California lawmakers and citizens are expressing concern over PG&E's recent actions and proposals regarding utility bills and rate hikes. Rep. Thompson and Rep. Mike Levin have led a letter urging the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to avoid imposing charges that would increase utility bills and hinder families from saving costs through energy efficiency or solar installations. Rep. Josh Harder highlighted PG&E's rate increases twice this year and is working on legislation to prevent such hikes. Concerns were raised about a proposal that could see Californians, including a single parent with one child living in a small apartment in San Diego earning just $40,000 per year, facing a new fixed monthly charge of $73, potentially up to $128, irrespective of energy usage. This comes as PG&E is allowed to delay paying two-thirds of the $1 billion it owes customers, spreading the payment over two years. The CPUC's proposal for a flat fee on utility bills in exchange for lower electricity prices is expected to be implemented by late 2025 or early 2026. Meanwhile, recent rate hikes have led to widespread customer complaints and have significantly impacted businesses, such as an Orinda theater, which is now forced to alter its operations due to increased utility costs.
PG&E customers could see lowered, fixed power bills with CPUC's proposal https://t.co/0zjFHUur35 https://t.co/qrUog6ut7x
Recent PG&E rate hikes have led to complaints from customers across California, but now, an Orinda theater says those booming bills are forcing them to change how they do business. https://t.co/uBlGrl0MdT
PG&E customers would see a new fixed charge by late 2025 or early 2026 if state regulators vote for a flat fee on utility bills in exchange for lower electricity prices. https://t.co/tUzYabLVCV
PG&E gets to delay paying bulk of $1 billion it owes to customer credit fund. https://t.co/eGg5klREov
Regulators have agreed to let PG&E delay paying two-thirds of the $1 billion it owes customers, allowing the power company to take the next two years to pay the full amount. https://t.co/q7ZRPZnsG8
“A single parent with one child living in a small apartment in the expensive San Diego area earning just $40,000 per year would be forced to pay a new fixed charge of $73 each month—regardless of how much they try to reduce their energy usage,” Californians could see up to $128…
PG&E has already raised rates 2x this year! I'm working on a bill to stop these constant rate hikes. How much have your PG&E bills gone up since the January 1st increase?
Led a letter with Rep. Mike Levin, calling on CPUC to avoid imposing charges that will raise utility bills & make it substantially more difficult for families to realize cost savings from electrifying their homes, improving their energy efficiency, or installing rooftop solar. https://t.co/wIitY94If6