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AB 99 advances amid debate: lawmakers weigh capping IOU rate increases above inflation
Summary
Assemblymember Ta introduced AB 99 to limit investor-owned utility rate increases to the rate of inflation except for narrowly defined exceptions; the committee passed the bill to Appropriations after contested testimony from utilities, labor and consumer advocates.
Assemblymember Ta presented Assembly Bill 99 to the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, proposing a statutory mechanism to limit investor-owned utilities (IOUs) from raising rates beyond the rate of inflation, subject to specific exceptions for safety-related investments, modernization, and higher commodity or fuel costs.
Ta told the committee AB 99 is meant to protect vulnerable Californians, including seniors on fixed incomes, from rate increases that outpace inflation. “This legislation provides reasonable exception for costs directly related to safety enhancement, modernization, and higher commodity or fuel costs,” Ta said, and said the office would work to strengthen verification so exceptions were not abused.
Supporters included Jim Bohan of the California Senior Legislature, who told the committee that many seniors have been hit with steep electricity increases and…
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