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County committee backs state bill to increase transparency for CCA exit fees
Summary
The committee voted to support AB1 1761, a bill seeking greater transparency in how PCIA exit fees are set when consumers shift from investor‑owned utilities to community choice aggregators, and asked staff to prepare a county position and further analysis for the Board.
Santa Barbara County’s Legislative Program Committee voted to support AB1 1761 on March 2 after staff presented the measure and county staff summarized potential local impacts.
The bill, explained by county staffer Liz, aims to require clearer timelines and more notice in the CPUC process that sets the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) — the exit fee charged when customers move from investor‑owned utilities to community choice aggregators (CCAs). Liz said the author’s office and CCAs want more transparency because current practice sometimes provides late notice of fee settings, in some cases "as short as a day's notice," leaving little time for consumers or CCAs to evaluate long‑term costs.
Why it matters: county staff said the PCIA directly affects household electricity bills and CCA operations in the county (most residents are served by 3CE unless they opt out). Greater transparency could help residents and local officials understand how long‑term contracts and costs are being allocated and reduce confusing year‑to‑year rate shifts.
What the LPC did: members directed staff to research whether the bill aligns with the county platform and to draft a support letter for the author and relevant policy committee if appropriate. Supervisor Prece and other members emphasized consumer‑protection and transparency themes in the county's sustainability and platform documents.
Next steps: staff will prepare the research and a draft position, coordinate with the county CEO’s office and the LPC, and bring the item to the Board as needed for formal approval.
