Governor Signs Executive Order In Response To Rising Electric Bills

Photo by: Tracey Peterson

Sacramento, CA — As Californians have watched electric bills continually increase, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing the California Public Utilities and Energy commissions to investigate ways to bring down prices.

Or, potentially put in place mechanisms to stop them from rising so quickly. The Governor is also calling for a closer review of how utility companies, like PG&E, are spending money. California has some of the highest electric rates in the country.

Republicans, meanwhile, have countered that California’s aggressive climate policies are responsible for the spiking rates.

The Governor’s Office has released details of the Executive Order, below:

• Encourages electric bill relief. The executive order asks the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to identify underperforming programs and return any unused energy program funds back to customers receiving electric and gas service from private utilities as one or more credits on their bills.
• Maximizes the California Climate Credit. The executive order directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work with the CPUC to determine ways to maximize the California Climate Credit, which is a twice annual credit that shows up on many Californians’ electric and gas bills in the spring and fall and is funded by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program.
• Manages and reduces electric costs for the long-term. The executive order asks the CPUC to evaluate electric ratepayer supported programs and costs of regulations and make recommendations on additional ways to save consumers money. It also asks the CPUC to pursue any federal funding available to help lower electricity costs for Californians. Additionally, the executive order directs the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate electric ratepayer-funded programs and identify any potential changes that could save Californians money on their bills.
• Smarter wildfire mitigation investments. The executive order directs the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and requests the CPUC, to evaluate utility wildfire safety oversight practices and ensure that utility investments and activities are focused on cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures.