Addressing Underperforming Ratepayer-Funded Programs

Overview

Electricity rates in California have more than doubled over the past decade, significantly outpacing inflation. Rising costs, driven by wildfire mitigation efforts and legacy rooftop solar subsidies, are further exacerbated by underperforming programs funded through customers’ utility bills. Over the past four years, ratepayers have contributed more than $1.3 billion to programs that have not produced sufficient environmental or social benefits to justify their costs. To protect ratepayers, reforms are needed to reduce utility costs and lower bills.

To address these issues, this position paper outlines key reforms to reduce non-cost-effective spending and lower costs for ratepayers. Recommendations include strengthening oversight, capping energy efficiency program budgets, and seeking alternative funding sources for non-cost-effective programs before relying on ratepayer dollars.

You can find the report here: Addressing Underperforming Ratepayer-Funded Programs.