Shannon Handy
CBS8
July 9, 2024
CBS8: California lawmaker behind petition to fight back against fixed utility fee
In May, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a $24.15 fixed fee, set to go into effect in 2025.
SAN DIEGO — A California Senator is pushing forward a petition to fight back against high utility costs.
It comes after the California Public Utilities Commission recently approved a fixed charge on your monthly bills.
“Many of them are extremely concerned about the cost of living in California,” said State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, who is behind the petition.
Ochoa Bogh often hears her constituents complain about the price they pay for utilities. She represents the state’s 23rd district, which covers parts of Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties.
People there get gas and electricity from Socal Edison.
But, like SDG&E customers, they’ll also be impacted by the CPUC’s approval of a $24.15 fixed fee, set to go into effect in 2025.
The CPUC maintains the move will cut the price of electricity, and reduce bills for lower-income customers.
Ochoa Bogh isn’t convinced, which is one of the reasons she started the petition to fight against it.
Another motivating factor behind the petition is to inform the public on how rates are set and by whom – in this case, a board appointed by the governor.
“All Californians should know what’s going on in the state of California and how they’re being affected by these decisions,” said Ochoa Bogh.
So far, 6,000 people have signed the petition. Earlier this week, Ochoa Bogh delivered those signatures to the CPUC.
Moving forward, she encourages more people to get involved by not only signing the petition, but encouraging other legislators to speak out as well.
“Imagine if all legislators, all Californians were aware and signed a petition, sent it to the governor, sent it to the commission? It would put pressure to ensure we have more accountability,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh.
Edward Lopez, Executive Director of Utility Consumers’ Action Network, applauds the effort.
“You know, the commission’s job ultimately is to be a regulator to check the utilities and make sure that any proposed rates and increases and hikes are reasonable. I don’t know how we can be much more clear, except perhaps being much more louder that the commission really needs to step up and perform its first and foremost job,” said Lopez.
UCAN has been tireless in their efforts to bring down rates and block the implementation of a fixed fee.
Lopez says while this petition has no legislative recourse, he hopes as more people speak out against the CPUC and their decisions, eventually, something will change.
“It’s an uphill battle. We won’t give up the fight,” said Lopez.
Read more here.