The state of California plans to implement a new program to help low-income residents who can’t afford their water bills, and has asked the state’s water districts to provide comments on how the program should be administered and how financial assistance should be provided to low-income residents. The Hi-Desert Water District board of directors discussed the issue last night, and the directors agreed that they were opposed to giving discounts to low-income residents based on tiered rates, as they felt it rewarded those who used more water over those who conserved water.
To fund the program, directors were not in favor of a surcharge on water bills nor did they approve of a tax on bottled water. Garnering slightly more support was an income tax levied on those earning more than $1 million. And finally, directors felt it should be the state’s responsibility to administer the program and disburse the rebate.
In other business, the board heard a presentation from Jennifer Cusack of Southern California Edison about a change in the time-of-use rates. Beginning March 1, SCE plans to change the peak and off-peak hours of electrical usage, because the electrical company is getting more of its energy from solar power. Peak hours for electricity will vary depending on the season (summer or winter) and weekdays versus weekends.
