Association Speaks Out Against PG&E Rate Increases at CPUC Hearing

 This past week, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held a hearing to open the discussion on PG&E’s 2027 General Rate Case (GRC) where they are proposing additional rate increases of 23.5% from 2027 to 2030!  Keep in mind this increase does not reflect the additional Wildfire Mitigation Fund, the undergrounding of electrical lines or any infrastructure improvements necessary to meet the State of California’s “all electric mandate”.   Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom and Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez both testified in opposition to the proposed increases. 

Isom stated “We cannot afford any more increases. With 1.5 million PG&E customers behind on their bills, people are having to make the choice of keeping the lights on or putting food on the table. Meanwhile, PG&E set record profits of $2.24 billion in 2023 and $2.47 billion in 2024! We urge the CPUC to deny this increase!” Rodriguez added “We cannot compete with the rest of the country or the world marketplace. According to a recent PPIC report, California electric rates are more than 80% higher than the rest of the country, and the federal government’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA) says the systemwide average rate for electricity is 30.01 ¢/kWh, while the US average rate is 15.2 ¢/kWh.  We can’t charge more for our agricultural products simply because our electric rates are higher.  We urge the CPUC to reject this increase!”Isom stated “We cannot afford any more increases. With 1.5 million PG&E customers behind on their bills, people are having to make the choice of keeping the lights on or putting food on the table. Meanwhile, PG&E set record profits of $2.24 billion in 2023 and $2.47 billion in 2024! We urge the CPUC to deny this increase!” Rodriguez added “We cannot compete with the rest of the country or the world marketplace. According to a recent PPIC report, California electric rates are more than 80% higher than the rest of the country, and the federal government’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA) says the systemwide average rate for electricity is 30.01 ¢/kWh, while the US average rate is 15.2 ¢/kWh.  We can’t charge more for our agricultural products simply because our electric rates are higher.  We urge the CPUC to reject this increase!”