Bill Text: CA AB2329 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Energy: California Affordable Decarbonization Authority.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-16 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB2329 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB2329-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2329

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Introduced by Assembly Member Muratsuchi

February 12, 2024

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An act to amend Section 382 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2329, as introduced, Muratsuchi. Low-income energy assistance programs.

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 requires the commission, with the assistance of the Low-Income Oversight Board, not less often than every 3rd year, to conduct an assessment of the needs of low-income electricity and gas ratepayers. Existing law requires the assessment to evaluate low-income program implementation and the effectiveness of weatherization services and energy efficiency measures in low-income households and to consider whether existing programs adequately address low-income electricity and gas customers’ energy expenditures, hardship, language needs, and economic burdens.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the requirement that the commission conduct assessments of the needs of low-income electricity and gas ratepayers and related provisions.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 382 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

382.

 (a) Programs provided to low-income electricity customers, including, but not limited to, targeted energy-efficiency services and the California Alternate Rates for Energy program shall be funded at not less than 1996 authorized levels based on an assessment of customer need.

(b) In order to meet legitimate needs of electric electricity and gas customers who are unable to pay their electric electricity and gas bills and who satisfy eligibility criteria for assistance, recognizing that electricity is a basic necessity, and that all residents of the state should be able to afford essential electricity and gas supplies, the commission shall ensure that low-income ratepayers are not jeopardized or overburdened by monthly energy expenditures. Energy expenditure may be reduced through the establishment of different rates for low-income ratepayers, different levels of rate assistance, and energy efficiency programs.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to This section does not prohibit electric electricity and gas providers from offering any special rate or program for low-income ratepayers that is not specifically required in this section.

(d) Beginning in 2002, an An assessment of the needs of low-income electricity and gas ratepayers shall be conducted periodically by the commission with the assistance of the Low-Income Oversight Board. A periodic assessment shall be made not less often than every third year. The assessment shall evaluate low-income program implementation and the effectiveness of weatherization services and energy efficiency measures in low-income households. The assessment shall consider whether existing programs adequately address low-income electricity and gas customers’ energy expenditures, hardship, language needs, and economic burdens.

(e) (1) The commission shall, by not later than December 31, 2020, ensure that all eligible low-income electricity and gas customers are given the opportunity to participate in low-income energy efficiency programs, including customers occupying apartments or similar multiunit residential structures. The commission and electrical corporations and gas corporations shall make all reasonable efforts to coordinate ratepayer-funded programs with other energy conservation and efficiency programs and to obtain additional federal funding to support actions undertaken pursuant to this subdivision.

These

(2) These programs shall be designed to provide long-term reductions in energy consumption at the dwelling unit based on an audit or assessment of the dwelling unit, and may include improved insulation, energy efficient appliances, measures that utilize use solar energy, and other improvements to the physical structure.

(f) The commission shall allocate funds necessary to meet the low-income objectives in this section.