Clean Power Alliance Considering Rate Increases

MALIBU, CA — The Clean Power Alliance, which provides renewable energy to the city of Malibu and many of its neighbors, is conducting a survey about potential rate increases.

Due to reduced supply and market unrest, CPA costs are expected to increase dramatically over the next budget year, the organization’s board said, and the board is considering various ways to continue maintaining financial stability. At an April meeting, the board cut over $15 million from the 2021-22 energy budget by purchasing zero-emissions hydroelectricity to replace more expensive renewable sources.

“We want you to know that we deferred a rate change by several months because realize this is shard time for the communities and customers that we serve,” the CPA said in a statement.

The CPA does not state anywhere, including in the survey, what exactly the rate increases will be. Instead, the survey asks questions about situations customers feel would result in rate increases (i.e. cost of energy, cost to maintain a reliable energy program, offering incentives or relief to low income customers, etc.), familiarity with various CPA programs, preferred methods of communication, the importance of renewable energy, and more.

Survey results will be released to the CPA Directors before the adoption in June of next year’s fiscal budget.

The CPA provides a number of programs to help people pay bills, including the California Alternate Rate for Energy Program (CARE), the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program, (FERA), which provide monthly discounts on utility bills. The CPA Power Share program provides 20 percent discounts to eligible residents, while the state Arrearage Management Program helps customers pay past due bills. Learn more about cost-saving initiatives here.