California legislators prepare to vote on a crackdown on utility spending
Time:2024-04-23 15:49:11 Source:politicsViews(143)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A crackdown on how some of the nation’s largest utilities spend customers’ money faces a do-or-die vote Monday in the California Legislature.
Californians already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country, in part because of the expensive work required to maintain and upgrade electrical equipment to reduce the risk of wildfires in a state with long, dry summers.
As rates continue to climb, utilities like Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric have faced increasing scrutiny from consumer groups over how they spend the money they collect.
Utilities aren’t allowed to use money from customers to pay for things like advertising or lobbying. Instead, utilities must pay for those activities with money from private investors who have bought stock shares.
Consumer groups say utilities are finding ways around those rules. They accuse them of using money from customers to fund trade groups that lobby legislators and for TV ads disguised as public service announcements, including some recent ads by PG&E.
Previous:Greek and Turkish delegations meet in Athens as part of efforts to improve often strained ties
You may also like
- North Korea files short
- US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022
- Lawyer for former top lawmaker in Michigan House expects he will be charged
- The Paris Games' grandiose opening ceremony is being squeezed by security and transport issues
- Delta Air Lines, facing another union attempt to organize flight attendants, is raising their pay
- Early voting for S. Korea's parliamentary elections kicks off
- Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 32,414
- Supreme Court gives some military veterans more generous educational benefits
- 'Classless' fan heckles at wrestler Jordan Burrough at US Olympic trials