Bock

Fred Bock and Ed Dahle (hereafter referred to collectively as Bock) appeal from an order denying their petition for a writ of mandamus to compel Lompoc City Council and its individual members, Charles Ward, Charlotte Benton, Joe Valencia, E. C. Stevens, and Tom Green (hereafter referred to collectively as Council), to enact or to submit to the city voters as an initiative measure an electric utility rate ordinance submitted by Bock.

Facts

The City of Lompoc (hereafter referred to as the City) owns and operates its own system for the distribution of electricity to customers in the Lompoc vicinity. It presently purchases all of its electric power needs from a private utility company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (hereafter referred to as PG&E). The price for electricity purchased under its contract with PG&E is the wholesale rate established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Council establishes the retail rates it charges its customers for the distribution of the electricity.

On December 19, 1978, Bock submitted to the Council an initiative petition containing an ordinance which he requested the Council to enact or place on the ballot. The proposed…