SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) rates will once again be going up.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted Thursday to approve two new hikes.
The approval marks the fifth and sixth rate increases for the utility in 2024.
PG&E says the hikes will be used to help fund vegetation management and extend the operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County.
The latest price increase will be rolled out on customers' bills across a 12-month period starting in 2026.
According to The Utility Reform Network, also known as TURN, PG&E Customers are already paying an average of $50 more than at the beginning of the year.
"I can't even afford to buy Christmas presents this year or put up Christmas lights because the rates are so extreme. I can't even afford PG&E," said Don King with the 'Stop PG&E' group.
The exact increase you'll see on your bill is unclear at this time, but customers can expect to pay more through 2026.
"Rising rates to pay for PG&E's wildfire, relief, relief that should come out of their profits and not our pockets. Is nothing short of a monopoly scheme," said Krishna De La Cruz, a PG&E customer.
Members of the board defended the decision.
"The company completed work in extremely risky parts and its service territory. I can understand the public's frustration with PG&E rate increases and that could be impulsive to punish a utility for its past failings, but we need them to take action in an emergency situation," explained CPUC Board Member John Reynolds.
Mark Toney, the executive director of TURN, says this hike is because of mismanagement.
"In 2020 to 2022, PG&E got a budget for vegetation management tree trimming, things like that, and they overspent their budget," said Toney.
However, PG&E is pushing back, saying it is "working to maximize every dollar, including adopting company-wide savings initiatives to reduce our operating costs and limit unnecessary expenses."
PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith says rates fluctuate and while there were rate increases during 2024, they were offset by a 9% electric rate decrease in July 2024.
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