San Diego City Wire

Senate Minority Leader Jones has issued a statement in response to the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) approval of a new $24.15 fixed charge for SDG&E, PG&E, and SCE customers. The commission, comprised of members hand-selected by Governor Newsom, has come under fire from Jones who criticized their decision as being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Californians.

Jones stated, “It’s blatantly clear that Governor Newsom’s Public Utilities Commission is out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Californians. Their rubber-stamp approval to add a new $24.15 per month electricity charge is unfair and unjust. Even worse, thanks to Democrat lawmakers, the Commission now has the power to jack up this fee whenever they please—$24 today could easily be $100 next year. The Newsom Administration should hang their heads in shame for imposing this heavy burden on already struggling Californians who are barely making ends meet. Now is not the time for more government-mandated fees!”

Jones has been vocal in his opposition to this fixed charge. His concerns were recently outlined in an op-ed published by the San Diego Union-Tribune where he urged the CPUC to reject it. Earlier this year, Jones introduced the Cost of Living Reduction Act aimed at repealing the mandate for this new fixed charge. Despite garnering support from thousands of Californians who signed a petition backing the measure, it was rejected by Democrats on the Senate Energy Committee.