PG&E rate proposal would raise typical bill more than $10 a month

[Auggie]

San Francisco Chronicle / 12-14-18

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. asked regulators Thursday for permission to raise nearly $2 billion in new revenue from ratepayers over three years, starting in 2020, with more than half the proceeds going to cover wildfire prevention work.

If it is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, the proposal would increase an average residential customer’s bill by 6.4 percent, or $10.57 per month in 2020, PG&E said.

The request was made as part of the routine process through which the utilities commission authorizes the amount of revenue PG&E is allowed to collect from customers over a three-year period. PG&E’s next rate request covers 2020 through 2022.

The proposal seeks $1.06 billion for the first year. It asks for an additional $454 million in 2021 and $486 million in 2022, a company spokeswoman said.

MORE (possible paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/PG-E-rate-proposal-would-raise-typical-bill-more-13465053.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result

If, on the other hand, the utility was OWNED BY THE STATE, profits could be funneled directly into wildfire prevention and tech upgrades (not forgetting further investment is green/sustainable power generation) WITHOUT RAISING RATES.

Dividends and climate change expenditure do not mix. Publicly-traded utilities are ill-equipped to protect us.

[JayhawkSD]

1. The other side of the story is government.

California Public Utilities Commission mandated that a High Usage Charge (HUC) be added to residential pricing during summer months. This is a plan put into effect last year for residences, but not commercial properties, that imposes an additional and very high surcharge whenever monthly use exceeds four times average. That surcharge can more than double the bill and, to repeat, businesses do not pay it.

Not only do businesses not pay it, but it is not a tax, paid to the government. Even though mandated by government regulation, it is revenue to the power company, and is added to their profit.

During recent heat waves in San Diego, homeowners were getting hit with horrendous electric bills due to these surcharges. SDG&E was sympathetic, and offered payment plans, but could not offer cuts because the charges were mandated by the state.

[CountAllVotes]

2. f you PG&E!

PG&E has ruined the lives of many with their corruption and negligence.

Not ONE MORE dollar damnit!

Look at what they have done in Paradise, CA!

Cat Timber was lucky and survived. 88+ people are dead and yes PG&E, you WILL be sued from here to hell and back!

[ROB-ROX]

3. CORRUPT AND CRIMINAL

I live in California. I think the state should finance and promote solar or wind power to residents. Why support a POWER institution which is only in business for a profit? There are plenty of hydro power stations in California. I think the sooner the residents have their own solar or wind power the better it will be for the state and the world......I live in an area that had a power plant converted to burn forest bio waste. This power plant was closed down after a few years. Plenty of fuel, but it did not go along with big business plans for power generation.......SOLAR RULES