COUNTYWIDE : Farmers’ Electricity Rates Held Down
Farmers in Ventura County will be spared sharp electricity rate increases next year under a measure signed by Gov. Pete Wilson, a statewide consumers’ association spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The measure, signed by Wilson on Saturday, will hold rate increases for farmers by Southern California Edison to 6.7% and hikes by Pacific Gas & Electric in Northern California to 2.7%, said Robin Skarsten, a spokeswoman for the Agricultural Energy Consumers’ Assn.
Both of the companies had proposed higher increases for 1992.
Edison had sought a 10.1% increase and PG&E; requested a 7.7% increase, Skarsten said.
It is estimated that the measure will save California farmers about $25 million over the next year, Skarsten said.
The measure was prompted by increased electricity bills caused by additional water pumping associated with the drought.
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