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TechnoratiThe Pacific Justice Institute, which specializes in religious freedom and civil liberties, has filed a complaint against the California gas and electric utility provider PG&E for giving over a quarter of a million dollars toward efforts against the California gay "marriage" ban, Proposition 8.
Brad Dacus, president of the group, has filed an administrative complaint against Pacific Gas and Electric Company with the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E provides utilities to approximately 15 million Californians.
"It is outrageous that a mammoth utility used my money to undermine the values of families in my community," remarked Dacus, who is based in Sacramento, in a statement Monday.
The complaint contends that the PG&E contribution to "No on Proposition 8 Campaign" is unlawful and should be investigated by the Commission. It also requests that the "Commission take all appropriate actions to remedy this matter, including fines, available under the law."
"Proposition 8 has no relevance to the supply and distribution of energy services to its customers," the complaint states.
"As a corporation which has been given near monopoly status (CA Public Utilities Code section 451, et seq.), its use of money extracted from customers to influence an item appearing on the ballot that does not promote the welfare of customers relative to energy is an abuse of trust."
Proposition 8, known as the "California Marriage Protection Act," would amend the California Constitution to define marriage in the state as only between a man and a woman. If passed, the ballot measure would essentially reverse the May 15 Supreme Court decision that allowed same-sex couples to marry.
Around 1.2 millions voters approved the petition to place the controversial issue before Californians. Prop. 8 will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Traditional marriage supporters are hoping for a similar outcome in 2000 when over 61 percent of Californians passed Proposition 22, which affirmed marriage in the state as only between a man and a woman.
The vice president of PG&E Nancy McFadden, stated that the company was "proud to join No on 8 and Equality California to protect the freedom to marry for all Californians," according to PJI.
Dacus said people like McFadden can write personal checks to the campaign, "but not on my dime."
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