SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) is requesting that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopt regulations to eliminate the abuse of the CARE and Energy Savings Assistance Programs by indoor marijuana growers.

“I have been in contact with the PUC and will be working with them to solve this problem. I am considering introducing legislation if further authority is needed” Chesbro said.

Citing a recent expose by the Eureka Times Standard newspaper on this issue, Chesbro said, “Abusing rate payer dollars to waste massive amounts of energy and create a huge carbon footprint is theft from those who are truly in need and we must put a stop to it.”

The PUC requires California’s four primary power companies to offer a subsidized energy rate program for the state’s poorest families. Eligibility criteria include income not to exceed $31,000 for a household of two.

According to the Times Standard, 35,000 Humboldt County PG&E customers pay a monthly fee to finance the state mandated program.

The PUC is currently working on addressing the problem of abuse, and PG&E has proposed specific CARE program changes in relation to high usage customers.

Chesbro plans to work with the commission to ensure that the program abuses are halted.