A major overhaul of electricity rates is coming to California. The state Public Utilities Commission voted last Friday to switch from a four tier billing system to two tier system. As a result some low-use customers may see their bills increase, while high-use customers may see reductions. The tiers must be in place by 2019.
Another state body, the California Energy Commission also made news last week by giving the owners of a proposed power plant and fertilizer factory in Kern County a 6 month extension. The plant would turn coal into gas to produce both electricity and other products. Groups including The Sierra Club wanted the commission to reject the project outright after the company failed to reach an agreement with the owners of a local oil field to store the plant’s CO2 underground.
John Cox of the Bakersfield Californian joined us to talk about what the news on both projects means for local residents.