Everything below is copied from an email written by a guy that is working on these issues with me. His name is Kent.
"January 30th Stop the Energy Tax Letter,
Everyone and any of your interested friends or neighbors who have electrical service with Southern California Edison. (or PG&E or SDG&E)
A few things to ponder.
The Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) have become more aggressive in efforts to restrict or abolish customer generated energy such as residential solar.
Nothing irks a monopoly like having their captive audience go astray.
The IOUs have been facing fiscal challenges on several fronts which has resulted in us having the highest average per kWh cost in the lower 48 states.
· To make higher than average returns to shareholders.
· To provide higher than average allowed compensation to their executives. For example, Steve Powel, the CEO of SCE makes over 2.8 million per year, 10 times what our governor makes.
· Costs of meeting California’s climate goals.
· Wildfire related costs borne by electric utilities in California.
· Obligated costs to close stranded assets such as obsolete nuclear generation facilities.
· Much lower-than-average use of electricity per customer (than US average), a legacy of California’s commitment to energy efficiency, conservation, distributed (residential) solar energy and consumers commitment to reducing climate impact. (the more we save, the more $ they need)
When they looked for options to increase revenue, they determined that distributed solar was an easy target so for several years they pursued the path of changing net metering and solar compensation. But they got rebuffed.
Now they have decided to go after all ratepayers with an “income graduated fixed charge” pegged to your income.
The bottom line is that the CPUC and Utility Companies have proposed through legislative action to increase your minimum monthly fixed charge from $10.00 up to $51.00 for customers who make under $97,890 and up to $85.00 for those making over that amount. (single person, 650% of Federal Poverty Level, the table is attached)
This charge is basically a tax on your utility, in my case my bill will go from $10.00 to $81.00 per month with no increase in electrical consumption.
However, to soften the blow they propose reducing the kW cost during peak times by 25%., but because I have solar, I will see no consumptive savings, just a bigger bill.
This is coming about because of Assembly Bill 205, last year’s budget bill which had a 2-line rider inserted as Utility Code Section 739.9. There was no public discourse or discussion on this draconian money grab by the utilities.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett voted yes to pass the budget package. Now we must ask him to support legislation to remove this Utility Tax.
Yesterday Assemblymember Irwin (Thousand Oaks) announced that she has proposed legislation to remove this provision in a Video Press Release.
We need to ask our representative to support this legislation.
If you feel that you would like to voice your opinion here is your opportunity-
This Saturday Steve Bennett, (assembly Ventura, CA) is holding a public meeting in Ventura at the county museum. For event information and to register –
Events | Official Website - Assemblymember Steve Bennett Representing the California Assembly District 38
Register to come, and make it heard that you do not support income based
fixed utility charges which are thinly disguised taxes.
Let’s fill the room and stand in the courtyard and get his attention.
There are a couple of reference documents attached to this email for your reading pleasure.
Speaking about elected representatives, one of our fellow EV Advocates and EV driver is running for County Supervisor in district 3 (Thousand Oaks/Camarillo). If you are in that district, please consider voting for Kim Stephenson. Her roots run deep in this community, and she cares for our environment.
https://stephenson4supervisor.com "