Glendale utility outlines $9.3M PBC plan, expands rebates and EV incentives

Glendale Water & Power (GWP) staff presented a two‑year package of clean‑energy programs funded through the utility’s public benefit charge (PBC) and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), asking the City Council on June 4 to approve program design and preliminary budgets ahead of final budget adoption June 24.

The PBC portfolio shown to the council proposed $9,300,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 and $11,500,000 for fiscal year 2026–27, with large shares directed to energy bill assistance for income‑qualified customers and new or expanded rebates for heat‑pump water heaters, heat‑pump HVAC systems and electric‑panel upgrades, GWP said.

Why it matters: the PBC is paid through a utility surcharge and is earmarked for energy‑efficiency, renewables and low‑income assistance. The council questioned whether the fund balance and the proposed pace of program roll‑out matched community needs and asked staff for plans to scale programs that show strong uptake.

GWP clean energy staff said the portfolio aims to balance customer outreach, equity and cost‑effectiveness. “Our portfolio is built to provide diverse programs to all customers in Glendale, empowering them to reduce…