Senator Pérez introduces legislation to hold utility companies accountable to ratepayers for wildfire and climate disasters

Sacramento – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez has introduced legislation to advance policy requiring investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to prioritize investments in making their electrical infrastructure more resilient and reliable in areas prone to wildfires and other natural disasters.

“I represent the people who live in the communities devastated by the Eaton Fire. While the cause of this tragedy is still being investigated, we know that utility company equipment and management practices have caused or been a significant factors in multiple megafires. Californians are demanding greater accountability,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena).

SB 256 aims to enhance the resiliency and reliability of California’s electrical infrastructure in areas prone to wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters by requiring utilities to prioritize the undergrounding of power lines, expand the use of microgrid technologies, and implement stronger safeguards and standards for Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Additionally, it will also seek to grant the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) immediate access to all relevant data from utilities regarding electrical faults related to natural disasters.

“Edison’s rate increase, approved last week, is directly tied to its $1.6 billion liability from the 2017 Thomas Fire. It was shocking and deeply frustrating to see the utility push this burden onto consumers,” said Senator Pérez. “The CPUC, in its critical role of protecting consumers, can play a key part in taking stronger action to hold utilities accountable and ensure that rate payers aren’t unfairly burdened by the costs of corporate liabilities.”

“Labor also has an important role to play in pushing reforms that hold utilities accountable to ensure the system works for consumers, while also protecting working families from being unfairly burdened by the costs of corporate failures. Imposing a rate increase on all ratepayers, including my constituents, who are still reeling from January’s devastating Eaton Fire, is both unfair and irresponsible. We must do better,” said Senator Pérez.

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.