"Based on your ability to pay."
-
California utility companies propose charging customers based on how much money they make
Three major utility companies in California are looking to restructure customer billing, and part of that means customers could be charged based on how much money they make.
Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric filed a joint proposal this week for a flat-rate charge based on income.
The plan would break monthly bills in two parts: The fixed-income rate, plus a reduced usage charge based on consumption.
Under the proposal, it would cost as little as $15 a month for low-income households and up to $85 more per month for households making more than $180,000 a year.
While that specific cost would go up, the actual electricity rate would go down by a third. It means customers could control their bill somewhat - if they're able to reduce electricity use.
The income-based bill proposal is part of the companies' compliance with legislation passed by the California state government last year requiring these types of plans for utilities.
I have no problem with charging a flat rate for everyone, and then adding a "usage" fee on top of that, based on...usage.
But the "flat rate" is income-based?
-
Equity!
-
I’m thinking that California is pushing down the price that they are allowed to charge, they aren’t making the money they need to for infrastructure improvements, and this is the solution that they are coming up with. I simply cannot believe that a business wants to charge based on income levels.
Will Gas be next? Telecommunications? Housing?
-
Goofy idea. I believe that many/most? US utility companies have things in place to help low income personnel.
