Opinion

Attorney General Kamala Harris needs to probe utility regulators

California Attorney General Kamala Harris represents the best hope for an independent review. California Attorney General Kamala Harris represents the best hope for an independent review. Photo: Pete Kiehart, Staff / The Chronicle Photo: Pete Kiehart, Staff / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Attorney General Kamala Harris needs to probe utility regulators 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Three Peninsula lawmakers are pressing Attorney General Kamala Harris — California’s top law enforcement official — to delve into the disturbingly cozy links between Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and the state agency that regulates the utility responsible for the deadly 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion.

The mayor of San Bruno and two state legislators are right to demand an expanded inquiry. Harris, who is cruising to easy re-election next month, should leave the political sidelines and sort through the claims.

The signs so far aren’t encouraging. A Harris aide issued a two-sentence response, saying her office “takes allegations of improper behavior very seriously” and would review the request, without giving a deadline or commitment to intervene.

As Harris surely knows, there is plenty to investigate. Last week PG&E fired three top executives, and the chief of staff to the president of the Public Utilities Commission was dismissed in the wake of e-mails that showed the utility was judge-shopping in rate-setting hearings and enjoyed inside access to commissioners willing to do its bidding.

It was an unholy display of free-and-easy ties, with objectivity and professionalism missing. The direct contacts appear to be in violation of commission firewalls against such communications. Morale at the regulatory agency may be hitting new lows as a result.

The commission, charged with impartial regulation of PG&E, appears too willing to please utility executives. The agency’s overall conduct has become a dismaying second act in the saga of the San Bruno explosion that killed eight people and flattened a neighborhood four years ago.

The pipeline fire has drawn in federal safety agencies and the U.S. Justice Department, which has charged PG&E with criminal negligence. The commission is nearing a decision on a $1.4 billion penalty for the San Bruno disaster.

But the response from Sacramento has been dismal. Gov. Jerry Brown has brushed off doubters and stood by commission President Michael Peevey.

While PG&E faces serious penalties, the commission’s own conduct shouldn’t be ignored. The call for an investigation comes from San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane, Assemblyman Kevin Mullin and state Sen. Jerry Hill, who represent the area of the pipeline blast. They’re rightly frustrated with both the commission and utility, and are appealing to the attorney general.

Harris needs to investigate.