State’s New Measure Is an Avenue to Energy Equity for ALL

By Rev. Gerald Johnson SUPERINTENDENT AND PASTOR OF GREATER HARVEST CHURCH

Over the past several weeks, some have voiced strong opposition to a reform proposal that would fundamentally change how Californians are charged for electricity. The contentious element within the reform proposal is that household income will now be considered in determining a portion of a customer’s electricity bill.

Mind you, the concept of an income-based sliding scale for vital services is not new. In fact, it is widely used in a variety of areas including healthcare, childcare and school tuition where society recognizes a need, a moral obligation, to help the most vulnerable residents.

As somebody who has spent a lifetime advocating for Black and Brown communities at the margins of society, those who are often at the bottom of the economic ladder, I recognize this reform for what it is: It’s a progressive attempt to fix a very regressive billing structure.

Here is what is at stake:

Today’s electric bills have two key components: the cost for generating each kilowatt hour of electricity and the cost to get that kilowatt to your home through poles and wires.

A new state law (AB 205), adopted last year, directs the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to change how regulated utilities across California charge their customers for electric delivery service, and requires that a fixed charge be established on an income-graduated basis. It was in response to this law that San Diego Gas & Electric submitted a fixed price reform proposal to the CPUC in April.

Under an income-based approach, the less you earn, the less you pay in a fixed charge for the delivery portion of your electric bill. The fixed charge pays for the operation and maintenance of the electric grid and will stay the same monthto-month, regardless of what you use in terms of kilowatt hours.

In San Diego, it would look like this:

• Households earning less than $ 28,000 a year would pay a f ixed charge of $24 per month

• Households with annual income between $28,000 to $69,000 would pay $34 per month

• Households earning between $69,000 and $180,000 would pay $73 per month, and

Those with incomes above $180,000 would pay $128.

SDG&E’s proposal would provide estimated savings of up to $300 per year for the average lowest income customer while making monthly bills more predictable for all customers.

This proposal is designed to immediately lower electricity bills for lowto moderate-income households and make a clean energy future more affordable for everyone. This rate reduction makes it cheaper for customers to make the switch to electric vehicles and electric home appliances like heat pumps. These technologies can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help meet the state’s ambitious climate goals. Working families expect and deserve greater predictability and lower monthly costs.

Let’s take a look at the residents within some of San Diego’s most diverse portions of the city. Keep in mind, there are undisputed racial disparities with climate change. The lack of climate action disproportionally affects those who suffer from socioeconomic inequalities, especially across the color spectrum in our community.

According to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the median household income for San Diego Council District 4 (South of I-8 and east of the I-805) in 2020 was $56,857. The neighborhoods just to the west, in District 9, had a median household income of $43,182. For perspective, the median household income for San Diego County as a whole is $88,240.

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Barbara Mozell

DePass Smith

SUNRISE 06/06/1939

SUNSET 05/16/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Barbara was born on June 6, 1939 to Lillia and Clifford DePass. She was a native of Bronx, NY and a proud descendant of Jamaican heritage. Barbara lived in San Diego, CA for the past fifty years, where she worked as a secretary, accomplished her Master’s Degree, and went on to become a teacher for over a decade.

She was a champion for students and the underprivileged, and she was the first black female school board member of the South Bay Union School Board District.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life, Vance G. Smith, and her eldest brother, Kenneth Griffeth. Barbara entered into eternal rest on May 16, 2023.

She is survived by her two younger brothers: Clifford DePass and Reginald DePass, daughters: Lillia Smith-Pratt and Elise Rodriguez, sons-in-law: Carlton Pratt and Martin Rodriguez, six granddaughters: Brittany Cote, Ashley Rodriguez, Lisa Silva, Julia Rodriguez, Christine Rodriguez, and Jazmin Pratt, two great-granddaughters: Lily Ewing and Eleanor Cote, and a host of nieces and nephews.

On May 22, 2023, we laid to rest our beloved mother, sister, and Nana.

Sherrell

SUNRISE 09/22/1947

SUNSET 05/23/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Mozell Sherrell was born on September 22, 1947 to Elnora and John Sherrell in Evansville, Illinois. Mozell was affectionately known as “PeeWee”. PeeWee received his formal education in Evansville, Illinois. Mozell relocated to San Diego in 1979, where he worked with the food service industry.

Some of his hobbies included working in his garden, fishing, cooking, and playing Dominoes. He was a very caring, sharing, and loving person. He enjoyed meeting and conversing with everyone he met. He enjoyed life to its fullest, a man of very little words, but you understood what he meant.

Later in life, PeeWee accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. Mozell was called to be with his Lord and Savior on May 23, 2023.

PeeWee was preceded in death by his parents, daughters: Aretha “Chelle” Sherrell, Jessica Pettigrew, Lenora Pettigrew, and son De’Andre Pettigrew. He is survived by his wife Lillie Mae, brother John Sherrell (JohnnieMae) of Amarillo, Texas, daughters: Natasha Sherrell of Seattle, Washington; Cynthia Bronson (Stephen) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, sons: John (Vickie) Sherrell of Wyatt, Missouri; Mozell II (Amanda) Sherrell of Charleston, Missouri; Tony Sherrell (Lisa) of Sikeston, Missouri; Tremaine Sherrell of San Diego, CA; James Pettigrew of Lake Elsinore, CA, brother-in-laws: Larry Beverly (Lisa) and Jesse Williams of Detroit, Michigan, god-son Vincent Washington of San Diego, CA, and a host of dchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Memories Build a Special Bridge

Our memories build a special bridge when loved ones have to part to help us feel we’re with them still and sooth a grieving heart. Our memories span the years we shared, preserving ties that bind, They build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind.

Emily Matthews