31.   A rate freeze imposed as the state phases in deregulation of the electricity market has blocked them from passing on higher wholesale costs to their customers.

32.   As a short-term solution, San Diego-area consumer groups have called for a rate freeze, and government disaster assistance.

33.   Because of the rate freeze, it can only charge customers about a fifth of that amount.

34.   Edison sued the California Public Utilities Commission in November for refusing to lift a rate freeze and allow it to pass on wholesale electricity costs.

35.   Its rate freeze was lifted and it passed on the spikes in wholesale electric costs to its unhappy customers, whose bills doubled and tripled.

36.   The amount represents the costs they have been unable to pass on to ratepayers because of their rate freeze.

37.   The rate freeze prevented the utilities from charging customers more to cover those costs.

38.   The overhaul of the insurance system will result in rate freezes or even decreases for most drivers, the companies said.

39.   The rate freeze was lifted for the San Diego utility this summer.

40.   Until the assets are sold, the utilities operate under a rate freeze.