Today, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to identify ways to make utilities’ wildfire mitigation more cost effective and identify additional opportunities for federal funding that could help reduce electricity rates. The California Energy Commission (CEC) and CPUC must also determine whether changes to underutilized programs could help bring down rates. Finally, the governor directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to determine how the Climate Credit, a twice annual utility bill credit, can be maximized.
Below is a statement by Daniel Barad, Western states policy manager at the Union of Concerned Scientists:
“The executive order’s fact-finding directives will improve our understanding of what drives electricity costs, which can lead to better informed policies. However, we hope it will not lead to the cutting of any programs that serve environmental justice communities, who are unduly burdened with high energy costs and the pollution impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure.
“Climate change has caused hotter, drier conditions, leading to longer, more intense wildfire seasons in many parts of California. As the governor points out, utility efforts to mitigate the impacts of these wildfires is a key driver of increased rates. Over the long-term, the only way to significantly reduce the costs associated with worsening wildfires is to limit planet-warming emissions.
“We look forward to working with the governor’s office and the legislature to identify and enact policies that will reduce energy costs for ratepayers and keep us on the path towards achieving clean energy and transportation goals.”