1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support and co-sponsor SB 332, the Investor-Owned Utility Accountability Act, introduced by Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab. This critical legislation addresses long-standing issues of affordability and safety that impact millions of Californians under the control of investor-owned utilities (IOUs). Even though our area is served by Southern California Edison (SCE), the issues that SB 332 seeks to address affect us all. Ratepayers across the state continue to face unjustified cost increases, fire hazards, and a lack of accountability from IOUs, all while these corporations continue to send billions to shareholders. Californians deserve transparency, fairness, and a system that prioritizes public safety and affordability over corporate profits. SB 332 offers a comprehensive approach to reform by: • Capping IOU rate increases to align with the Consumer Price Index • Protecting vulnerable ratepayers from life-threatening utility shut-offs • Reducing ratepayer contributions to the Wildfire Fund while increasing IOU financial responsibility • Mandating annual audits and equipment replacement in high fire risk areas • Tying executive compensation to safety metrics • Requiring undergrounding of replacement equipment to reduce fire risks • Investing in resilience hubs and community infrastructure for energy security during emergencies • Conducting a feasibility study to explore alternative utility structures that better serve ratepayers This legislation is an essential step toward holding IOUs accountable and ensuring that the people of California are not left footing the bill for corporate negligence. I urge you to stand with Senator Wahab and support this bill. Furthermore, I encourage you to explore the Community-Owned Utility model, which has been shown to provide more reliable service and lower rates. While our region is currently served by SCE, I strongly believe that California should take a leadership role in transitioning away from investor-owned utilities toward publicly owned, community-driven energy solutions that prioritize affordability, sustainability, and safety. I appreciate your time and leadership on this issue, and I look forward to your response. Please let me know how I can support your efforts to advance SB 332 and ensure a fairer energy future for all Californians.