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SDG&E Customers Getting Credit On Bills

SDG&E Customers Getting Credit On Bills
Electricity customers of San Diego Gas & Electric will get refund checks in October. State regulators approved the refund because the company overcharged for a program that monitors the utility's energy buying.

Electricity customers of San Diego Gas & Electric will get refund checks in October. State regulators approved the refund because the company overcharged for a program that monitors the utility's energy buying.

The California Public Utilities Commission today approved a refund of $124 million. Refunds will come as a one-time credit on next month's electric bills with most residential customers receiving an average of $71.

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SDG&E requested CPUC's approval for the refund.

Michael Shames with the Utility Consumers Action Network says along with that approval, the state agency also approved an energy efficiency plan.

"At the same time that the PUC gave us this refund, they also were agreeing that SDG&E could spend $278 million on energy efficiency programs," Shames explains. "So essentially we were given the money, and will get the money in October, but they're going to be taking back the money in January."

Shames says since the energy efficiency program is supported by ratepayers, the money comes as a charge to utility customers.