Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Under existing law, the commission supervises certain rate assistance and energy efficiency programs administered by electrical corporations and gas corporations, or administered by third-party administrators on their behalf. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature to protect and strengthen the current network of community service providers by, among other things, directing that any evaluation of the effectiveness of the low-income energy efficiency programs be based not solely on cost criteria, but also on the degree to which the provision of services allows maximum program accessibility to quality programs to low-income communities by entities that have demonstrated performance in effectively delivering services to the communities.
This bill would instead state that it is intent of the Legislature to protect and strengthen the current network of community service providers by directing that any evaluation of the effectiveness of the low-income energy efficiency programs be based not solely on cost criteria, but also on specified factors, including, among other things, whether the program combines energy upgrades, electrification, and health improvements or coordinates with other initiatives, the delivery of measurable cost reductions, improved health and safety outcomes, and equitable access for underserved communities, and the degree to which the provision of services allows maximum program accessibility to quality programs to low-income communities by entities that have demonstrated performance in effectively delivering services to the communities, as specified.
Existing law requires the commission to ensure that all eligible low-income electricity and gas customers are given the opportunity to participate in low-income energy efficiency programs that are designed to provide long-term reductions in energy consumption at the dwelling unit, including customers occupying apartments or similar multiunit residential structures, as specified. Existing law requires these programs be designed to provide long-term reductions in energy consumption at the dwelling unit, as specified.
This bill would also require the above-mentioned programs to increase the health and safety of individuals. The bill would require the commission to ensure that these programs prioritize advanced upgrades including heat pumps, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and deep weatherization measures to achieve increased savings on energy costs per household.
Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because the provisions of this bill would be part of the act and a violation of a commission action implementing the bill's requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB 647: 381.5 PUC, 382 PUC
02/20/25 - Introduced: 381.5 PUC, 382 PUC