The Harlow Report-GIS
2023 Edition
ISSN 0742-468X
Since 1978
On-line Since 2000
first published week of: 04/24/2023
Income Based Electric Rate System Proposed by California Energy Companies
by Evan Symon
A fixed cost system could only encourage people to use more electricity’
Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric filed a proposal on Thursday that would install a fixed-rate electric bill system for those under the three largest power companies in the state.
As part of AB 205, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in June of last year, the proposal would cover both the simplified electric bill system under the bill, as well as the fixed rates wanted due to the wild swings in utility prices that California experiences. With the power system expected to be volatile in the coming years due to the shift from fossil fuel-based energy to green energy, continuing questions over the extension of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, an expected increase of electrical usage due to exploding popularity of electric cars and the end of gas-powered car sales in 2035, and possible disruptions to the system due to natural disasters such as wildfires, many legislators pushed for a fixed-price system to stop the hiking of costs during high-demand times and to not overtly punish those having high AC usage during summer months.
According to the proposal, those in Edison areas will pay $15 a month if their household earns under $28,000 a year, $20 a month for those making $28,000 to $69,000 a year, $51 a month for those making $69,000-$180,000 a year, and $85 a month for those making above $180,000.
Read full story at Calofornioa Globe…