A fixed monthly charge is coming to your electric bill. Will it make CA rates more affordable?

[Zorro]

The fixed charge will vary according to household income; specifics are still to be worked out.

In an attempt to make rising electricity bills more affordable, California will institute a fixed monthly charge on ratepayers that will vary according to household income in the next couple of years.

The precise dollar amount and other details will be determined by the California Public Utilities Commission, with a final decision approved by mid-2024 and fully implemented in 2025.

The move will affect all ratepayers across the state who receive electricity service from the state’s three big investor-owned utilities — San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison.

The new income-based fixed charge will not pertain to the natural gas portion of customer bills — only to electricity — and is mandated by the state as part of a sweeping energy bill the Legislature passed last summer.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2023-04-10/a-fixed-monthly-charge-is-coming-to-your-electric-bill-will-it-make-ca-rates-more-affordable

[homegirl]

1. BEWARE

The CA PUC is the landing spot for retired former PG&E executives.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Unfortunately, in a lot of states, the PUC is usually a final landing place for a lot of former

utility reps. Talk about a conflict of interest, eh?

[Mr.Bill]

6. But they are appointed by the governor,

and for the last 12 years, that means Jerry Brown or Gavin Newsom.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. Or they are republican governors in a lot of states. Not everyone lives in CA.

[Mr.Bill]

8. I made my comment because

this thread is about electric rates in California.

[SWBTATTReg]

9. And I made my comment based upon all states, and their PUCs.

[CountAllVotes]

2. Playing dialing for dollars right now

Trying to get through to LHEAP.

[jimfields33]

4. That's going to be an interesting program

Every year they will have to adjust the fixed rate by how much the customer made the previous year. I hope they hire more staff.

[Mr.Bill]

5. PG&E is my electric provider.

There is already a program for low income customers. This sounds like an alteration to the current system. I live in a senior mobile home park where many of the residents qualify for this program. Some of the ones I talk to say their electric bill is $20-30 a month. Our household income is not low enough to qualify for this program. We have had electric bills that are over $400 for one month.

Hopefully this program will mean more of a sliding scale instead of an income cut-off amount that greatly lowers rates for some and does nothing for those who are just over the threshold.

What's strange is this is the first I have heard about this program and I am a total newshound. Any way, I hope it helps us, at least a little.

There is a paywall in the link in the OP.

[kysrsoze]

10. I hope this isn't just a way to fuck all of us who already have solar

We’re in the process of doubling the panels on our roof (getting it in while we can still be grandfathered on selling back excess to them) because we’re still getting smacked by Southern California Edison for usage.

CA is already flat-rating the sell-back amount instead of metered for any new solar installations starting this month. The whole new process is bullshit because when we sell back excess generation we’re helping them handle excess usage so they don’t have to add more generating/transit capacity to the grid.

I hope this new scheme is grandfathered as well, or we’re going to get hammered by a flat rate charge on top of our panels’ lease payments. Otherwise, we’re going to get hosed again for trying to do the right thing.

I don’t see why a flat rate is a good thing, as it does nothing to incent conservation. Even if the flat rates are sky-high, I can just see people cranking the air conditioning and charging cars during peak period if this is implemented.