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Advocates ask Santa Ana Council to back utility-transparency bills and regional resolutions
Summary
Climate and consumer advocates urged the council to support state-level reforms and a local resolution demanding transparency from utilities, citing steep rate increases and executive bonuses at Southern California Edison.
Climate and consumer advocates told the Santa Ana City Council on June 16 that rising utility costs and opaque rate-setting processes warrant local support for state reforms and a regional resolution.
Adria Gama, speaking for a climate-action organization, said Southern California Edison rates have risen sharply and urged the city to join other cities in asking state regulators for clearer data and independent verification of billing models. “Southern California Edison ya han aumentado más en la última década 101%,” she said in Spanish, and asked the council to back a 2026 package of measures referenced in testimony (attendees referred to “ley 463” and related reforms).
Virginia Bernal (identified herself as an area resident and community leader) urged the council to advocate for affordable electricity and cited executive compensation and proposed reforms being discussed in the Legislature. Speakers referenced a request that the city consider a resolution similar to one adopted in other nearby cities to press for greater transparency from utilities and from the California Public Utilities Commission.
Why it matters: Advocates said changes to how electricity bills are calculated and the absence of full disclosure can translate into large costs for low-income households. Commenters asked the council to join regional partners in supporting specific state bills and resolutions mentioned during public comment.
Council response and next steps: Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and discussed reviewing models from other cities; Mayor Mescua and other members said they supported transparency and would consider drafting a municipal resolution. No final council resolution was adopted during the June 16 meeting.
Authorities and references: speakers mentioned state-level reforms by numerical references used in testimony (referred to in the meeting as “ley 463” and “ley 905” and a package that included bills cited as SB 886); the transcript did not include ordinance text or formal council referrals for these bills during the meeting.
