Sacramento, California – Agricultural Energy Consumers Association (AECA) Executive Director, Michael Boccadoro, recently testified before the California Assembly Committee on Utilities & Energy expressing concern and frustration over skyrocketing energy rates in California. (Watch Boccadoro’s Testimony below, full hearing Here).

Boccadoro highlighted California’s highest in the nation energy rates that are not only two to three times the national average but are rising faster than inflation and are likely driving inflation in California. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is proposing a staggering 36 percent increase to 2023 rates with additional increases proposed annually for the next three years.

“Even though PG&E’s rates are high and going higher, they are failing miserably to deliver electricity to the San Joaquin Valley where we are being expected to electrify our forklifts, our tractors, and our equipment,” Boccadoro testified.

Boccadoro went on to suggest that PG&E is rapidly becoming one of the biggest barriers to achieving the California’s ambitious climate policies. Rather than increasing costs for energy users, driven in part by a guaranteed 12% rate of return for utility shareholders, investments could be funded at a lower cost using bonds, existing state funds, or other state-backed mechanisms.

The Agricultural Energy Consumers Association (AECA) represents the interests of more than 40,000 agricultural operations from Redding to San Diego. AECA members include the state’s leading agricultural associations, water agencies, farmers, ranchers, producers and food processors. AECA members share a common concern of ensuring affordable and reliable energy sources throughout California.

Learn more at agenergyca.org or follow @AgEnergyCA on Twitter.

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