SACRAMENTO – The Environmental Working Group has launched a new independent utility reform project, Re-Volt, to take on California’s monopoly utilities, their stranglehold on California’s political leaders and the energy regulators they appoint.
The state’s long-broken system has led to skyrocketing electricity bills, energy insecurity and a failure to protect public health and the environment. It’s the result of policies that put utility profits ahead of working families and communities.
To challenge California’s big three power companies and the politicians in their pocket, Re-Volt will inform and mobilize everyday ratepayers, from homeowners and renters to small businesses and local advocacy groups. The campaign is demanding energy choice, energy freedom and an effective government that puts people – not power companies – first.
“For decades, California’s monopoly utilities and the politicians they control have rigged the rules to enrich Wall Street investors and C-suite executives, while most residents are left powerless, figuratively and sometimes literally,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG’s senior vice president for California.
“Re-Volt exists to shift that balance – informing and empowering everyday ratepayers to push for the reforms needed to bring energy choice and energy sanity to everyone,” she added.
Escalating electricity bills
Over the past decade, California’s investor-owned utilities have more than doubled electricity rates.
In 2024 alone, the California Public Utilities Commission approved six rate hikes for Pacific Gas & Electric which went on to pocket $2.4 billion in profit.
That same year, PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric collectively raked in $5.72 billion, following $7.18 billion in 2023 profits.
Meanwhile, utility executives took home staggering paychecks. In 2024, PG&E CEO Patti Poppe earned $15.8 million, SCE CEO Pedro Pizarro made $13.8 million and Sempra CEO Jeffrey Martin hauled in $21.5 million. Sempra is the parent company of SDG&E.
“While we don’t begrudge companies earning a profit, California’s electricity system is clearly out of whack,” said Del Chiaro.
“Monopoly utilities have grown so big and so powerful that they have captured their regulators and the politicians who appoint them to the detriment of consumer access to clean, affordable and reliable energy,” she said.
The cited cost increases were approved by the commission, whose five members were handpicked by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
‘Follow the money’
Since 2000, utilities have poured more than $200 million in political contributions into Sacramento, ensuring that lawmakers and regulators side with corporate interests over the needs of millions of Californians.
While other states have banned the use of ratepayer money for political lobbying, California has refused, buckling to intense utility pressure and political complacency. Legislation introduced in 2024 to broaden restrictions on utilities’ spending on advertising and political influence died in a Senate legislative committee.
“My father always said ‘Follow the money’ if you want to uncover corruption, especially when it comes to a widespread failure to govern,” said Del Chiaro.
In the coming weeks and months, Re-Volt will spotlight leading voices for reform, including former commission President Loretta Lynch, EWG President Ken Cook, Energy and Policy Institute Executive Director David Pomerantz, Local Clean Energy Alliance Executive Director Jessica Tovar and Reclaim Our Power organizer Travis Gibrael, among others.
Re-Volt’s mission is clear: Expose corruption, reveal the truth and advocate for policies that provide true energy freedom and access to clean, affordable and reliable energy for all Californians.
Learn more at www.re-volt.org and follow the campaign on Instagram, BlueSky, X/Twitter and YouTube.
###
Re-Volt is an initiative led by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in collaboration with a statewide network of partners committed to advancing energy equity, ending utility corruption and putting power – literally and politically – back in the hands of the people.
EWG is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
