This Year's SB 222 Proposes Low-Income Water Bill Assistance Program for California Residents Facing High Cost of Living

This year, voters will have the opportunity to vote yes or no on SB 222. The bill would “establish a state Water Rate Assistance Program to provide water affordability assistance for both drinking and wastewater services o low-income ratepayers experiencing economic hardships.” This program would be similar to the low-income assistance program already in place for energy utility customers. [i]

Many, such as the California Water Service vice president, Shannon Dean, believe such a program for water customers is long overdue. The Vice President states that many programs similar to SB 222 have been successfully implemented to “provide vital assistance to the struggling to pay their water bills. [i]

Dean details how Cal Water became one of the pioneer water suppliers to establish a Customer Assistance Program providing enrolled customers a discount when facing financial hardships. In 2021 she reports that 45% of Cal Water’s residential customers in the Bakersfield service area were enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program. This is just one example Dean states justifies the need for a low-income assistance program. [i]

Dean also notes that more than 50 percent of Californians are serviced by a provider who does not offer rate assistance to low-income customers. As a result, many are forced to make a trade-off, choosing between options that can be “harmful to their health in the long run.” [i]

The vice president urges all voters to vote “Yes” on SB 222 Water Rate Assistance because “everyone should have access to water that is safe, reliable and affordable. SB 222 is a much-needed bill that will give people the financial assistance they need.” [i]

According to California Senator Bill Dodd, “A State Resources Control Board survey found water debt in California climbed to about $1 billion. No one should be denied access regardless of their income level or economic status.” [ii]

References

[i] Shannon Dean, Community Voices: Establishing a statewide low-income assistance program for water bills makes sense. Yes on SB 222, (Aug. 12, 2022)

[ii] Senator Bill Dodd, District Report – August 2021, (2021)

A man says he's justified after recently throwing trash through a mom's SUV window
Neighbors share similar experiences Residents living near Manchester Grammar School have had enough commuters parking inconsiderately and trashing their streets. People living close to the school claim to have been plagued for years by drivers blocking driveways, dumping cars on street corners, and being verbally abusive. [i] Despite installing bollards outside the school in 2018, […]
April 11, 2023
Unlock Your Brain's Full Potential:
The Surprising Cognitive Benefits of Learning Multiple New Tasks in Older Adults "Older adults may achieve the same cognition as undergrads," according to researchers at UC Riverside. Their newly published study, One-year cognitive outcomes from a multiple real-world skill learning intervention with older adults, indicates that learning multiple new tasks can have long-lasting cognitive benefits […]
April 20, 2023
In Ukraine Russian Kyiv Conflict, Airstrike Was Meant to Humiliate Western Leaders
In Ukraine Russian Kyiv Conflict, Airstrike Was Meant to Humiliate Western Leaders Before Group of Seven Summit A recent Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv destroyed at least two residential buildings and a preschool backyard. The attack reportedly killed one and wounded six. Russia also allegedly attacked Ukraine from 932 miles away with 14 […]
June 27, 2022
June 26, 1948: Berlin Airlift
Soviet Union Blockade Similar to Russia Blocking Ukraine's Access to the Black Sea On June 25, 1948, Berlin became isolated by a blockade by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union wanted to consolidate control of Berlin. Their tactic? Cutting off all land and sea routes to access West Berlin to pressure the Allies occupying Berlin […]
June 27, 2022
Recent intercepted emotional call reveals broken Russian morale- Russian weapon stock w/rotting weapons quickly depletes
As the Ukrainian-Russian conflict continues, evidence of a depleting weapon stock, rotting weapons, and broken Russian morale have recently been revealed. As seen in the video below, defense expert Larisa Brown reportedly advised that, Russian forces were struggling to replenish their artillery stock, unlike Ukraine which has been continuously receiving large shipments of weapons from […]
August 13, 2022

This Year’s SB 222 Proposes Low-Income Water Bill Assistance Program for California Residents Facing High Cost of Living

References

A man says he's justified after recently throwing trash through a mom's SUV window

Unlock Your Brain's Full Potential:

In Ukraine Russian Kyiv Conflict, Airstrike Was Meant to Humiliate Western Leaders

June 26, 1948: Berlin Airlift

Recent intercepted emotional call reveals broken Russian morale- Russian weapon stock w/rotting weapons quickly depletes

Submit a Comment Cancel reply