Electricity: fixed charges: repeal.

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Existing law authorizes the commission to adopt new, or expand existing, fixed charges, as defined, for the purpose of collecting a reasonable portion of the fixed costs of providing electrical service to residential customers. Existing law requires the commission to continue a program of assistance to low-income electrical and gas customers with annual household incomes that are no greater than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, as specified, which is referred to as the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program. Under existing law, the commission may authorize fixed charges for any rate schedule applicable to a residential customer account for the purpose described above and for the CARE program. Existing law requires the commission, no later than July 1, 2024, to authorize a fixed charge for default residential rates. Existing law requires these fixed charges to be established on an income-graduated basis, with no fewer than 3 income thresholds, so that low-income ratepayers in each baseline territory would realize a lower average monthly bill without making any changes in usage. This bill would repeal the provisions described in the preceding paragraph.