Plain English Breakdown
The official status indicates a veto, but it is unclear from the provided metadata if that veto was overridden by lawmakers later.
Rules for Utility Rate Votes and Renewable Energy Goals
This vetoed bill would change how the Public Utilities Commission handles large rate increases and extend renewable energy rules to future time periods.
What This Bill Does
- Prohibits placing decisions that raise rates for electric companies with revenue requirements over $1 billion on a consent agenda without full discussion.
- Requires at least 30 minutes of public comment before voting if an electric company's customer rates increase by more than 5%.
- Applies current renewable energy procurement rules to compliance periods set after December 31, 2030.
- Maintains the rule that local utilities with over 40% large hydroelectric power do not need to meet certain renewable targets.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
- Electric corporations with revenue requirements exceeding $1 billion
- Local publicly owned electric utilities
Terms To Know
- Consent agenda
- A list of routine items that a group agrees to approve quickly without debating each one individually.
- Ratesetting proceeding
- An official process where regulators decide how much an electric company can charge its customers for power.
- Renewables Portfolio Standard Program
- A state rule requiring electricity sellers to get a minimum amount of their power from renewable sources like wind or solar.
Limits and Unknowns
- The governor vetoed this bill, so it did not become law.
- It is unknown if lawmakers later voted to override the governor's veto.
- The text does not specify which electric companies have revenue requirements over $1 billion.