SACRAMENTO, California — Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered state energy agencies to find ways to cut rising electricity bills that have provoked an uproar among residents.
Newsom issued an executive order, obtained by POLITICO, requesting the California Public Utilities Commission take “immediate action” to modify or end programs that it finds aren’t worth the costs to ratepayers and return unused money to them. It also asks the CPUC to recommend by Jan. 1 any changes to state law that could be made to save ratepayers money without sacrificing the state’s climate goals.
It directs the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to also comb through programs and make recommendations.
“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” Newsom said in a statement. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”
