Plain English Breakdown
The official text contains conflicting phrasing ('residential, small business, and emissions-intensive trade-exposed' vs 'the residential and small business') regarding which customers get August/September credits; the summary reflects the specific distinction made for emissions-intensive customers in August only.
AB-729: Setting Dates for Climate Credits on Utility Bills
This law sets specific months when electric and gas companies must put climate credits on customer bills, unless the Public Utilities Commission directs otherwise.
What This Bill Does
- Requires electric California Climate Credits to be given to residential and small business customers in August and September each year.
- Requires electric California Climate Credits to be given to emissions-intensive trade-exposed retail customers only in August of each year.
- Requires natural gas California Climate Credits to be given to residential customers on their February bills each year.
- Allows the Public Utilities Commission to change these required months if it directs otherwise.
Who It Names or Affects
- Residential and small business electric utility customers
- Emissions-intensive trade-exposed retail electric customers
- Residential natural gas utility customers
Terms To Know
- California Climate Credit
- A bill credit given to customers using revenues from greenhouse gas allowances allocated to utilities.
- Emissions-intensive trade-exposed retail customer
- A specific category of electric utility customer defined by existing law who receives climate credits in August only.
Limits and Unknowns
- The Public Utilities Commission can change the required months for these credits.
- This bill states that no state reimbursement is needed for local agencies regarding this act.
- Violating a commission order implementing this law remains a crime under existing law.