SB 418, as introduced, Jackson. Energy: low-income energy efficiency programs.
Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a program of assistance to low-income electric and gas customers, referred to as the California Alternate Rates for Energy or CARE program. Existing law requires programs provided to low-income electricity customers to be funded at not less than 1996 authorized levels based on an assessment of customer need.
This bill instead would require programs provided to low-income electricity customers to be funded at not less than 2000 authorized levels based on an assessment of customer need.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 382 of the Public Utilities Code is
2amended to read:
(a) Programs provided to low-income electricity
4customers, including, but not limited to, targetedbegin delete energy-efficiencyend delete
5begin insert energy efficiencyend insert services and the California Alternate Rates for
6Energy programbegin insert,end insert shall be funded at not less thanbegin delete 1996end deletebegin insert 2000end insert
7 authorized levels based on an assessment of customer need.
P2 1(b) In order to meet legitimate needs of electric and gas
2customers who are unable to pay their electric and gas bills and
3who satisfy eligibility criteria for assistance, recognizing that
4electricity is a basic necessity, and that all residents of the state
5should be able to afford essential electricity and gas supplies, the
6commission shall ensure that low-income ratepayers are not
7jeopardized or overburdened by monthly energy expenditures.
8Energy expenditure may be reduced through the establishment of
9different rates for low-income ratepayers, different levels of rate
10assistance, and energy efficiency programs.
11(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit electric
12and gas providers from offering any special rate or program for
13low-income ratepayers that is not specifically required in this
14section.
15(d) Beginning in 2002, an assessment of the needs of
16low-income electricity and gas ratepayers shall be conducted
17periodically by the commission with the assistance of the
18Low-Income Oversight Board. The assessment shall evaluate
19low-income program implementation and the effectiveness of
20weatherization services and energy efficiency measures in
21low-income households. The assessment shall consider whether
22existing programs adequately address low-income electricity and
23gas customers’ energy expenditures, hardship, language needs,
24and economic burdens.
25(e) The commission shall, by not later than December 31, 2020,
26ensure that all eligible low-income electricity and gas customers
27are given the opportunity to participate in low-income energy
28efficiency programs, including customers occupying apartments
29or similar multiunit residential structures. The commission and
30electrical corporations and gas corporations shall make all
31reasonable
efforts to coordinate ratepayer-funded programs with
32other energy conservation and efficiency programs and to obtain
33additional federal funding to support actions undertaken pursuant
34to thisbegin delete subdivision.end delete
35begin deleteThese end deletebegin insert subdivision. These end insertprograms shall be designed to provide
36long-term reductions in energy consumption at the dwelling unit
37based on an audit or assessment of the dwelling unit, and may
38include improved insulation, energy efficient appliances, measures
39that utilize solar energy, and other improvements to the physical
40structure.
P3 1(f) The commission shall
allocate funds necessary to meet the
2low-income objectives in this section.
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