Backers of an initiative to create a publicly owned utility to provide electric service to much of the state, replacing privately owned utilities such as Southern California Edison, have until Sept. 10 to submit enough valid signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.
The California Electrical Utility District Act would allow publicly owned utilities, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to have the option of joining the statewide utility or remain independent.
Initiative proponent Ben Davis said passage of the measure would lower the cost of electricity to all consumers in the state, encourage new business development, create jobs, enlarge the tax base and improve the economy.
The measure would create an 11-member elected Board of Directors to operate the utility.
The initiative would result in a substantial net change in state and local finances, according to an estimate prepared by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance.
Valid signatures from 365,880 registered voters — 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November general election — must be submitted to qualify the measure for the November 2016 ballot, according to Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who on Monday gave backers permission to begin gathering signatures.
Davis unsuccessfully sought to qualify a similar measure for the ballot in 2013.
The lower turnout in the November election will make it easier for the measure to qualify. In 2013, valid signatures from 504,760 registered voters — 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2010 general election — were needed to qualify the measure for the November 2014 ballot.
—City News Service