SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new bill could help cut electricity rates for Californians by 30%.
The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. It would direct the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to cut electricity rates by 30%.
It follows big rate increases from utilities, which the lawmakers said were due to state mandates.
“Not a day goes by without someone contacting me about their unaffordable electricity bills,” said Patterson. “Nobody should have to choose between heating their homes and buying food. It is time for the CPUC to focus more on affordability of this necessary service.”
Citing the Transparency Foundation and the CPUC, the lawmakers said Californians saw their bills rise by as much as 127%, with electricity rates costing customers an extra $1,096 more per year than in other states.
“The cost of electricity has squeezed Californians to a breaking point,” said Patterson. “Working families are afraid to turn on their heaters or air conditioners not knowing what their bill will be the following month. Too many Californians are struggling to make ends meet – bringing their electric bills down will ease that burden and improve people’s quality of life.”
The bill follows rate hikes approved for PG&E customers last year. The CPUC approved a more than a billion-dollar rate increase for PG&E. The funds are meant to help fund a plan to bury power lines underground to prevent wildfires.
Patterson's bill would require the commission to lower the per kilowatt-hour charge to customers by no less than 30%.
