Legislative Summary

For The Low Income Oversight Board (LIOB) Meeting on 24 March, 2009, at Burbank.

Bills Related to Energy Low-Income

Programs

Senate Bill No. 14 Assembly Bill No. 413 Senate Bill No. 695 Assembly Bill No. 1316

Brief Overview

AB 413 consists of a reintroduction of several components of last year’s SB 14.

SB 695 consists of a reintroduction of several components of last year’s SB 14, and mirrors this year’s AB 413, but removes participation from gas corporations.

AB 1316 consists of provisions that impact the role of the Low Income Oversight Board (LIOB).

Relevant Provisions ( SB 14)

Establish income levels at 200% of federal poverty guidelines level.

Focus low-income energy efficiency (LIEE) programs on multifamily homes and upper tier users.

Require the CPUC to deploy low-income energy efficiency programs, designed to reach as many eligible customers as practicable, by December 31, 2014.

Listed provisions are similar to AB 413 and SB 695.

CPUC Position on SB 14

Establish income levels at 200% of federal poverty guidelines level.

CPUC Position : The CPUC would prefer to retain the flexibility of

changing the eligibility criteria for CARE depending on the state’s changing economic conditions

Focus low-income energy efficiency programs on multifamily homes and high tier customers

CPUC Position : Targeting specific customers, like high energy

users and multifamily customers, is discriminatory against low-income individuals that fall outside of the targeted customer classifications.

The CPUC’s current directive is for utilities to expand outreach efforts to customers with high energy use, burden, or insecurity.

“…to reach as many eligible customers as practicable, by December 31, 2014.”

CPUC Position: Conflicts with Strategic Plan and Decision

Plan : “By 2020, 100% of eligible and willing customers will have received all cost effective low-income energy efficiency measures.”

D.08-11-03: CPUC approved substantial budget increases to provide LIEE assistance to 25% of eligible and willing customers during 2009 to 2011.

AB 1316

The CPUC would assign employees of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) to assist the LIOB.

The LIOB would be required to review and make recommendations on the proposed budgets for low-income electricity, gas, and water programs prior to approval by the Commission.

The CPUC would have to report the results of each Low-Income Needs Assessment biannually to the Legislature.

The bill would eliminate the LIOB’s authority to establish a technical advisory committee.

Additional Bills that might be of interest to the LIOB

AB 3 - Deals with workforce preparation and training particularly for low-income communities

AB 64 - Renewable Portfolio AB 212 - Zero net energy buildings AB 1027 - Solar school and non-profit program SB 17 - Smart Grid SB 675 - $5 Billion dollar bond for energy job

training SB 806 - Limiting administrative costs of energy

efficiency programs to 5%