Democratic Legislators revolt against California’s energy policies

The revolt has united Democrats and Republicans. It is doubly surprising since it’s taking place in a Democratic state with a Democratic Governor. Concerned that the state’s energy policies are  discouraging rooftop solar, penalizing efficient and frugal customers, and authorizing rate hikes,  legislators in Sacramento are taking action to make electricity affordable. Three bills have been drafted in less than 30 days.

The first bill, AB 1999, would repeal AB 205, which launched the Income Graduated Fixed Charge. Many legislators did not know such a provision was in the bill, which was passed without discussion. Even when they came to know of the provision, they were surprised at the really fixed charges that were being proposed to the CPUC. They were even more surprised when the CPUC refused to entertain public comments or hold evidentiary hearings, despite the public outcry.

At a press conference in Sacramento, the proponents identified why AB 1999 legislation was being proposed. In addition, ten senators have written to the president of the CPUC expressing their concerns.

In May 2023, along with several other experts, I sent a letter to the president of the CPUC expressing our concerns about the IGFC and, just a few days before AB 1999 was proposed, I visited with six legislators and their staff in Sacramento to verbalize our concerns.

The second bill, CA AB2619 (23R), would direct the CPUC to reconsider its decision to slash export compensation by 75% from April 15, 2023 onwards. It would direct the agency to make sure reimbursements are sufficient for achieving the state’s goal of doubling rooftop solar generation by 2045 in accord with the state renewable energy goals.

In January 2022, along with several other experts, I sent a letter to the president of the CPUC expressing our concerns about the three elements that were in the original NEM 3.0 proposal.

The third bill, AB 2054, seeks to prevent conflicts of interest from arising at the CPUC and CEC. It aims to impose a decisive 10-year cooling-off period for commissioners at the CPUC and the CEC, curbing the revolving door between regulators and industry. The sponsor, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said “the era of unchecked utility spending and cozy relationships between regulators and industry must end.”