PG&E is Proposing 8% Rate Hikes- but It’s Not What You Think. Why Bills are Likely to ‘Remain Flat’

Source: KTVU Fox 2  |  By Tom Vacar

PG&E is proposing an 8% rate increase, but that would be offset by some cost savings subtracted from customers' bills.  PG&E also says though it is requesting its smallest percentage increase in a decade from 2027 to 2030, customer bills will remain flat and even go down a bit next year. 

The Utility Reform Network (TURN) sees the price hike quite differently. "It may look like [prices are] actually going down slightly, but remember, last year they had six rate increases and that's only half the story. They're asking for 17 pending rate increases and this will offset any slight rate decreases.” TURN argues that even if the California Public Utilities Commission approves only half of those increases, there are still real increases above and beyond this one major rate request. Lee Trotman also added “the real proof if bills stay stable or actually go down will be when customers open their bills and see real changes.”