In 1996, the California State Assembly signed AB 1890 and in 1998, the bill became law. The primary objective of AB 1890 was to deregulate the energy industry and create competitive markets. However, the legislation also required all utilities, publicly-owned and investor-owned, to establish programs that met certain "public benefits."

The public benefit programs are required to be in at least one of four categories:

1. Services provided for low-income customers, including rate discounts.

2. Demand-side management services to promote energy efficiency and conservation (e.g. residential and commercial rebates for efficiency retrofits).

3. New investment in renewable energy resources.

4. Research, development and demonstration programs to advance science and technology.

Every year, PWP submits a Public Benefits report to the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) that summarizes expenditures by program for the most recent fiscal year as well as cumulative spending by program since 1997. Please click the following link to the SCPPA website to review the most recent Public Benefits report.

FY 2004/05 PWP Public Benefits Report*

* Portable Document Format (PDF)
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