California legislators push energy bills as electricity costs remain among nation's highest

California lawmakers are pushing a package of energy bills aimed at lowering electricity costs and making clean energy more accessible as residents continue to face some of the highest utility rates in the country.

California has the second-highest electricity rates in the nation, according to the state Legislative Analyst's Office. Electricity also has become one of the fastest-growing household expenses in the state, according to UC Berkeley experts.

Democratic lawmakers promoted several energy proposals Monday, urging their passage before next week's legislative deadline on Aug. 31.

One of those measures, Senate Bill 913 by Sen. Josh Becker, would allow customer-owned clean energy resources, including home batteries and smart thermostats, to compete with traditional power sources to help improve reliability on the state's electrical grid.

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