Wildfire prevention and climate programs have drastically raised Californians’ monthly electricity bills, potentially forcing state leaders to balance ambitious carbon emissions goals with affordability concerns, the state analyst said.
A report released Tuesday by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office comes as state legislative leaders vow to tackle cost of living issues including high energy costs.
Lawmakers “may be faced with a frank decision about how to balance the state’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals — and all of the associated benefits — against the inevitable costs that will result for ratepayers,” the report found…