San Diego Residents Fight $270-Year Power Bill Hike
San Diego customers protest utility rate hike amid rising costs and regulatory review.
2 min read
San Diego residents gathered in large numbers at back-to-back hearings to oppose a proposed 8.6 percent rate increase by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which would raise combined electric and gas bills by nearly $270 per year for an average customer. Over 100 customers attended the California Public Utilities Commission meetings in Santee, expressing frustration over the proposed hike, which they argue adds an unrelenting financial burden in a state already grappling with high energy costs.
Customers Voice Concern Over Rising Bills
“We pay some of the highest rates in the nation,” said Tyler Andre of SanDiego350, a climate change activist group, at the meeting. He also highlighted the utility’s $862 million profit from January through September, which many customers view as unjustified given the rising costs they face. “Dude, the rates are absolutely ridiculous,” added customer Bob Larson, echoing the sentiment of many attendees.
Industry and Regulatory Response
SDG&E stated it takes customer concerns seriously and emphasized its focus on controlling costs and maintaining reliable service. The utility has requested approximately $3.8 billion for 2028, a $280 million increase from its 2027 estimate. The funds would be used for wildfire mitigation, infrastructure, cybersecurity, insurance, and other operational costs. The commission has not yet made a decision and is expected to conduct further public hearings in December.
📢 Share your thoughts at today’s CPUC Public Participation Hearing regarding SDG&E's General Rate Case application. 📍 Santee City Hall 📅 Nov. 10 | 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. 💻 Remote hearings: 📅 Dec. 9 & 10 | 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. Learn more at https://t.co/cUjmwPWcaj . pic.twitter.com/zPQkKol3Si
Costs and Context of Rising Energy Prices
California households already pay an average of 32.58 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, the second-highest rate in the nation, according to Energy Information Administration data. Wayne Winegarden, a senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, pointed to the state’s “endless mandates” such as renewable portfolio standards as a key driver of rising costs. These regulations, he argued, force the shutdown of viable generators and increase transmission expenses.
Public and Political Concerns
“For households already dealing with broad inflation and California’s extremely high gas prices, SDG&E’s request to add roughly $22.48 more a month feels like an unrelenting financial burden rather than a routine operational adjustment,” said Alex Stevens, manager of policy and communications at the Institute for Energy Research. The utility’s proposed hike has sparked widespread concern, with many customers feeling the financial strain of rising energy costs in a state where affordability is a growing issue.
Source: Daily Caller
