San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has once again proposed to increase its rates, but this time it is receiving pushback from local residents who are tired of the company’s blatant efforts to take advantage of San Diego taxpayers.
Under the proposed plan, customers in San Diego and Orange Counties will have to pay an average of $8.45 more per month for electricity and $9.16 more per month for natural gas. While the company claims that these rate hikes are necessary to achieve clean energy goals, many residents are skeptical of the true motivations behind the proposal.
It is not hard to see why residents are upset with SDG&E’s proposal. For years, the company has been criticized for its high rates and lack of transparency. It seems that every time the company wants to fund a new project, they turn to the taxpayers to foot the bill.
This time, the company claims that the rate hikes are necessary to invest in infrastructure that will help San Diego achieve energy independence and become net-zero by 2045. But it’s hard to believe that this is the only motivation behind the proposal.
In reality, it seems that SDG&E is simply trying to squeeze more money out of taxpayers to pad their bottom line. And with the proposal still needing approval from the California Public Utilities commission, it is up to us as taxpayers to speak out against this blatant attempt to take advantage of our wallets.
As taxpayers, we deserve better than a company that is more interested in lining its own pockets than investing in our community. It is time for SDG&E to be held accountable for its actions and for our elected officials to demand more transparency and accountability from the company.
We cannot allow SDG&E to continue to take advantage of our community. It is time for us to stand together and demand that our voices be heard. The proposed rate hikes are unacceptable, and we will not rest until our concerns are addressed and our rights as taxpayers are protected.
By Eddie McCoven
SAN DIEGO – Residents made their voices heard, speaking out against a proposed San Diego Gas & Electric rate hike.
“People in San Diego are really upset with the rate hikes,” said resident Derek Casady. “We need to have public power, not investor- owned power.”
SDG&E plans to charge customers in San Diego and Orange Counties on average $8.45 more per month for electricity and $9.16 more per month for natural gas. The utility says the rate hikes are a part of its efforts in advances toward clean energy.
“All of this infrastructure is to meet the demands of 2045 where we hope to be energy independent from fossil fuels and be net zero by 2045,” said SDG&E spokesman Anthony Wagner.
The rate hikes need approval from the California Public Utilities commission and wouldn’t take effect until next year.
