BILL NUMBER: SB 418	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Jackson

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to amend Section 382 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   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 1.  Section 382 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   382.  (a) Programs provided to low-income electricity customers,
including, but not limited to, targeted  energy-efficiency
  energy efficiency  services and the California
Alternate Rates for Energy program  ,  shall be funded at
not less than  1996   2000  authorized
levels based on an assessment of customer need.
   (b) In order to meet legitimate needs of electric and gas
customers who are unable to pay their electric and gas bills and who
satisfy eligibility criteria for assistance, recognizing that
electricity is a basic necessity, and that all residents of the state
should be able to afford essential electricity and gas supplies, the
commission shall ensure that low-income ratepayers are not
jeopardized or overburdened by monthly energy expenditures. Energy
expenditure may be reduced through the establishment of different
rates for low-income ratepayers, different levels of rate assistance,
and energy efficiency programs.
   (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit
electric and gas providers from offering any special rate or program
for low-income ratepayers that is not specifically required in this
section.
   (d) Beginning in 2002, an assessment of the needs of low-income
electricity and gas ratepayers shall be conducted periodically by the
commission with the assistance of the Low-Income Oversight Board.
The assessment shall evaluate low-income program implementation and
the effectiveness of weatherization services and energy efficiency
measures in low-income households. The assessment shall consider
whether existing programs adequately address low-income electricity
and gas customers' energy expenditures, hardship, language needs, and
economic burdens.
   (e) The commission shall, by not later than December 31, 2020,
ensure that all eligible low-income electricity and gas customers are
given the opportunity to participate in low-income energy efficiency
programs, including customers occupying apartments or similar
multiunit residential structures. The commission and electrical
corporations and gas corporations shall make all reasonable efforts
to coordinate ratepayer-funded programs with other energy
conservation and efficiency programs and to obtain additional federal
funding to support actions undertaken pursuant to this 
subdivision. 
    These   subdivision. These  programs
shall be designed to provide long-term reductions in energy
consumption at the dwelling unit based on an audit or assessment of
the dwelling unit, and may include improved insulation, energy
efficient appliances, measures that utilize solar energy, and other
improvements to the physical structure.
   (f) The commission shall allocate funds necessary to meet the
low-income objectives in this section.