[cagey]

CA state elected lawmakers clearly wanted the utility companies to be the face of this policy which they created. As can be seen in this thread, a significant portion of those reading about this have a standing grudge against PG&E et. al.; it's not like their public image can get any lower, and by absorbing whatever public ire arises during the socialization and rollout of this policy, they provide some degree of cover/insulation between the public and the same CA state elected lawmakers who actually imposed the policy, and who just happen to regulate them.

CA voters asked for this kind of class warfare cast into the ever more intrusive laws that rule their everyday lives in ever increasing detail. The only problem is that unfortunately, even if you leave CA, wherever CA leads, most states eventually follow, because of both the "CA voter diaspora" phenomenon and CA shifting the Overton Window in directions that other state bureaucracies can only wait and dream of.

And I've not even commented on the practical "implementation details" you've raised related to the amount of personal information being disclosed to a debatably trustworthy/secure intermediary, and the definitional ambiguity between a "household" and the tax-filing entities that comprise it. I agree with all the points/objections you've raised and could probably think of quite a few more, but it's all moot: this policy is already the law of the land.

[mistrial9]

> but it's all moot: this policy is already the law of the land.

no, I believe that is not accurate (see sibling comments) What is true is that some changes will take place, but what they are is not yet done. contact your representatives; cite this Bill