California Regulators Propose Flat Fee to Lower and Stabilize Electricity Bills
California regulators have proposed significant changes to electricity bills, aiming to reduce costs for lower-income residents and those in areas most affected by extreme heat. The proposal includes a fixed infrastructure cost and a lower usage rate, with the goal of incentivizing electrification of cars and home appliances. While bills for lower-income and electrification adopters would decrease, some non-lower-income customers and rooftop solar owners may see increases. Proponents argue that the changes will address inequities in cost distribution and encourage electrification to reduce fossil fuel emissions, but there is backlash from some lawmakers and concerns from the solar industry about potential energy conservation issues.