Governor signs bill boosting utility bill discounts
The new law will temporarily boost funding for the state's Electric Assistance Program by shifting a small portion of the funds currently directed to energy efficiency. Both programs are paid for through a small surcharge on electric bills.
The law calls for redirecting about $5 million over the next 18 months. Customers who make up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program, which offers discounts ranging from 5 to 70 percent depending on household size and income.
Related News

California electricity pricing changes pose an existential threat to residential rooftop solar
LOS ANGELES - The California Public Service Commission has proposed changes in electricity pricing for residential customers who produce electricity through their rooftop solar panels. In a recent New York Times op‐ed, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger argued the changes pose an existential threat to residential rooftop solar. Interest groups favoring rooftop solar portray the current pricing system, often called net metering, in populist terms: “Net metering is the one opportunity for the little guy to get relief, and they want to put the kibosh on it.” And conventional news coverage suggests that because rooftop solar is an obvious good development…