Letter: PG&E leadership raises trust concerns
To the editor,
– PG&E has a long road ahead to regain the trust of Central Coast communities like Paso Robles. That journey requires leadership grounded in transparency, integrity, and a commitment to public service—not corporate self-interest. Unfortunately, recent reporting suggests we are not getting that from Teresa Alvarado, PG&E’s Regional Vice President for our area.
According to emails obtained by San José Spotlight, Ms. Alvarado was directly involved in managing the campaign of a San José City Council candidate, Gabby Chavez-Lopez—despite her current role as a top PG&E executive. This raises a red flag, especially because Ms. Alvarado is also part of sensitive negotiations to prevent San José from forming its own publicly-owned utility. If that weren’t concerning enough, the reporting suggests her involvement in trying to influence who sits on the council, potentially steering decisions in favor of PG&E behind closed doors.
Why should this matter to Paso Robles? Because it reveals a pattern of backroom dealings that prioritize PG&E’s interests over the public’s. If Ms. Alvarado is using her position to quietly influence political outcomes in San José, how can we trust that she is acting in good faith when it comes to the needs of Paso Robles—or any of the other communities she is supposed to represent?
We’re already dealing with high utility costs, wildfire risks, and power shutoffs. We don’t need to worry about whether PG&E’s local leadership is leveraging its influence to protect the company’s monopoly at the expense of the people it serves.
Paso Robles deserves leadership that is honest, community-focused, and fully accountable to the public—not one playing politics behind the scenes. If PG&E wants to earn back trust, it should start by re-evaluating who it chooses to represent our region.
Sincerely,
Matt Smith
Paso Robles
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