SDG&E WANTS TO RAISE YOUR RATES OVER NEXT FOUR YEARS: HEARINGS IN MARCH INCLUDE SAN DIEGO LOCATION

Public can also submit comments online, by phone, or by mail

February 23, 2023 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has applied for a general rate increase starting in 2024.  SDG&E wants to grow revenues by $449 million (17.6%) in 2024. This application also includes requested increases of 10.5% in 2025, (9.2% in 2026, and another 7.7% in 2027.

 If approved, the first year increase alone would hike the average monthly electric bill by $9 a month and gas by $9.60 a month, or $18.60/mo. total. Combined, that’s over $220 a year for the average ratepayer – with some homeowners and businesses paying far more. By 2027, the average ratepayers would pay $285.91 more per year than today.

Three hearings are slated on the proposed price hikes, conducted by an administrative law judge for the Calif.Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The first two are virtual on March 6 and 15, the third is in-person in San Diego on March 23 in both afternoon and evening.

Coming on the heels of a doubling of natural gas prices locally in January, on top of utility rates that are already among the highest in the nation, SDG&E’s proposal has sparked outrage. Of 395 public comments received so far on the CPUC website, all voiced anger and 100% are opposed to raising rates.

SDG&E says it wants its customers to help pay for infrastructure projects including putting power lines underground to prevent fires, building more electric vehicle charging stations, and modernizing the electric grid.  SDG&E bases its rate increase proposal on the assumption that energy use will double by 2045.

How to watch hearings and make your voice heard

Virtual meetings

In-person meetings

March 23,  2 p.m.  6 p.m.        Sherman Heights Community Center

                                                    Multi-Purpose Room, 2^nd Floor

                                                    2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102

You can submit comments during the hearing at this link: apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2205016.

You can submit comments anytime before the hearing at this link: , but also at this comment link:

https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:65:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2205016

Be sure to reference SDG&E rates application A2205016.

You can also call 1 (866)849-8390 to submit comments via phone or mail comments to CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.\

If you have questions about CPUC processes, you may contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at: Phone:  1-866-849-8390 (toll-free) or 1-415-703-2074; Email:

Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

PUBLIC COMMENTS BLAST PROPOSED RATE HIKE

As of today, Feb. 23, 395 comments have been received on the CPUC website – all opposed to the SDG&E proposed rate hike.

Here’s a sampling of local comments submitted from San Diego residents, including some in East County:

Jacob Carson La Mesa:  “SDG&E has an unjust monopoly on power generation and has failed the public. We pay more for power than almost anywhere in the country and they are unaccountable. They need to be dissolved and we need a truly public utility.”

Grace Toms El Cajon: “SDGE rate increases are inhumane. This winter was horrible. My mother is older and needs heat to be comfortable but we just couldn't afford it. Can no longer stay in San Diego she has been here for 25+ years... “

Jane Molenaar Poway: “I am a business in San Diego. My gas bill went from roughly $3k-$4k per month to $12k per month. How are we going to stay in business with these rate increases???? This is completely unjust and we have no other options.”

Dina Hitchcock Alpine: “We are a family of 6 on one salary and we only put heat on at night to 68 degrees so our kids don't have to go to sleep cold. Our bill is now so high that we are paying in 3 month payments and still can't afford it while we are on the CARE program.”

Joshua Willingham San Diego: “We already pay the highest rates in the nation. This is greed plain and simple.”

Elisa Gonzalez, La Mesa:  “I am infuriated and disgusted by the raise in gas prices. The increase has nothing to do with increasing cost but everything to do with raising their profits. Gas and electricity is a basic human right.”

Blanca Arias San Marcos: “Do not raise cost of gas and electric. My husband is a veteran 76 years old, retired, worked for VA 30 + years as a social worker with homeless vetrans. I an 67 years old and need to retire. We have a 50 year old disabled son. Too many people are being priced out of being able to live in this state and county. Stop the madness. Thank you.”

M Kirkland Spring Valley:  “I strongly oppose any request from SDG&E to increase their rates. They have record profits already… Instead of [forever] asking for more, why doesn't CPUC and SDG&E evaluate where their current funds are going? Are they being distributed properly?...Their services are required in modern life and can stand between life or death (as we recently saw in Texas). There must be a better way than to continuously raise rates at such an exorbitant rate.

Annika Stone San Diego: “SDGE is currently (as of 2/23/23) the highest priced gas/electric provider in the country. After a record breaking Jan 2023, SDGE has decided to continue to increase their profits by OVER A BILLION DOLLARS in the next 4 years by price gouging customers. It is absolutely abhorrent and disgusting. There is no need for this amount of "increased revenues" for a company that is providing an essential service. It is criminal and should be treated as such. SDGE should NOT profit off of exploiting its customers and causing financial difficulties.”

 Lynette Martin Oceanside: “As a retired senior living on Social Security, SDG&E should be ashamed of raising rates to bill for 20% of my income. I no longer use the gas furnace, all electric is unplugged except for appliances that I can't get unplugged & I'm down to one shower a week. The coming credit is too low!”

RJ Ricasata Chula Vista:  “Even with Solar panels and Tesla Batteries where my electricity bill is around $20 in generation, I still also get charged for over $100 in electric delivery. Gas has more than tripled compared to last year from under $100 on average to close to $400. This is even with the no use of the heater.”

Dana Ursino Santee: “Do not allow yet another rate increase. Family's can not afford their current utility bills. SDG&E profit millions off of their customers currently. This is outrageous. This is why gas & electricity should be public utilities.”

Joan Dolasinski Lakeside: “The residents of San Diego county cannot afford the current energy rate hikes, let alone additional ones! As a senior on a fixed income, my SDG&E bill has more that doubled, and I have cut my home heating and minimized use of gas appliances. It hasn't helped. We have had a colder winter and I don't understand why I have to dress in my home as if I was outside! The reasons for the exorbitant energy rates are not fair to the consumer! Someone needs to take a reasonable look at the needs of the county and NOT gouge already GREATLY taxed taxpayers for basic life necessities!

Kristin Carideo La Mesa: “Sempra, SDG&E’s parent company, has been posting huge profits while consistently raising their energy rates in San Diego. All this does is send executives home with a paycheck made up of the money of the working class here in San Diego. What is the possible justification for these rate hikes when we have some of the most expensive energy in the country - in a region that produces solar energy at a higher rate than most of the country. Please vote no.”

Nolan Estremo San Diego: "`The CPUC values your input on our proceedings, as public comments help us reach an informed decision.’ Do you value our input? Once the rates inevitably increase I'll re-evaluate the "value" of my input. Solar incentives have already been slashed and now a company making record profits is once again is raising rates. We're already among the highest in the country.”