Energy: electric rates: public elementary and secondary schools.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for electrical corporations and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. Existing law requires public utilities to develop programs in cooperation with local school districts in reducing their electricity and gas bills through conservation and improvements in efficiency. Existing law authorizes public utilities to offer school districts on a priority basis, and authorizes school districts to utilize, any programs or incentives for commercial customers developed by the utility and approved by the commission, including rebates, loan programs, and incentives for the installation of efficient lighting, heating, or cooling systems. This bill would require the commission to consider the effects of establishing a rate for electric service specific to public elementary and secondary schools, including consideration of the extent to which the average electrical bills paid by public elementary and secondary schools will increase or decrease and the consistency between establishing the rate and other statutory obligations and state policies. The bill would require the commission to report its findings and conclusions to the relevant policy committees of the Legislature by January 1, 2018.