This year, California Democrats are strengthening accountability for corporate investor-owned utility companies and advancing affordability for families’ electricity bills. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin delivered more savings to ratepayers, and Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris is bringing about more transparency. These new solutions build on California’s landmark work to change the course on energy affordability and deliver cheaper, more reliable power.
SACRAMENTO — This week, Assembly Democrats voted to pass two new bills that will put money back in Californians’ pockets:
- AB 2589, by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, which makes sure that, when there are savings for investor-owned utilities due to Trump’s corporate tax breaks, those dollars are passed along to workers, business owners, families and ratepayers.
- AB 2463, by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, which brings greater transparency and accountability to how utility profits are determined so ratepayers can better see how electricity and gas rates are set.
These two important solutions make sure that any profits that massive utility companies save as a result of Trump and Republicans’ corporate tax cuts are refunded to electricity customers.
The two bills are now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature.
Building on Energy Affordability
Bigger rebates on electricity bills, less pollution, more reliable power, new jobs, billions of dollars in energy savings for California — this legislative session, Assembly Democrats have continued to focus on affordable and sustainable energy solutions.
In 2025, the Assembly enacted one of the most comprehensive legislative efforts in the country to make energy more affordable and reliable for Californians. This historic accomplishment delivers:
- Lower electricity bills: Returning $3 billion in Climate Credits every year to Californians on their utility bills, with higher rebates annually.
- A bipartisan partnership with states across the West on cleaner, cheaper, more dependable energy: Integrating California’s grid with Western states will save Californians upward of $1 billion every year on energy costs.
- Create new jobs: These solutions are estimated to create 287,000 jobs through 2045. Cap and Invest has already created 122,000 jobs , plus nearly 14,000 affordable housing projects, and over $9 billion to benefit neighborhoods hit hardest by pollution.
- Significant investments in affordable housing, cleaner buses, safer drinking water, wildfire prevention and healthier air.
- Protect vulnerable communities: The legislation strengthens environmental protections and ensures regulators can act quickly to crack down on polluters and protect public health. It also dedicates Cap and Invest proceeds to support climate change adaptation and the resilience of disadvantaged communities.
- Stabilize gasoline prices and supply: These proposals secure the safe and affordable supply of transportation fuels to better shield families from sudden increases at the pump.
And now, in 2026, Assembly Democrats are building on this work to stabilize utility costs, connect new projects to power and keep clean energy flowing in all corners of the state:
- Protects Californians from being stuck with higher electricity costs driven by large energy users like data centers. (AB 2383, Assemblymember Rick Chavez-Zbur)
- Speeds up the process to connect new clean energy projects to the grid, helping California bring more affordable power online faster. (AB 2493, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris)
- Helps connect affordable housing, health facilities and other community projects to power faster. (AB 2518, Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins)
- Helps homeowners make a cost effective switch from gas to clean electric energy when gas service lines need replacement. (AB 2313, Assemblymember Marc Berman)