Utility Tax News Today

Consumer advocacy groups fear that a recent decision to change how electricity is billed in California will disproportionately affect lower-income households.

Columnist Teri Sforza writes that inland and lower-income folks could see bills drop, analyses say.

Columnist Teri Sforza writes that inland and lower-income folks could see bills drop, analyses say.

Home of the Gilroy Dispatch

This past week, the CPUC released their proposed Utility Tax. This proposal exceeds the national average by more than half ($24.15/mo) and the increase would be borne by small homes, condos and apartment residents, and because the Utility Tax is uncapped, $24/mo may will become $80/mo, especially when one realizes that over the past 10 […]

I was surprised that a letter published in response to my guest column about the Utility Tax I’m working to stop before it takes effect focused on my party affiliation. It seems irrelevant to me in this context, but I’ll clarify a few points for the record.

East Bay Times Letters to the Editor for Feb. 15, 2024

Many Californians are unaware that their electric bills could jump substantially next year. The reason is that in 2022, the state legislature adopted a law with a provision that directs the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to add an income-based Utility Tax to the monthly electric bills of residential ratepayers of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and CCAs starting in 2025. 

The California Public Utilities Commission is in the throes of establishing a “fairer” fixed monthly service charge, and it has become a bloody political battle.

Columnist Teri Sforza writes that electricity rates would drop, at least partially offsetting new fixed charges. Solar owners would pay, too.