A portion of our electric and gas bills pays for energy efficiency programs. A state audit says the CPUC needs to improve its oversight. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

- The California Public Utilities Commission needs to strengthen its oversight of energy efficiency programs, a state audit says.
- Such programs are paid for by utility customers in their monthly bills.
- The audit questions whether ratepayers have been getting the biggest bang for our bucks.
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A recent report by the California State Auditor’s office says that the California Public Utilities Commission needs to do a better job making sure that the state’s utility companies are spending money on energy efficiency programs that are cost-effective and also do the best job of helping the state meet its energy-reduction goals.
Energy efficiency programs such as light bulb and thermostat replacements are paid for by utility customers in rates separate from their electric and natural gas usage, and total billions of dollars.
The state audit, which was requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, reviewed the portfolios of energy efficiency programs for Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company from 2012 through 2022 and targeted 20 efficiency programs.
The audit’s main takeaways: The portfolios did not achieve their goals and were “rarely” cost-effective, and the 20 programs reviewed did not achieve energy savings and also were not cost-effective for the most part.
Related Story: CA Bill Would Stop PG&E From Sticking Ratepayers With Ad and Lobbying
Programs not Cost Effective
Over the decade studied, state auditors found that utility company spending on efficiency programs continued to decrease. When there is less spending on energy efficiency programs, the CPUC reduces the amount that the utility companies collect from customers.
But even though the CPUC spends millions in ratepayer dollars on independent evaluations of efficiency programs, the agency does not follow up to make sure the utilities follow resulting recommendations for improving the programs’ performance, the audit found.
A key finding of the state audit is that the CPUC has allowed the utilities to operate energy efficiency programs for years that are not meeting energy-savings goals and are not cost effective according to its formula of costs and benefits.
That formula, however, does not fully capture non-energy benefits to participants, such as cleaner air or increased property values, state auditors said.
The CPUC’s response to the audit was to agree with all but one of the auditor’s recommendations and pledge to engage regularly with the utility companies to review and discuss the performance of efficiency programs and also consider how to add non-energy benefits into calculations.
Audit Report
RELATED TOPICS:
Conforto Comes Through, Dodgers Rally in 8th for Victory Abetted by Mets Mishap
1 day ago
Giants Beat the Slumping Braves in 10 Innings on a Wild Pitch
1 day ago
Trans Troops, Facing a Deadline, Opt to Stay and Fight the Ban
1 day ago
Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue
19 hours ago
Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says
20 hours ago
Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment
1 day ago
Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz
1 day ago
Coco Gauff Defeats Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 Sets to Win Her First French Open Title
1 day ago
Texas Beats Texas Tech in 3rd Game of WCWS to Win Its 1st National Championship
1 day ago
Conforto Comes Through, Dodgers Rally in 8th for Victory Abetted by Mets Mishap
1 day ago
Giants Beat the Slumping Braves in 10 Innings on a Wild Pitch
1 day ago
Trans Troops, Facing a Deadline, Opt to Stay and Fight the Ban
1 day ago
Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue
19 hours ago
Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says
20 hours ago
Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment
1 day ago
Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz
1 day ago
Coco Gauff Defeats Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 Sets to Win Her First French Open Title
1 day ago
Texas Beats Texas Tech in 3rd Game of WCWS to Win Its 1st National Championship
1 day ago
Conforto Comes Through, Dodgers Rally in 8th for Victory Abetted by Mets Mishap
1 day ago
Giants Beat the Slumping Braves in 10 Innings on a Wild Pitch
1 day ago
Trans Troops, Facing a Deadline, Opt to Stay and Fight the Ban
1 day ago
Sights & Sounds: The 2025 Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival
14 hours ago
Categories

Trump Says Musk Relationship Over, Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ if He Funds Democrats

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue

Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says

Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment

Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz
