Embattled CPUC President Michael Peevey Presiding Over Final Meeting – 'I Surrender, Don't Shoot'
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The embattled president of the California Public Utilities Commission presided over the final meeting of his 12-year tenure on Thursday.
For more than two hours, a parade of speakers praised CPUC President Michael Peevey and his accomplishments. He himself said he was a man that got things done.
"We got a lot done on energy policy. We got a lot done on telecommunication," he said. "Much improved broadband access is not a shabby achievement."
Peevey said he is most proud of a diversity hiring requirement for contractors the CPUC does business with. He became president under Governor Gray Davis, after repeated requests at the tail end of the energy crisis and helped negotiate the settlement of Pacific Gas & Electric's bankruptcy.
But critics have said the accomplishments may be overshadowed by the San Bruno pipeline explosion, and alleged backdoor dealings involving the CPUC and PG&E, neither of which he mentioned on Thursday.
But in jest, Peevey raised his hands. "One last little ditty. I surrender, don't shoot, I surrender."
At 12 years, Peevey is the longest-serving CPUC president.