[semiquaver]

This _is_ done by government -- the scheme is being implemented to comply with AB 205.

The article uses confusing and misleading terminology. The _rate_ charged for electricity is in no way based on income; this is about the "residential fixed charge", the bill component you pay regardless of usage. This fixed charge was introduced to counteract a freeloader phenomenon from people who benefited from electric infrastructure but paid next to nothing because of solar rebates.

[twoodfin]

I will now use my annual quota of one HN joke:

S: We simply unleash wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.

L: But aren't the snakes even worse?

S: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.

L: Then we're stuck with gorillas!

S: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

(This joke is about net metering.)

[midhhhthrow]

Yes. Switching from usage charge to more fixed charges will increase bills for low usage users and decrease bills for higher usage users. Not exactly a green solution