Lawmakers Push for Cost-Effective Utility Solutions to Lessen Energy Bills

Source: KRCR TV ABC7  |  By Muna Sadek

In Sacramento, lawmakers are pushing a bill that they say would help save ratepayers money on their energy bills. Under Senate Bill 1003, utility companies, like Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), could be required to consider cheaper, more cost-effective options when it comes to their infrastructure. It would direct the California Office of Electrical Infrastructure Safety to consider the timeliness of infrastructure upgrades in utility wildfire mitigation plans.

Ratepayer advocates with The Utility Reform Network (TURN) says companies should insulate overhead power lines, noting is it is a far cheaper option and would not result in higher energy bills for customers. "We have to fix the broken system where the sky's the limit. There are no limits to how much PG&E can ask for or how many times a year," said TURN Executive Director Mark Toney. Toney says undergrounding one mile of power line costs about $4 million while insulating wire costs $800,000. "If you have a cheaper alternative to increase safety, it only makes sense to do that and give customers the best bang for the buck, the most return for their hard-earned dollar," Toney said.