Low-Income Challenges in California

Seeing an ongoing need to find additional ways to bring clean energy options to limited-income neighborhoods and other similarly disadvantaged communities, the commission announced formation of a new advisory group whose members are charged with providing the PUC with assistance and advice on designing carbon reduction programs with an eye on inclusivity of such areas. The commission drew attention to the fact that the advisory group will be instrumental in helping the commission learn not only about low-income urban areas, but also income-challenged regions in more remote locations and on tribal lands. 

The commission explained that because many pockets of economically distressed residents are proximate to industrial and/or heavily commercial installations, they suffer disproportionately from pollution and GHG emissions therefrom. Moreover, the commission propounded that such consumers can be more difficult to reach with meaningful messages about ways to conserve energy and thus lower their utility bills and minimize their exposure to toxic emissions. As a result, the commission said, it had determined that an outside group that could facilitate more effective communications with such customers was imperative. 

Denominated the Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DCAG), the commission stated that the 11 members appointed come from a broad array of private, public, and governmental interests, such as Earthjustice, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Rising Sun Energy Center, and the Governor's Tribal Liaison. The commission expressed confidence that the leadership provided by the group will be critical in aiding residents of affected communities in taking advantage of the attributes of renewable resources, energy efficiency, and even transportation electrification. 

In conjunction with the creation of the DCAG, the commission also named four new members to its already existing Low-Income Oversight Board. Re Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group, Resolution E-4893, Mar. 2, 2018 (Cal.P.U.C.).