***MEDIA ALERT***
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Join a crucial virtual webinar at 10 a.m. PDT on April 16 to hear how more than 240 California community organizations are teaming up to combat a looming utility tax increase jeopardizing millions of working families and retirees across the state.
The call will feature remarks from leaders and others with groups involved in the Stop the Big Utility Tax coalition, which includes tenants rights groups, environmental justice leaders, farmworkers, consumer advocates, affordable housing proponents, climate advocates, labor, faith leaders and local elected officials.
Together, they are pushing for the passage of A.B. 1999 which, if enacted, would overturn a 2022 law enabling the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, to impose an uncapped monthly fixed charge increase on electricity bills. The CPUC’s proposal is more than double the national average increase. It would disproportionately burden millions of struggling families, including seniors and people with disabilities, living in apartments and small homes.
Background: The tax hike, quietly slipped into A.B. 205, which became law in 2022, was orchestrated by Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric to evade public scrutiny and legislative debate. The CPUC is poised to adopt it this May, further punishing California residents who already pay the highest electric bills in the nation.
When: Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. PDT (via Zoom)
Speakers:
Ken Cook, president, Environmental Working Group (moderator)
Josh Plaisted, principle, Flagstaff Research
Richard Skaff, executive director, Designing Accessible Communities
Jenn Engstrom, state director, CALPIRG
Laura Deehan, state director, Environmental California
Sharrah Thompson, Central Valley regional coordinator, Tenants Together
Natalie Herendeen, Center for Community Advocacy
RSVP: Confirm attendance and receive Zoom details by emailing: [email protected]
For media inquiries or post-event interviews, contact Alex Formuzis at [email protected]
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
