FED UP WITH HIGH ENERGY BILLS? COMPLAIN.
To be honest, San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposal to boost rates next year through 2027 looks outrageous when everyone in the region got exorbitant natural gas bills this year — and 1 in 4 customers are behind on payments. The proposal would increase the electric bill of a typical residential customer using 400 kilowatt-hours a month $8.45 per month, up 5.3 percent from 2023. And it would increase natural gas rates for residential customers who use 24 therms a month $9.16 a month, or 17.5 percent.
To be fair, SDG&E is listing major investments in the rate case it must make to the California Public Utilities Commission, a group of five gubernatorial appointees who regulate privately owned electric and natural gas companies. A decision is expected next year. The investments include programs to reduce wildfire risk, decarbonization efforts such as installing utility-scale battery storage projects and electric vehicle charging infrastructure that align with state and local climate action plans, improvements to electricity transmission and distribution that include pipeline replacements, and bolstering cybersecurity and upgrading the ability to protect customer data. California’s climate goals are ambitious and costly, and wildfire safety is critical.
Sixty-five customers spoke out over three hours at a virtual meeting hosted by the CPUC on Monday. All but seven opposed the proposed rate increase.
The regulators have more meetings planned this month — though far too few and much too inconveniently — as they decide whether to accept, reject or alter SDG&E’s requested increases. To longtime observers, it may feel like speaking out at them is an exercise in futility. It may feel like the CPUC will do what it so often does and OK another utility rate hike. It may also scale it back, which is more likely to happen if the CPUC and SDG&E hear from you. If you’re fed up, it’s time to say so. If you’re not, it’s not.
Consider what you spent on energy as a surge in its commodity price doubled SDG&E bills for natural gas to hundreds of dollars. Reflect on the January data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that show San Diego’s average electricity price is higher than any other metropolitan area. Sit with the fact that last week Sempra, SDG&E’s parent company, reported adjusted earnings of nearly $3 billion and $915 million of profits for SDG&E in 2022. Assess its investments. Do you want to speak up?
Here are the dates and times for the next CPUC public forums on SDG&E’s proposed rate increase.
Virtual meeting March 15, 1 p.m.
Webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc Phone number: 800-857-1917
Passcode: 1767567#
In-person meetings March 23
First session starts at 2 p.m.
Second session starts at 6 p.m. Sherman Heights Community Center Multipurpose Room on second floor
2258 Island Ave., San Diego