Becerra Power Hour A Loser

Governor-elect Xavier Becerra’s signature campaign promise, the “Power Hour,” looks like a loser, before it even begins.

The proposal, mocked by some, pledged to give working-class California families up to two hours of free, midday electricity every day by tapping into the state’s surplus solar energy. For a family of four earning under $82,500, it promised to slice up to $1,000 a year off crushing utility bills.

But just days after the coronation, er, election, that promise is already hitting a wall of political reality in Sacramento.  State legislative leaders are flashing a major yellow light. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón have both refused to commit to the plan. Lawmakers are demanding to know who will actually foot the bill, how utility companies will absorb the cost, and whether this “free” electricity will just trigger massive rate hikes during the rest of the day. Shockingly, they are doing their job of oversight.

With no legislative backing and deep questions over funding, the cornerstone of Becerra’s platform–really is only policy plank–is looking less like a policy reality and more like a campaign promise bound to fail.