11.   He said the utility could refile its suit once the commission decides on whether to lift the rate freeze.

12.   However, the commission is likely to avoid the thorny question of whether to end a current rate freeze affecting Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison.

13.   In California, rate freezes have prevented most utilities from passing on much of the higher price of power to consumers.

14.   In Texas, a temporary rate freeze has protected consumers from instability in the wholesale market.

15.   In San Diego, however, the rate freezes were lifted just as the city strained under a heat wave.

16.   Instead of reviews and possible rate freezes, Schneider argued that the solution is to require companies to receive approval from regulators before they go into effect.

17.   Nettie Hoge, executive director of the consumer group The Utility Reform Network, said she favors an interim valuation because it will end the rate freeze.

18.   Politicians are meddling, arbitrarily imposing rate freezes and price caps.

19.   San Diego was the first California city to feel the impact of an end to the rate freeze.

20.   The committee approved another provision, though, which would let state regulators lift a rate freeze on local rates that the bill imposes.