Monumental deal for PG&E land

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | April 2, 2004 | Paul McHugh

[farmfriend]

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s bankruptcy reorganization has resulted in a windfall for California's environment: A vast acreage of pristine mountain land owned by the utility will be permanently protected, and a $100 million fund will be created to maintain it and open it to recreational use.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

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[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Frohickey]

Great.

Now, there is less property tax revenues.

[DB]

I always like the word "contribute" in these things...

Like it was voluntary...

[avg_freeper]

I also like two parts:

"National Recreation Area -- will be donated to parks and wildlife agencies "

               - and -

"$100 million fund paid by PG&E ratepayers"

You Californians are some real generous people.

[Hank Rearden]

More free parks for when Mexico takes over.

[farmfriend]

Yes, but at least our governor has an R behind his name. (/sarcasm)

[SierraWasp]

Puke Ping!!!

[DB]

Got me...

[Mike Darancette]

Now, there is less property tax revenues.

Who was paying the taxes on this howling wilderness before?

[Frohickey]

Before, it was PG&E owned property, so PG&E paid for the property taxes.

Now, its Parks and Recreation Department property, so homeowners get their property tax rates raised to counter the shortfall in revenue.

[AuntB]

Yeah, those are the same lines that got me. "ratepayers" = our electric bills will go WAY up. Plus the government will have to hire "how many more" people to manage this? Californians aren't generous. They're numb.

[forester]

The looters have acquired PG&E's golden goose, as well as a new source of revenue to screw it up with. In essence, they have nationalized private property in the name of social progress. James Taggart would be proud of this accomplishment.

[what's up]

Erin Brokovitch must be ecstatic.

[Carry_Okie]

LOL!

[forester]

...$20 million for planning..

Enough money to shingle the roof of every "Public (Dis-)Information Center" with EIR's

[Southack]

"...in 2002. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali ruled that federal bankruptcy law did not override state laws..."

??

[Dog Gone]

I remember the ruling, and I remember being astonished at the time. However, I don't remember seeing it being upheld on appeal, or how limited in nature the ruling was.

There were several threads on it here and I'm sure I participated. But I'm not going to attempt an explanation because my own recollection is fuzzy at best.