SACRAMENTO, Calif — It's no secret that utility bills in California are high. However, state lawmakers are trying to help cut the costs of electricity by introducing a new bill that will put a cap on fixed charges.
West Sacramento resident Lois Amaral said her PG&E bill is expensive, jumping to $180.
Now, Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Ventura County) and Marc Berman (D-Santa Clara County) are hoping to relieve some of the financial burden by introducing Assembly bill 1999. The bill, if passed and signed into law, would overturn a 2022 law that removed the fixed-rate cap based on income, which is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
"A fixed fee of $10 for regular customers and $5 for any customer that was in the CARE program," said Asm. Irwin.
But over the last decade, Irwin said this cost has gone up drastically.
"PG&E went up 127% in the last 10 years, Southern California Edison went up 91%, and SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) went up 72%," she said.
For Amaral, she found herself needing to cut back on her usage in fear of not being able to pay her bill.
"I find myself unplugging everything that I can unplug, (that) I don't really need," she said.
Asm. Berman said it's time to hold the CPUC accountable.
"We need more transparency about what's happening. We need more accountability that makes sure that the people that continue to ask for these huge increases, the companies that continue to ask for these huge increases, are really providing value to Californians," he said.
The bill still needs to go through hearings and a vote. It is headed to the Utilities Commission next.
ABC10 reached out to the CPUC for a statement and a spokesperson responded by saying, if there is a comment, one will be given to us by the deadline. ABC10 did not receive a comment by time of publication.
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