Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customers might soon see the costs of the state’s climate laws clearly spelled out on their utility bills.
While customers currently don’t see an itemized charge for the increased costs associated with the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), they may notice a credit on their bills that is related to the CCA. This can be misleading, as it makes it appear as though customers are saving money from the state’s climate laws when in fact they are paying more.
A new bill, SB 5826, is being introduced in Washington’s Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee to require charges to be listed as line items on customer utility bills if they come from the CCA.
PSE’s Support for Transparency
PSE is one of the companies required under the CCA to purchase carbon “credits” at state auctions to offset their pollution costs. PSE has acknowledged that it passes this cost onto customers and now supports the new bill, stating that it believes in price transparency. The company wants customers to see both the costs and benefits of the CCA on their bills.