California regulators created a loophole that’s allowing SoCalGas to pay wildfire victims to hook back up to gas—using ratepayer money. (Inside Climate News)
The details: While the state nominally banned gas incentives for new construction, the CPUC classified wildfire rebuilds as “retrofits,” allowing the utility to offer thousands of dollars in rebates for new gas water heaters and fireplaces to replace destroyed ones.
The conflict: This puts the utility directly at odds with residents in fire-ravaged neighborhoods who want to rebuild all-electric for safety. Critics argue SoCalGas is effectively using ratepayer funds to bribe victims into staying tethered to fossil fuels.
The delay: While regulators just released a proposal to eventually phase out these incentives, the timeline stretches over the next decade, meaning the current rules remain in place for the 18K buildings destroyed in January.