San Diego Democratic Senator Christine Kehoe’s attempt to revive retail electricity choice, SB 855, is countered by a bill seeking to put an end to direct access. An urgency measure by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) introduced July 5 restricts direct access by requiring non-utility power providers to annually report to the California Public Utilities Commission and to submit a list of all their customers and addresses. As of Jan. 1, 2013, direct access would be limited to those customers on the electric service providers’ list. Williams’ bill, ABx1-37, also repeals existing law authorizing the CPUC to facilitate direct access. “Neither bill is going anywhere this year,” said Gary Ackerman, Western Power Trading Forum executive director.
