Last Thursday, the California legislature passed budget trailer bills AB 135 and AB 148.

Last Thursday, the California legislature passed budget trailer bills AB 135 and AB 148.
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Friends,

When we started the Erase Utility Debt campaign, we did not realize our campaign would become a statewide campaign or that there would be $2 billion in the state budget for utility debt relief.

We are so excited to share that last Thursday, the California legislature passed budget trailer bills AB 135 and AB 148. These bills direct the Department of Community Services and Development and the State Water Resources Control Board on how to allocate the $2 billion we won for utility debt relief statewide.

RePower LA and our partner organizations advocated tirelessly for $1 billion from state American Rescue Plan funds for energy debt relief for Californians. Through our advocacy, the final trailer bill language resulted in a program that is more equitable than previous proposals. We are very proud that AB 135 specifies that funds will be disbursed directly to customer accounts as bill credits without an application or self-attestation, that residential customers at risk of disconnection will be prioritized, and that roughly 30% of funds will be earmarked for publicly-owned utilities.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the grassroots organizers and community members who rallied in support of debt relief. We are incredibly proud to be part of a movement for energy equity and affordability alongside Strategic Concepts for Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE), Greenling Institute, Pacoima Beautiful, Communities for a Better Environment, Physicians for Social Responsibility-LA, California Environmental Justice Alliance, and NRDC.

To address water debt and prevent shutoffs, LAANE’s Water Project team and our allies fought to secure an additional $1 billion in relief and equitable implementation language. As with energy relief, AB 148 ensures households in need will receive relief by cutting out hurdles like applications or self-attestation forms. It also provides for additional outreach to ensure customers of small water systems are not left behind, and limits administrative costs.

We are grateful to do this work alongside water allies across the state fighting for safe and accessible water for all, including Clean Water Action, Community Water Center, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, NextGen, NRDC, OurWaterLA, and the Water Foundation.

We are looking forward to continuing the momentum and making sure that all Angelenos have access to affordable utility services.
In Solidarity,

Agustin Cabrera, Director, RePower LA
Lauren Ahkiam, Director, LAANE Water Project
LAANE is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to building a new economy for all. Combining dynamic research, innovative public policy and the organizing of broad alliances, LAANE promotes a new economic approach based on good jobs, thriving communities, and a healthy environment.
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