The California Public Utilities Commission voted to let the state’s big investor-owned utilities — including Pacific Gas & Electric — add a fixed charge to people’s power bills each month. For most people, the charge will be $24.15 per month and it will pay for installing and maintaining the equipment necessary to transmit electricity to homes. Residents with lower incomes who are enrolled in one of two discount programs will pay less, either $6 or $12 per month.
"It provides affordability for lower-income Californians and those living in other parts of the state most impacted by extreme weather," California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Busching Reynolds said.For people who don’t use as much energy, the new fixed charge could increase their bill each month. This includes people who live in smaller apartments or who live in cooler areas and don’t use air conditioning as much.