PG&E Bill Increases on the Horizon: Customers to Face Higher Charges Soon

This is the fourth PG&E price hike in 2024 and some people are starting to become suspicious. “I’m possibly considering whether I have to leave the state now,” Craig Bailey, a Santa Maria resident said.

PG&E bills are about to go up by about $6 starting next month.

“It means I ponder the future of staying in California,” Stephanie Foster said.

This rate increase, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday, might not seem like a lot but when it’s the fourth one this year, it can add up.

“Four times a year I’m sorry but what in the world is four times a year needed for?” Bailey questioned.

Bailey is hoping to retire soon but now his plans could be changing.

“It’s going to force me to get a part-time job after I retire,” said Bailey. “Before, during the summer, I could have a $40 electric bill now it’s over $200 just for the summer months and during the winter months it goes all the way up to $500 and more.”

For PG&E customer, Stephanie Foster, she says she isn’t being affected as much as Bailey.

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“I’m an EV owner in California and it gives me some relief on the rates,” Foster said.

According to PG&E, they need to bump up bills to make back what they lost during last year’s winter storms.

Seven million customers got help from PG&E during last year’s storms. That’s just over seven thousand people working to repair more than four thousand poles and 850 miles of wire.

Utility officials say there was a 9% temporary decrease in July and they are still working to cut costs and bring prices down in the future.