Electricity Affordability and the 2026 CA Gubernatorial Election

Webinar | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Thursday, May 7, 2026 California residential electricity rates increased significantly over the past decade. Average residential rates for the three large investor-owned utilities (IOUs) increased approximately 8 to 10% annually, far outpacing the annual rate of inflation of roughly 3.5% over the same time period. The rising cost of electricity poses a barrier to electrifying buildings and transportation, both key elements of California’s strategy to reduce emissions contributing to climate change and poor air quality. Threats to State authority further complicate the challenge of electricity affordability. For these reasons—and more—electricity affordability has become an important issue in the 2026 gubernatorial election. This webinar explored the issues contributing to electricity affordability in California, possible solutions to addressing the issue, and what California’s next governor can do to address this exceptionally complex and important issue. Our discussion was led by EPA Region 9 Administrator and former California Public Utilities Commissioner, Martha Guzman Aceves, and CLEE Research Fellow, Travis Ritchie, in a conversation moderated by Sharon Jacobs, Professor at Berkeley Law.