Newsom vetoes bill to create California PUC inspector general

This is mostly California utility policy news, with little direct effect on home energy upgrades. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill, AB 353, that would have created an inspector general to oversee the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the agency that regulates electric and gas utilities and sets many rules affecting utility bills. Newsom said the bill had flaws and would cost tens of millions of dollars not accounted for in the state budget. He also vetoed AB 1761, which would have forced utilities and the CPUC to disclose the data behind a fee called the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment, a charge that shows up on some electricity bills for customers who get power through community choice providers rather than a traditional utility.

At the same time, Newsom signed other energy bills. One, AB 192, sets up a new state program to help finance and speed up construction of large, high-voltage transmission lines needed for grid reliability and clean energy goals. Another, AB 1715, requires utilities to report public grants they receive and pass the savings on to customers. A third, AB 2266, aims to simplify utility reporting and grid planning.

None of this changes rebates, incentives, or rules for home upgrades like heat pumps or insulation. It mainly affects how California regulates utilities and plans the electric grid. Homeowners in California may eventually feel indirect effects through utility rates or grid reliability, but no new consumer program or deadline came out of this round of bills.