SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bills 886 and 887, two measures designed to protect California ratepayers from the potential increased costs and environmental damage caused by data centers. Data centers are facilities housing the digital infrastructure, crucial to artificial intelligence services. The bills set new standards incentivizing data center development that supports California’s grid and communities in which they are built.

“California families are already struggling with rising utility bills as it is and we need to ensure they aren’t forced to foot the bill for Big Tech data centers,” said Senator Padilla. “Even President Trump agrees, Big Tech needs to ‘pay their own way.’ California data centers should support the grid and local communities. I look forward to working with legislative leaders, Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, and Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, who is holding a hearing on this topic later this month.”

After other states experienced skyrocketing energy costs due to data center development, they have taken action to better protect their residents. Last year, energy regulators in Ohio determined that data centers must pay more up front for their power demands. Recently, the newly elected Governors of both Virginia and New Jersey announced their states would be seeking ways to make data centers “pay their fair share.”

Senator Padilla is the author of SB 57, the only bill governing data centers to become law in California last year. The bill was significantly amended after intense pressure from data center developers to become a study into the price impacts of data center development. SBs 886 and 887 are a reaffirmation of Senator Padilla’s commitment to protect California families and the state’s critical climate goals from price spikes and the reduction or resources caused by data centers. In his proposed 26/27 budget, Governor Newsom provided full funding for the study. As a result, Senator Padilla will be asking the leadership of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)to expedite the completion of the study to better inform data center policy in the state.

SB 886 would require the PUC to establish a special tariff to protect ratepayers from the transmission costs that supply large data centers while meeting the state’s climate goals. The tariff will ensure electrical grid investments for data centers are fully recovered to ensure other ratepayers do not end up footing the bill. A tariff would protect ratepayers from skyrocketing costs without increasing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.

SB 887 would allow data centers to be eligible for Environmental Leadership Development Project (ELDP) certification if they meet the criteria as well as some additional requirements specific to data centers regarding water use, clean energy, and paying full infrastructure costs. ELDP certification grants the applicants accelerated environmental review. Certified data center applicants can go online faster while also protecting surrounding communities from health and environmental impacts. The bill would also clarify data centers are not ministerial projects exempt from California Environmental Quality Act and does not qualify as an advanced manufacturing facility.

The legislative package is co-sponsored by ratepayer advocacy group TURN and environmental advocacy group Net-Zero California.

“California needs to take a leadership role in addressing the threats and opportunities presented by data centers” said Matthew Freedman, Staff Attorney at The Utility Reform Network. “These bills will ensure new electrical demand created by data centers helps to lower rates for all customers, improves grid reliability and accelerates the transition to clean energy resources.”

“Data center-driven load growth presents a unique opportunity to support the state’s affordability and climate goals - but only with thoughtful policy design,” said Sam Uden, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Net-Zero California. “We commend Senator Padilla for his leadership and look forward to working with him and his team in ensuring a pragmatic path forward that both protects ratepayers while supporting technology innovation.”

To learn more about SB 57 and Senator Padilla’s efforts to protect California ratepayers from increasing energy costs, click here and here.

SBs 886 and 887 will be heard in the Senate in the coming months.

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Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/

Contact: Cameron Sutherland • Cameron.Sutherland@sen.ca.gov

Public Participation Hearings

Date: November 7, 2025 | Times: 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Location: Hugh Burns State Building, 2550 Mariposa Mall, Suite #1036 (Assembly Room), Fresno, CA 93721

Customers are already pushed past their financial limits.  “I stopped turning on my air conditioning and never use heat, yet my bill still went up 50% last year.” “PG&E’s rate hikes mean I can’t meet my basic needs—I’m robbing Peter to pay investors.”  “Everyone deserves heat, food, and medicine.  But on my retirement income, PG&E’s rates are just too high.”

The proposed rate hikes are part of the General Rate Case (GRC), which is a comprehensive budget plan submitted every 3 to 4 years.  This budget plan includes SCHEDULED rate increases, but the problem is now PG&E is asking for 10 non-GRC (unscheduled) rate increases.  There is currently NO LIMIT to the number of rate hikes requested, nor the amount of each rate hike.

 “It is critical for customers to show up at these hearings to tell the CPUC to reject the PG&E General Rate Case proposal to increase bills by $500 a year, and to reject the additional 10 PG&E proposals to raise bills that are currently pending at the CPUC” said TURN Executive Director Mark Toney.

TURN invites residents to attend the hearings, share their experiences, and demand accountability from PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Contact: Lee Trotman • Communication Director • ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446

Sacramento, CA — California utility consumers are demanding lawmakers rein in skyrocketing rates and hold for-profit investor-owned utilities (IOUs) accountable, according to new polling data from David Binder Research released by The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and California Environmental Voters (EV).

California voters overwhelmingly expressed strong concern about excessive, skyrocketing utility bills. By a strong majority, California residents ask that lawmakers rein in rate increases and protect consumers.

• 82% of California voters are concerned about the cost of their monthly electric bill

• 79% of California voters agree that the government should do more to limit price increases

• 93% of California voters agree that utilities should not charge customers for wasteful spending, including lobbying, PR, and marketing campaigns

• 91% of California voters support ending excessive utility profits to cut consumer costs

• 80% of Gen Z Voters agree that fossil fuel companies should pay for rising electricity bills

“It is clear from the polling data that California residents expect their elected representatives to take action now, and pass legislation that will limit utility overspending, trim record-breaking corporate profits, support public financing to reduce long-term costs, and provide short-term ratepayer relief,” said Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network.

The polling data follows multiple, egregious rate hikes from California’s major for-profit utilities, which touted excessive profits while customers struggled to make ends meet. PG&E, which had six rate hikes in 2024, enjoyed a 10% increase in profits from 2023 to 2024, similar to SoCalEdison, which enjoyed a 9.8% profit increase from the year prior. Advocates point to wasteful spending and misuse of ratepayer funds as a key source of high utility bills — issues advocates hope will be remedied by new legislation.  

“California families are being further spun into an affordability crisis while for-profit utilities continue to hike up rates to increase shareholder profits. Consumers have footed the cost of utility overspending and misuse of ratepayer funds for too long. As the climate crisis worsens and extreme weather becomes more frequent, equitable access to affordable power is especially important. Now, California voters are demanding lawmakers deliver on their promises to prioritize electricity affordability by reining in utility profits and protecting consumers,” said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer of California Environmental Voters.  

TURN and EnviroVoters are supporting the Campaign for Affordable Power bill package:

• AB 1167 (Berman, Addis) Prohibits utility misspending of ratepayer dollars

• AB 1020 (Schiavo): Prevents double-charging and boosts accountability

• SB 636 (Menjivar): Provides hardship deferments to vulnerable customers

• SB 330 (Padilla): Promotes alternative financing for transmission to reduce costs

• SB 24 (McNerney): Prohibits for-profit Investor-owned Owned Utilities (IOUs) from undermining the local establishment of municipal utility districts

It’s not too late for lawmakers to honor their commitments on affordability and make proper strides to protect consumers. The polling data sends a clear message to lawmakers and legislative leaders: California voters need affordable power and utility accountability.

Detailed polling results and analysis can be found at: TURN.org/campaign-for-affordable-power-cap

Contact: Alexandra Nagy • Alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org • (818) 633-0865

Sacramento, CA — The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and the Campaign for Affordable Power (CAP) coalition gathered outside of the Capitol today to urge Governor Newsom and lawmakers to stand up against utility pressure and support the Campaign for Affordable Power (CAP) bill package and the long-promised Senate affordability package, now SB 254. The Utility Reform Network led efforts alongside coalition members AARP, the California Large Energy Consumers Association, the Agricultural Energy Consumers Association, California Farm Bureau, California Metals Coalition, California Community Choice Association, and the Small Business Utility Advocates.  

“SB 254 and the CAP measures together deliver both the structural reforms we need to rein in runaway utility costs and the immediate bill relief families deserve. We thank Senate leaders for moving SB 254 forward. Now it’s time for Governor Newsom and the Legislature to act so Californians see lower bills this year and beyond,” said Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network.

Legislative efforts for rate relief follow multiple rate hikes from California’s for-profit owned utilities to increase shareholder profits. Among the most egregious, PG&E earned $2.48 billion in 2024 after six rate hikes, and just requested yet another rate increase to boost shareholder profits. Advocates are urging lawmakers to live up to their commitments to their constituents and support key affordability legislation.

“Energy affordability isn’t just a concern for households. Farmers and ranchers are feeling the pressure too. Agricultural customers have seen similar rate increases, but with fewer options to manage or reduce those costs,” said Kevin Johnston, Director and Counsel at the California Farm Bureau. “Because farmers and ranchers can’t simply raise prices to cover these expenses, it often leads to consolidation, fewer California-grown products, and less investment in on-farm improvements like electrification. That runs counter to California’s climate goals and efforts to strengthen local food security.”

Currently, one in five ratepayers is behind on their energy bills. While the number of families behind on utility payments increased, California’s largest for-profit utilities reported record-breaking profits in 2024. Advocates point to an outdated system that rewards wasteful spending at the expense of ratepayers, specifically artificially inflated rates of Return on Equity, which allows utilities to earn a guaranteed profit on spending for expensive infrastructure projects. It's clear: utility greed and pollution are driving up costs.

“The California Large Energy Consumers Association represents energy-intensive industries that produce goods essential for daily life, such as critical infrastructure, oxygen for hospitals, and food distribution. To compete with companies outside California and abroad, power must be affordable; yet California’s soaring electric rates, three times higher than neighboring states, make this increasingly difficult,” said Bruce Magnani with CLECA (California Large Energy Consumers Association). “Failure to enable competitively produced essential manufactured goods in California is an abdication of our state’s leadership as the world’s fifth-largest economy, drives up global emissions due to emissions leakage, and hinders efforts to electrify and decarbonize industrial processes. California’s staggeringly high industrial electricity rates demand urgent action.

“California’s metal manufacturers compete around the world, and skyrocketing energy rates are making it harder to compete, expand, and retain jobs in California. We urge lawmakers to take action that protects customers and ensures affordable, predictable electricity for metal manufacturers that employ working families with livable wages,” said James Simonelli, executive director of California Metals Coalition.

TURN and other affordability advocacy groups agree, lawmakers can deliver real relief by passing critical reforms that tackle the root causes of soaring bills by requiring cost-effective solutions, cutting excessive profit margins, and modernizing how we finance and build critical infrastructure.

“AARP looks forward to working with fellow consumer advocates, such as TURN, to fight for more affordable energy bills for our 3.2 million California members and their families. Never-ending rate increases are endangering the health and financial well-being of our state’s fast-aging population. Utility companies and elected officials have a responsibility to ensure that when older Californians, now and in the future, reach for the thermostat, they can have the peace of mind that they are paying for fair, reliable, and safe energy,” said Nancy McPherson, AARP California State Director.

The CAP coalition stands ready to work with the Governor and legislators to secure passage of SB 254 and the CAP’s complementary bills before the session ends, delivering immediate relief and locking in long‑term savings for all Californians.

“Wildfire mitigation and California’s push for electrification are critical, but right now, the costs fall disproportionately on utility customers, especially small businesses served by investor-owned utilities. Utility bills have ballooned to unsustainable levels, and rate hikes don’t scale with income. We need a more equitable model; one that includes broader state funding and supports climate resilience across the board,” said Britt Marra, Executive Director, Small Business Utility Advocates. “Small businesses, which are vital to our communities, operate on tight margins and can't simply reduce usage like larger players. These rising bills are devastating, particularly in climate-impacted regions where refrigeration, cooking, and air conditioning are non-negotiable. It’s time for fairer funding and policies that allow our local businesses to survive and thrive.”

“Unfortunately, we have reached a tipping point.  California’s exceedingly high rates are harming residents as well as large and small businesses alike, destroying the state’s economy and driving inflation.  It is past time for the Governor and legislature to do something about it. Talk is meaningless…..it’s time for action!,” said Michael Boccadoro, Executive Director, Agricultural Energy Consumers Association.

The Campaign for Affordable Power supports current legislative efforts including SB 330 (Padilla), AB 1167 (Berman, Addis), AB 1020 (Schiavo), SB 636 (Menjivar), SB 24 (McNerney), AB 1167 (Berman), and SB 254 (Becker) to protect consumers and lock in real savings.

For a video recording of the press conference, click here.

Contact: Lee Trotman • TURN Communications Director • LTrotman@turn.org
Alexandra Nagy • Alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org

Los Angeles, CA — Southern California Edison (SCE) reported a record $1.619 billion in 2024 profits today, a 9.8% increase from the previous year. While profits increased, SCE customer’s rates have increased by 26% in the last three years, increasing bills beyond what many customers can afford. As of February 2025, 18% of Edison customers, or 846,717, are behind on payment, with an average amount owed of $1,002. Edison also has the highest average electricity bill compared to SDG&E and PG&E, as well as the highest rate of return of 10.75%.

The rate of return is the guaranteed percentage of profit utilities earn on infrastructure investments, which is ultimately recovered through customer bills. State regulators have allowed SCE to rake in excessive profits from costly projects like overpriced power lines and wildfire mitigation equipment, encouraging unnecessary spending instead of prioritizing more effective and affordable alternatives that better serve customers.

"Southern California Edison’s record profits, coupled with the highest electricity rates and returns in California, are a glaring example of how utilities continue to profit at the expense of struggling families," said Lee Trotman, Communications Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN). "It’s time for regulators and lawmakers to take decisive action to reduce these excessive profits and ensure that utilities are held accountable for their role in this affordability crisis. Families should not have to choose between paying their electricity bills and other basic needs."

Wildfire mitigation costs and increased infrastructure spending are two of the leading causes of rate increases but are also profitable for utilities. Customers can expect rates to increase further now that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved Edison’s request to pass on over $1.6 billion in Thomas Fire liability costs to them, with another $5.4 billion pending for the Woolsey Fire.

SCE’s earnings report comes one week after the Senate hearing on utility affordability and skyrocketing rates, where lawmakers pressed California agencies on the role of rate-of-return and increasing profits in rapidly rising rates. With such high ROE, utilities are incentivized to overspend on expensive infrastructure projects and pass off costs to ratepayers to pad shareholder profits.

“Edison’s banner profits are the poster child for the need for its shareholders to pay the future costs of payments for California’s $21 billion wildfire fund as Senator Wahab has proposed in SB 332.  Edison appears to have started the Eaton fire through its negligence, and ratepayers should not continue to pay with their homes and their money to line the pockets of the company’s shareholders.”

The utility’s reported profits for 2024 coincide with recent lobbying disclosures, revealing SCE spent $3.1 million on influencing the legislature. The CPUC will initiate a proceeding in late March to review the rate of return structure. Commissioner Darcie Houck recently recognized that the authorized returns currently granted to utilities far exceed market norms, contributing to the state’s ongoing electricity affordability crisis.

Contact: Lee Trotman • Ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446
Blake Marquez • Blake@sunstonestrategies.com • (310) 894-6690‬

"While SDG&E executives and shareholders rake in millions while bankrolling lobbying efforts, everyday San Diego residents are left struggling to afford skyrocketing utility bills," said Lee Trotman, Communications Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN). "This profiteering at the expense of hardworking families demands immediate action from legislators and regulators to put an end to excessive profits and reckless spending."

One major driver of SDG&E’s profits is the “rate of return” — the guaranteed percentage of profit utilities earn on infrastructure investments, which is ultimately recovered through customer bills. State regulators have allowed SDG&E to rake in excessive profits from costly projects like overpriced power lines and wildfire mitigation equipment, encouraging unnecessary spending instead of prioritizing more effective and affordable alternatives that better serve customers.

In 2024, SDG&E’s authorized 10.65 % rate of return further widened the gap between for-profit and public utility rates. Today, for-profit utility rates in California are 67% higher than those of public utilities, burdening customers with some of the nation’s highest electricity costs. Regulators at the Public Advocates Office recently noted the high rate of returns for California for-profit utilities, marking a shift in the public discourse on this issue during a hearing before the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee concerning electricity affordability.

"This week’s utility profits announcement raises important and urgent questions about what is really going into energy rates and why working people are paying so much," said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer at California Environmental Voters. "Climate justice is about affordability, and state leaders must step up to hold utilities accountable and ensure they are working towards lower rates for Californians — not just investor profits."

"This profit report is a slap in the face of San Diego ratepayers who pay a third more for their electricity than the national average and 17% more than the California average," said Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog. “The legislature needs to take steps to rein in investor-owned utilities’ profits because the California Public Utilities Commission has been little more than a rubber stamp.”

The CPUC will launch a proceeding in late March to evaluate the rate of return structure. Commissioner Darcie Houck recently acknowledged that authorized returns significantly exceed market standards and are fueling the state's electricity affordability crisis.

Contact: Lee Trotman • Ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446
Blake Marquez • Blake@sunstonestrategies.com • (310) 894-6690‬

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) today reported a 10% increase in profits from 2023 to 2024, totaling $2.48 billion dollars. This significant growth stems from six separate rate increases approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last year, raising customers’ bills by 20%. The utility's earnings have skyrocketed over the past two years, with profits having already jumped 25% in 2023.

The rate hikes and profits follow the utility’s recent disclosure that it spent $3.6 million on lobbying and public influence efforts in 2024. Additionally, the company ranked 10th in statewide influence spending during the 2023-2024 legislative session, totaling $6.7 million.

"While utility executives and shareholders reap billions and spend millions to curry influence with lawmakers, customers are forced to choose between basic necessities and utility bills," said Lee Trotman, Communications Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN). "This situation demands immediate legislative and regulatory action to curtail excessive profits, eliminate wasteful spending, and protect the public."

“PG&E’s profit surge is yet another example of corporate greed standing in the way of California’s climate progress," said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer at California Environmental Voters. "At a time when we need urgent investment in clean, affordable energy, PG&E is padding its bottom line while ratepayers foot the bill. Regulators and lawmakers must step up to rein in these runaway profits and ensure utility companies are working to create affordable rates and resiliency for Californians."

A key driver of utility profits is the "rate of return" – the percentage profit utilities can earn on investments and recover through customer bills. The state’s utility regulators have allowed PG&E to make sky-high profits from investments in infrastructure like overly expensive power lines and wildfire mitigation equipment, incentivizing spending that is not in customers’ best interest when more effective, affordable alternatives are available.

Currently, PG&E's authorized 7.28% rate of return for 2023 has contributed to a growing disparity between the rates that for-profit and public utilities charge customers. For-profit utility rates in California now exceed public utility rates by 67%.

“The rate of return issue is the 800-pound gorilla in the room, and it’s high time the PUC dealt with it rather than pumping up investor profits at ratepayers’ expense,” said Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog. “If the PUC doesn’t address the outrageous profits for PG&E coming from outrageously high utility bills, then the legislature must do it. Ratepayers at California’s investor-owned utilities deserve more affordable electricity.”

The CPUC will launch a proceeding in late March to evaluate the rate of return structure. Commissioner Darcie Houck recently acknowledged that authorized returns significantly exceed market standards and are fueling the state's electricity affordability crisis.

Meanwhile, the legislature is expected to consider several bills that would stop for-profit utilities’ price gouging and protect consumers, with the deadline to introduce bills set for Friday, February 21. Anticipated in the package would be legislation that makes utilities prioritize affordable service by requiring more effective wildfire safety measures, protects vulnerable households from disconnections as bills rise and utilities make record profits, and establishes public financing authority for big infrastructure projects like transmission lines that will save customers money.

"California’s energy future can be affordable and clean, but to get there, we need to rein in out-of-control spending and profiteering by utilities like PG&E. We can’t afford to let this continue," said Trotman.

Contact: Lee Trotman • Ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446
Blake Marquez • Blake@sunstonestrategies.com • (310) 894-6690‬

Sacramento, Calif. — California’s four major investor-owned utilities (IOUs) — for-profit corporate utilities — spent a staggering $21,854,420 on lobbying and influence efforts in 2024, working to weaken clean energy policies, consumer protections, and utility accountability measures. Leading the spending was PacifiCorp, the largest electric utility in the North Coast region and a subsidiary of the Warren Buffett-owned Berkshire Hathaway Energy, spent more than $13 million on lobbying and legal expenses in 2024, far outpacing its peers. The company paid $2.3 million to the law firm Hueston Hennigan, likely for wildfire culpability defense work, and a total of approximately $5 million in legal expenses both internally and through outside firms.

Adding to the controversy, PacifiCorp’s lobbying firm, California Advisors LLC, was fined $580,000 by the U.S. Department of Justice for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which barred lobbying firms from receiving COVID hardship funds. One of the firm’s named lobbyists in the DOJ case, Delaney Hunter, is a former Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), raising serious concerns about regulatory influence.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (Edison) spent just over $3 million each followed by Sempra Energy, parent company of SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), spent $1.6 million.

California’s for-profit utilities successfully lobbied against multiple consumer protection bills in 2024, prioritizing their profits over affordability for ratepayers. Among the defeated legislation was SB 1003 (Dodd), which aimed to rein in soaring electricity costs by requiring utilities to prioritize faster, more cost-effective wildfire mitigation strategies instead of expensive projects that inflate corporate earnings. Further, PacifiCorp, Edison, PG&E, and Sempra aggressively lobbied on wildfire mitigation policies in an effort to shift liability costs onto ratepayers. Each of these corporate utilities has faced significant financial and legal consequences for wildfires sparked by their equipment.

Utility companies have a long history of charging customers for their lobbying and public relations efforts. SoCalGas alone has funneled over $36 million in lobbying and PR costs into ratepayer accounts, while controversy erupted in 2024 when PG&E billed ratepayers for a $6 million TV ad campaign promoting its costly wildfire mitigation tactics. SB 938 (Min) sought to ban utilities from passing these expenses onto customers, but the bill was blocked in the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee following aggressive lobbying by Sempra, Edison and PG&E.

Similarly, utilities succeeded in killing AB 2054 (Bauer-Kahan), which would have increased oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and prevented industry influence over ratemaking decisions.

However, utility lobbying efforts failed in some key areas. SB 1142 (Menjivar), now signed into law, strengthens consumer protections by requiring utilities to restore service to customers who arrange a payment plan after disconnection due to unpaid utility debt. Other bills that overcame heavy industry opposition and were signed into law include:

• AB 2329 (Murasutchi) – Promotes affordable clean energy investments.

• AB 2847 (Addis) – Increases transparency by requiring utilities to disclose capital spending.

As California approaches the 2025 legislative session, consumer advocates are calling for stronger action to hold utilities accountable and protect families from excessive energy costs.

“Operating under a system that incentivizes wasteful spending allows for limitless rate hikes, and taking advantage of customers. It's no surprise utility corporations are spending millions to push back against bills that would otherwise hold them accountable,” said Mark Toney of The Utility Reform Network, “Governor Newsom must work with lawmakers and California agencies to remedy the broken system that rewards for-profit utilities at the expense of ratepayers. Families shouldn’t be footing the bill for industry lobbying and struggling to meet rising rates while corporations report record profits.”

A 2024 poll shows that California voters want policymakers to take decisive action to address the root causes of high electricity bills, including limiting how much utilities can spend and profit. Voters overwhelmingly support holding utilities accountable for controlling costs:

• 86% support requiring utilities to pursue the safest and most cost-effective wildfire mitigation strategies instead of those that maximize profits for Wall Street investors.

• 82% support prohibiting utilities from charging customers for lobbying and PR campaigns.

• 81% support limiting how much utilities can charge customers for large projects to prevent excessive profits.

Despite strong public demand for reform, lawmakers largely ignored the will of voters in 2024, failing to pass critical affordability measures. As California approaches the 2025 legislative session, utility advocates continue to push for the same essential reforms. TURN’s analysis of 2024 lobbying disclosures coincides with the release of its newly published Lawmaker Affordability and Accountability Scorecard, where champions like Senator Ben Allen ranked among the strongest voices for affordability.

Contact: Blake Marquez • Blake@sunstonestrategies.com • (310) 894-6690

“Monthly bills for customers of California’s investor-owned utilities have doubled since 2019 while utilities benefit from a rigged system that rewards wasteful spending. Our report card shows which lawmakers are fighting for affordability and which are protecting utility profits and the status quo. TURN looks forward to partnering with the Governor and Legislature on making 2025 a turning point on utility affordability,” said Mark Toney, Executive Director of TURN, the ratepayer advocacy organization.

Leading the pack in support of Californians’ right to affordable utilities were state senators and assembly members: Dave Min (D-37), Ben Allen (D-24), Jacqui Irwin (D-42), and Christopher M. Ward (D-78). Full results are available here.

TURN scored legislators based on their votes on 10 key utility affordability and accountability bills during the 2024 legislative session, with votes counting as either supporting or opposing TURN’s position. Authors of TURN-sponsored bills received a 2% bonus on their final score.

Legislative leaders in California have pointed to utility affordability as a priority for 2025. If lawmakers wish to succeed in making strides toward affordability for working families, then they must protect families, control rising bills, end record-breaking profits and wasteful spending, and create cheaper public financing solutions.

Vulnerable families need lawmakers' protection to stop disconnections, enact more effective wildfire mitigation, limit utility profit margins, and prohibit customers from being charged for influencing efforts. This year, legislative leaders must take action and make utility bills affordable for all California residents.

Contact: Blake Marquez • Blake@sunstonestrategies.com • (310) 894-6690

PG&E’s request would add to the burden on ratepayers who are already facing record-high utility costs and affordability challenges. This increase, TURN notes, comes on top of the January 25th approval of $2 billion in interim funding for PG&E’s backlogged connection projects, in addition to its authorized $7.3 billion annual budget for electric distribution.

“PG&E’s request is an abuse of SB 410’s Powering Up Californians Act “ said TURN spokesperson Lee Trotman. “The CPUC set these caps just months ago to protect customers from excessive spending so approving this increase so soon after the caps were set makes no sense. TURN calls on the CPUC to hold PG&E accountable and deny this unnecessary hike.”

Contact: Lee Trotman • Communications Director • Ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446

This victory comes after years of TURN's advocacy for reforms to the Cost of Capital Mechanism (CCM), which has long been biased in favor of utility shareholders. With this decision, the ROE increase for 2025 will be significantly smaller, saving customers more than $350 million for the year.

“While this reduction is a positive step, TURN emphasizes that it is only a small step given the numerous utility rate increase requests still awaiting Commission action. We urge the CPUC to seize every opportunity within its authority to reject rate increases and, where possible, deliver rate decreases” said TURN’s Communications Director Lee Trotman.  “TURN remains committed to providing the Commission with analysis and recommendations that prioritize ratepayer relief.”

Download Fact Sheet Here

Contact: Lee Trotman • TURN Communications Director • Ltrotman@turn.org •  (415) 248-8446

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California voters want policy leaders to take decisive action to address the root causes of high electricity bills, including limiting how much utilities can spend and profit, according to a poll conducted by David Binder Research, and released today by The Utility Reform Network (TURN). The findings come as Gov. Newsom and the legislature debate an affordability package aimed at lowering electricity bills.

“The fact that 78% of California voters expressed concern about skyrocketing monthly electric bills, sends a loud and clear message that the Governor and legislature need to take action now, to reduce utility bills in the short term, and to limit utility spending and profits moving forward,” said Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN). 

California voters indicated overwhelming support for holding utilities accountable for controlling the cost of utility service.

• 86%:  Require utilities to pursue the safest and most cost-effective wildfire mitigation strategies, instead of those that earn the most profit for Wall Street investors.

• 84%:  Protect affordability by limiting annual increases in customer bills. 

• 82%:  Prohibit utilities from charging customers for lobbying and PR campaigns.

• 81%:  Limit the amount utilities charge customers for big projects to prevent excess profit.

Despite strong public support, California utilities lobbied and killed a bill that would have prevented their lobbying costs from being passed to consumers, SB 938 (Min). The good news is that SB 1003, which would require wildfire mitigation plans to prioritize affordable, proven solutions, is headed for floor votes.

TURN is concerned that time is running out this Legislative session for policy makers to address the affordability crisis, and has urged several strategies:

• Adopt alternatives to utility capital spending that save billions of dollars for customers.

• Reform wildfire mitigation policies that increase safety, and reduce customer costs.

• Provide immediate bill reductions by returning unspent ratepayer funds. 

For more information on the poll and to request interviews, please contact Alexandra Nagy at alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org.

“I expect the Commissioners to vote to dismiss AT&T’s application to abandon its obligations to provide basic phone service because no other carriers answered the CPUC call to indicate interest in serving as Carrier of Last Resort.”
— Regina Costa, TURN Telecommunications Policy Director.

“What AT&T really wants is to stop providing essential telecom service to 99% of its service area, without providing a shred of evidence that there are real alternatives. This includes many areas threatened by wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and power shutoffs. If AT&T gets its wish, it would significantly jeopardize public safety. AT&T’s proposal is cynical and diabolical, and the CPUC is right to stop it in its tracks.”
— Regina Costa, TURN Telecommunications Policy Director.

5,000 residents, from across the state, submitted written comments to the CPUC, expressing their concerns about losing the landline phone service that they depend upon to reach first responders in times of emergency. And nearly 6,000 California residents attended at least one of eight Public Forums held across the state, either in-person, or virtually, to share how critical it is for them, and for their communities, to retain landline phone service. The proposed decision quoted extensively from comments provided by the public.

The earliest that the CPUC Commissioner may vote to dismiss AT&T’s application to withdraw as Carrier of Last Resort, is at their June 20, 2024, Public Meeting. In the meantime, TURN fully expects AT&T to mount a vigorous campaign directed at the Commissioners, the Legislature, and the media, in hopes of convincing the Commissioners to keep AT&T’s dreams alive, of abandoning landline service in California.

Contact: Regina Costa • TURN Telecom Policy Director • rcosta@turn.org •  (415) 929-8876 ext. 312

This increase is on top of the $35 monthly average increase that went into effect on January 1, 2024, and does not take into account PG&E’s December 1 request to raise monthly bills by another $14 a month, which is still pending at the CPUC, as are several other rate hike requests.

The CPUC plans to vote to adopt the proposal at its March 7, 2024 meeting. The public may comment in person in San Francisco, or provide comments by phone in:

• English: 800–857–1917, passcode: 9899501#

• Spanish: 800–857–1917, passcode: 3799627#

CPUC Prioritizes Protecting Wall Street Profits, Over Customer Pocketbooks

CPUC cites the need to preserve PG&E credit ratings as the main reason for agreeing to early collection from ratepayers. TURN argues that it is ratepayers, who need relief from record-breaking bills, that are driving an increasing number of families with young children, and elderly residents, into homelessness, when their utility service is shut off.

Skyrocketing bills also undermine California climate action goals, because people find it difficult to convert to electric stoves, heat pumps, and water heaters when they are told their monthly bills will be higher than keeping their gas appliances.

California Customers Need a Rate Cap—Unlimited Increases are Not Sustainable

The current system that sets no limits on rate increases, needs to be replaced by a cap on annual bills, set at the Cost of Living Adjustment provided by Social Security. The greed of utility executives and Wall Street investors may have no limits, but customers who are falling behind in their bills need a limit to bill increases.

Read more here.

Contact: Mark Toney • TURN Executive Director • mtoney@turn.org •  (510) 590-2862

“It is absolutely outrageous that investor-owned utilities are lobbying to weaken our state’s climate standards, and then passing these costs on to ratepayers,” said Senator Min. “SB XXX will put a stop to this practice by imposing stiff penalties on utilities that try to use ratepayer money for political purposes and creating new reporting requirements to make sure the utilities are actually complying with these rules.”

“At a time when customers are burdened with record-breaking monthly utility bills, corporations need strong limits and meaningful penalties preventing spending of any ratepayer dollars on PR television commercials and lobbying the Public Utilities Commission to raise rates even higher,” said Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN).  

"With the bill's accountability and transparency measures, Californians can be assured they are not paying for utility shenanigans in their energy bills," said Matt Vespa, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice. "For far too long, utilities like SoCalGas have tried to make their customers foot the bill for their political influence machines aimed at keeping California dependent on fossil fuels. Californians shouldn't have to pay for their utility's lobbying against climate and clean air standards."

"Californians' gas and electric bills are high enough without having to foot the bill for their utilities to lobby and campaign against their interests,” said David Pomerantz, Executive Director of the Energy and Policy Institute, a national utility watchdog organization. “The enforcement provisions in Sen. Min's bill will make California a leader in protecting customers and are desperately needed to show repeat offenders like SoCalGas that breaking the rules and harming customers will carry consequences from now on."

Senator Min’s bill will strengthen existing law, which experts have long described as a paper tiger that has failed to deter utilities from abusing funds from Californians’ energy bills. It will also explicitly define “political influence activity,” prevent energy customers from paying for membership dues in national trade groups like the American Gas Association that lobby against energy efficiency and climate protections and require utilities to disclose whether expensive advertising campaigns are paid for by their customers or their shareholders.

Contact: Mark Toney • TURN Executive Director • mtoney@turn.org •  (510) 590-2862

Written by: Matt Vespa with Earthjustice and Katy Morsony with TURN

When you think about what you’re paying for in your electric and gas utility bill, you probably think of the energy powering your lights, furnace, and stove. But you may also be paying for your utility to lobby against popular clean air and climate standards. After years of investigative work pulling documents from utilities, we now know that this is true for many Californians – and it’s not chump change, either.  From erecting front groups to lobby against state climate policies to paying a business association to recruit speakers opposing electrification at public hearings, utilities like SoCalGas have charged customers tens of millions of dollars in their campaign to keep Californians dependent on fossil fuels.  

Thankfully, new legislation has been introduced in California that can tackle this problem and ensure Californians aren’t footing the bill for their utility’s political and promotional activities. Our organizations are proud to be co-sponsoring the bill, SB 938, authored by Senator Dave Min. The Utility Accountability Act does this by clearly defining the political and advertising activities for which utility shareholders – and not customers  – must foot the bill, creating strong transparency and penalty provisions to ensure compliance, and no longer allowing utilities to charge customers for expensive memberships to trade groups that lobby against climate action like the American Gas Association and Edison Electric Institute.  

Closing the Door on A Shameful Utility Practice in California

This bill builds on existing federal regulations requiring utility shareholders to pay for efforts to influence public opinion or the decisions of public officials. Under the Utility Accountability Act, utilities can continue to charge customers for participating in proposed rules concerning the safe operation of their systems or when their engagement has been specifically requested.  However, the bill ends the shameful practice where utilities like SoCalGas charge customers for the utility’s unsolicited participation in agency actions such as proposed air quality and vehicle standards.  These are the settings where we see utilities like SoCalGaspush weaken new standards with giveaways like carve-outs for methane-burning vehicles that pollute our air and climate. 

By requiring utility shareholders to pay for these efforts, the bill protects the environment  – as utilities have shown markedly less interest in interfering with climate policy when they have to spend their own money to do so.  

For one striking example, after it was uncovered that SoCalGas used customer funds earmarked to advocate for stronger efficiency standards and building codes to instead oppose stronger regulations, the state prohibited SoCalGas from using customer money for any future advocacy in this area.  Since then, SoCalGas has largely stopped doing so even though it remains free to use shareholder money to push its agenda. 

Californians need more transparency around expensive advertising campaigns from their utilities. The bill codifies the existing policy that utility shareholders pay for public messages that tend to enhance a utility’s public image and adds a new requirement that every utility public message or advertisement will be required to clearly disclose whether shareholders or ratepayers funded the message.  

To understand why this is necessary, let’s look to PG&E: PG&E’s rates are skyrocketing while it is blanketing Northern California with television ads promoting its image as a company that takes safety seriously. Under this new legislation, the California Public Utilities Commission could easily assess whether the utility is funding messaging consistent with the new law, and Northern Californians could rest assured they weren’t unknowingly footing the bill for these types of ads.  

Making Sure Utilities Get It Right Rather than Try to Get Away With It  

While utilities have long been prohibited from charging customers for their political activity, they have done so with impunity by claiming inadvertent error when caught. With no strong consequences in place, utilities are incentivized to see what they can get away with. For example, it took eight months and an order from the state regulators before SoCalGas was forced to admit that it wrongly charged customers to pay the law firm used by the California Restaurant Association in its challenge to the City of Berkeley’s building electrification ordinance to research legal issues at the heart of that lawsuit. 

By imposing mandatory penalties that run from the day the cost is improperly assigned to customers to the day it is corrected, the bill motivates utilities to get it right and ensure customers are not inappropriately charged. These penalties shouldn’t represent a threat to their shareholder’s bottom lines: to the extent that utilities remain in compliance with existing limitations, the new potential for penalty should be of little concern.

The bill’s transparency provisions will also help with deterrence and efficient enforcement. The bill requires that the utility submit annual reports identifying employees and associated salaries for any employee working in a utility line of business related to political influence and advertising. These reporting and disclosure requirements will streamline the review of political influence and advertising to ensure ratepayers have not been inappropriately charged.  

Utilities also charge Californians millions each year for memberships to trade associations such as the American Gas Association for activities that include challenges to appliance efficiency standards and pushing state laws to prohibit cities from requiring all-electric new construction.  This bill follows states like New York by putting that requirement into law and expanding it to limit recovery of dues for a trade association group if any portion of the dues would fund political influence or advertising and assures that Californians will not be indirectly funding the same organizations that are otherwise advocating against California’s climate goals.  

For years, utilities in California have gotten away with slipping the costs of their political influence machines into Californians’ energy bills. It’s time to pass common-sense measures to end this shameful practice and protect Californians’ pocketbooks and our climate with a forward-looking new law.

Contact: Katy Morsony • TURN Staff Attorney • kmorsony@turn.org •  (415) 929-8876 ext. 313

The ink barely dry on the November 16 CPUC decision on the General Rate Case adding $33 to monthly bills of typical residential customers at the beginning of 2024, PG&E wasted little time filing a motion requesting that the CPUC authorize early collection from customers of $1.58 billion starting on May 1, 2024.

PG&E wants to start collecting from customers, even before the CPUC has completed a proceeding with all of the parties, and issued a ruling approving, rejecting or modifying the $2 billion request.

Another Tip of the Iceberg—With More PG&E Increases on the Way

Customer bills will increase by at least another $12 a month starting in May if the CPUC grants early collection, and up to $20 a month, if they approve the full PG&E request. This increase would be stacked, on top of the $33 increase already approved, and stacked on top of additional true up increases that take effect on January 1.

2024 is shaping up to be a painful year for PG&E customers, who may be looking at bill increases of $40–$60 a month more than in 2023, once all the increases are added up.

California Customers Need a Rate Cap—Unlimited Increases are Not Sustainable

The current system that sets no limits on rate increases, needs to be replaced by a cap on annual bills, set at the Cost of Living Adjustment provided by Social Security.

The greed of utility executives and Wall Street investors may have no limits, but customers who are falling behind in their bills need a cap to unlimited bill increases.

Contact: Mark Toney • TURN Executive Director • mtoney@turn.org •  (510) 590-2862

TURN wants the Commission to adopt the original Proposed Decision, issued by the Administrative Law Judge after an impartial 18-month review of the proceeding record, that found that insulating overhead power lines results in a greater reduction of wildfires risk than burying power lines, can be installed far quicker, and at a fraction of the cost, moderating rate increases to 9%. TURN continues oppose the Alternative Proposed Decision, whose recommendations are not based on evidence presented in the rate case hearings, that would give PG&E an additional $2 billion to bury more power lines, as well PG&E proposals to add another $1.8 billion.

“TURN opposes PG&E proposals to line the furs of Wall Street investors by squeezing an additional $1.8 billion from ratepayers pockets,” says TURN Executive Director Mark Toney. “It is time for the CPUC to stand up for customers and choose safety and affordability, and vote to adopt the original Proposed Decision at their November 16 meeting.”

See the November 7 PG&E presentation to the CPUC, and the November 8 TURN response.

Contact: Mark Toney • TURN Executive Director • mtoney@turn.org •  (510) 590-2862

“While these communications services have been essential to modern life, the pandemic deepened our reliance on them and underscored our reliance on them,” said Commissioner Darcie Houck. “This rulemaking seeks to ensure that all Californians receive the minimum level of service quality that allows them access to emergency information and to fully participate in modern life.”

The Utility Reform Network (TURN) strongly supports California PUC efforts to improve service quality requirements and apply them to all essential communications services. Californians depend on reliable communications services, regardless of the technology used to deliver them. Unreliable phone and cell phone service puts lives at risk, and unreliable broadband jeopardizes people’s ability to work, attend school, use remote healthcare, and receive essential information. We applaud the CPUC for launching its proceeding to ensure that all essential communications services are consistently reliable, especially when Californians need them the most.

Referring to a recent CPUC study examining the networks of AT&T and Frontier, Commissioner Houck stated, “The study found that communities in areas with the lowest household income suffered the most from poor service quality resulting from insufficient network investment and maintenance.”

Today’s CPUC action to launch its service quality proceeding paves the way for all Californians to receive reliable communications now and in the future, regardless of technology they use.

Contact: Regina Costa • TURN Telecommunications Policy Director • rcosta@turn.org • (415) 786–8831

• PG&E reduced other capital spending by $3 billion due to undergrounding, resulting in a net increase of $7 billion in capital spending.

• PG&E estimates the bill impacts of this record-breaking increase for the average residential non-CARE customer as $36/month, an increase of $432/year—before the $7 billion increase for undergrounding is taken into account.

• PG&E estimates the bill impacts of this increase for the average residential CARE customer as $24/month, an increase of $288/year.

CPUC Must Live Up to Its Commitment to Affordable Bills & Reject Stunning PG&E Proposal

• Mindboggling PG&E increases are a punch in the gut to millions of California residents hurting economically from the pandemic and struggling to get back on their feet.

• The proposed GRC increases are on top of 20% PG&E bill increases already approved in 2022, and do not include PG&E’s $5.5 billion wildfire mitigation spending not yet approved.

• The CPUC needs to protect affordable monthly bills by capping all rate increases at the rate of inflation, or the COLA increase received each year by people on Social Security.

• TURN will release a statement discussing the details of the PG&E proposal to underground thousands of miles of existing wires after thorough review.

Contact: Mark Toney • TURN Executive Director • mtoney@turn.org • (510) 590-2862