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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Rose Horowitch

Richer people pay more: California’s dramatic change to electricity bills

Power lines in Rosemead, California. The state will impose income-based electricity fees in 2025.
Power lines in Rosemead, California. The state will impose income-based electricity fees in 2025. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

California will soon become the first state to determine residents’ electricity fees based on their income as part of a new effort to spur households toward full electrification and bring down the state’s soaring electricity costs for low-income Californians.

Electricity bills are made up of fixed costs as well as fees that vary based on the amount of electricity residents use. Last year, the state passed a law giving the California public utilities commission a 1 July 2024 deadline to determine a fixed charge for household electric bills based on people’s income.

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