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Senator Brian Dahle raised concerns during Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy when the majority party used the budget hearing to influence the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on a recent policy issue.
The subcommittee discussed a proposal by the CPUC for a program that would require certain utilities to buy excess power generated by community solar facilities at a premium cost. The CPUC’s pending decision rejects a proposal from Democrats and solar advocates, which would increase costs by up to $64 billion for people without access to community solar.
Unconcerned with the potential increased rates, and appearing unhappy with the recommendation to reject the advocates’ cost-increasing proposal, several Democrat lawmakers signed a letter demanding the CPUC support their solar scheme.
Dahle stated in a press release, "The Legislature needs to look at these projects and make sure they are not harming non-participants. This is a policy issue and shouldn’t even be discussed in a budget subcommittee. Sacramento Dems need to stop supporting policies that are bankrupting constituents. Californians have a right to safe, affordable, and reliable energy."