the same defendants. Judge Lew of that court has already heard and favorably decided key merit issues that are also presented by PG&E's case, and we believe the Central District is in a position to hear and resolve PG&E's claims quickly.

"Furthermore, the Judge's denial of our request for a TRO in no way represents a ruling on the merits of our claims. The facts in the case clearly demonstrate that the CPUC may not nullify, in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, federally-regulated tariffs which govern the wholesale purchase of electricity."