Resolution 2026-XXX
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING STATE
LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE UTILITY AFFORDABILITY,
STRENGTHEN RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS, AND
INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY OF INVESTOR -OWNED
UTILITIES DURING THE 2025 –2026 CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHEREAS, Southern California Edison ("SCE") is the primary electric utility serving the City of Santa Ana and provides electric servi ce to hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, over the past decade, electric utility rates charged by Southern California Edison have increased substantially, placing an increasing financial burden on Santa Ana residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and public agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that Santa Ana is a predominantly working-class community with many households already facing rising housing, food, transportation, and healthcare costs, making utility affordability an issue of significant public concern; and
WHEREAS, the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") continues to consider numerous applications that may further increase electric utility rates for Southern California Edison customers, while many households remain behind on utility payments and rely upon rate assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that affordable, reliable, safe, and transparent utility service is essential to prot ecting the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Santa Ana; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature is currently considering legislation intended to improve utility affordability, strengthen oversight of investor -owned utilities, increase transparency in utility rate -setting, encourage prudent infrastructure investment, modernize California's electric grid, and provide greater protection for residential and small business ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that these legislat ive reforms would promote greater accountability of investor -owned utilities while helping ensure that future utility investments are reasonable, transparent, and in the public interest.
Resolution 2026-XXX
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby expresses its support for the following bills:
• AB 1761 (Rogers)
• AB 2463 (Petrie-Norris)
• AB 2493 (Petrie-Norris)
• AB 2516 (Petrie-Norris)
• SB 868 (Wiener)
• SB 886 (Padilla and McNerney)
• SB 905 (Becker)
• SB 943 (Becker)
• SB 1098 (Pérez)
• SB 1138 (Padilla)
• SB 1359 (Stern)
All Referenced bills are currently pending before the California Legislature during the 2025–2026 Regular Session. The City Council finds that these measures collectively advance the goals of improving utility affordability, increasing transparency in utility rate- setting, strengthening oversight and accountability of investor -owned utilities, promoting prudent infrastructure investment, modernizing California's electric grid, and protecting residential and small business ratepayers from unnecessary utility costs.
Section 2. The City supports SB 1359 (Stern) because it promotes fiscal accountability and protects ratepayers from unnecessary utility costs. This position is consistent with the City's previous position opposing policies that impose disproportionate financial burdens on residents and businesses. The City's support should not be construed as reversing its concerns regarding affordability, local government engagement, or appliance replacement mandates as expressed in its June 2025 letter opposing South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.
Section 3. The City Council urges the Governor of California, the California State Legislature, and the California Public Utilities Commission to continue pur suing policies and regulatory reforms that protect residential and small business ratepayers from unreasonable utility costs, improve transparency and accountability in utility rate - setting, ensure prudent investment of ratepayer funds, encourage affordable and reliable electric service, and promote the long -term modernization, safety, and reliability of California's electric system.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
Resolution 2026-XXX
ADOPTED this ____ day of August, 2026.
__________________________
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
SONIA R. CARVALHO
City Attorney
By: ____________________________
Laura A. Rossini
Chief Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
ABSENT: Councilmembers
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL , City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify that the attached Resolution No. 2026-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on August____, 2026.
Date: _____________________
Jennifer L. Hall
City Clerk, Elections Official
City of Santa Ana