CALIFORNIA (FOX26) — An executive order aimed at lowering electricity costs for Californians was signed Wednesday by Governor Newsom.

The governor’s office says this will encourage electricity bill relief while maintaining the state’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and 100% clean electricity by 2045.

This comes as millions of Californians recently received a $71 credit on their October electricity bills thanks to the California Climate Credit.

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Officials say a major factor in rising electric bills has been critical wildfire mitigation efforts by utilities.

The state says these efforts have been accelerated to keep pace with the climate crisis and several programs have been added over the years.

The governor’s office says the executive order will do the following.

• Encourages relief from electricity bills. The executive order directs the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to identify underperforming programs and return all unused energy program funds to customers receiving electric and gas service from private utilities in the form of one or more credits on their bills.
• Maximizes California’s climate credit. The executive order directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work with the CPUC to determine ways to maximize the California Climate Credit, a semi-annual credit that appears on many Californians’ electric and gas bills in the spring and summer. autumn. and is funded by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program.
• Manages and reduces long-term electrical costs. The executive order directs the CPUC to evaluate taxpayer-supported programs and regulatory costs, and make recommendations on additional ways to save consumers money. It also directs the CPUC to pursue any available federal funding to help reduce electricity costs for Californians. Additionally, the executive order directs the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate ratepayer-funded programs and identify any potential changes that could save Californians money on their bills.
• Smarter investments to mitigate wildfires. The executive order directs the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety and directs the CPUC to evaluate utility wildfire safety oversight practices and ensure that utility investments and activities are focused on cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures.