HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-038 - Improvements on Utility Affordability RESOLUTION NO. 2026-038
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING STATE
LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE UTILITY AFFORDABILITY,
STRENGTHEN RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS, AND
INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY OF INVESTOR-OWNED
UTILITIES DURING THE 2025--2026 CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHEREAS, Southern California Edison ("SCE") is the primary electric utility serving
the City of Santa Ana and provides electric service to hundreds of thousands of residents
and businesses throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, over the past decade, electric utility rates charged by Southern California
Edison have increased substantially, placing an increasing financial burden on Santa Ana
residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and public agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that Santa Ana is a predominantly working-
class community with many households already facing rising housing, food, transportation,
and healthcare costs, making utility affordability an issue of significant public concern; and
WHEREAS, the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") continues to consider
numerous applications that may further increase electric utility rates for Southern California
Edison customers, while many households remain behind on utility payments and rely upon
rate assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that affordable, reliable, safe, and transparent utility
service is essential to protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of
Santa Ana; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature is currently considering legislation intended to
improve utility affordability, strengthen oversight of investor-owned utilities, increase
transparency in utility rate-setting, encourage prudent infrastructure investment, modernize
California's electric grid, and provide greater protection for residential and small business
ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that these legislative reforms would promote
greater accountability of investor-owned utilities while helping ensure that future utility
investments are reasonable, transparent, and in the public interest.
Resolution No. 2026-038
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby expresses its
support for the following bills:
• AB 1761 (Rogers)
• AB 2463 (Petrie-Norris)
• AB 2493 (Petrie-Norris)
• AB 2516 (Petrie-Norris)
• SB 868 (Wiener)
• SB 886 (Padilla and McNerney)
• SB 905 (Becker)
• SB 943 (Becker)
• SB 1098 (Perez)
• SB 1138 (Padilla)
• SB 1359 (Stern)
All Referenced bills are currently pending before the California Legislature during the
2025-2026 Regular Session. The City Council finds that these measures collectively
advance the goals of improving utility affordability, increasing transparency in utility rate-
setting, strengthening oversight and accountability of investor-owned utilities, promoting
prudent infrastructure investment, modernizing California's electric grid, and protecting
residential and small business ratepayers from unnecessary utility costs.
Section 2. The City supports SB 1359 (Stern) because it promotes fiscal
accountability and protects ratepayers from unnecessary utility costs. This position is
consistent with the City's previous position opposing policies that impose disproportionate
financial burdens on residents and businesses. The City's support should not be
construed as reversing its concerns regarding affordability, local government
engagement, or appliance replacement mandates as expressed in its June 2025 letter
opposing South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.
Section 3. The City Council urges the Governor of California, the California
State Legislature, and the California Public Utilities Commission to continue pursuing
policies and regulatory reforms that protect residential and small business ratepayers
from unreasonable utility costs, improve transparency and accountability in utility rate-
setting, ensure prudent investment of ratepayer funds, encourage affordable and reliable
electric service, and promote the long-term modernization, safety, and reliability of
California's electric system.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
Resolution No. 2026-038
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ADOPTED this 4th day of August, 2026.
Brie A ezc
Ma or
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By;
Laura A. Rossini
Chief Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers Amezcua, Bacerra, Hernandez, Penaloza
Phi Vazquez (6)
NOES: Councilmembers None (0)
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers None (0)
ABSENT: Councilmembers Lopez (1)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution
No. 2026-038 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana on August 4, 2026. `
Date:
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City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2026-038
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