Survey: Californians Blame Utility Company Spending, Profits for High Electricity Rates
Source: GV Wire, Fresno | By Nancy Price
A new survey of California voters shows that most blame utility company spending and profit-taking for skyrocketing electricity costs. According to the survey results, there was overwhelming agreement on some key issues:
93% said wasteful spending by utility companies, including for lobbying, PR, and marketing campaigns, needs to be reined in.
90% said AI data centers need to pay their fair share.
90% said modernized building codes are needed to ensure energy efficiency.
85% supported rejecting rate increases that lead to excessive profit margins for utility companies.
“It is clear from the polling data that California residents expect their elected representatives to take action now, and pass legislation that will limit utility overspending, trim record-breaking corporate profits, support public financing to reduce long-term costs, and provide short-term ratepayer relief,” Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network, said in a news release Thursday. The Utility Reform Network, a Bay-Area based advocacy nonprofit, is scheduled to hold a news conference at noon Thursday in front of the state Capitol with a coalition that includes the AARP, California Large Energy Consumers Association, California Farm Bureau, and Small Business Utility Advocate urging California legislators to proceed with affordability legislation.
