Committee to Examine High Energy Costs

A Senate select committee examining the sharp increase in the wholesale cost of energy will hold a daylong public meeting May 18 in Irvine to take testimony from consumers.

Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Garden Grove), head of an eight-member committee investigating prices on the wholesale energy market, will lead the meeting. Dunn says the demand for electricity in California has increased 4% over the last year, but the wholesale cost of power has gone up 266%, Dunn says.

Public Utilities Commission President Loretta M. Lynch is expected to testify at the hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. It will be at Irvine City Hall, at One Civic Center Plaza.