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KPBS Midday Edition

Utility Commission Rejects SDG&E Proposal To Get Rid Of 'High Usage' Charge

A sign on SDG&E's headquarters appears in this undated photo.
Nicholas McVicker
A sign on SDG&E's headquarters appears in this undated photo.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported San Diego Gas & Electric made a proposal to the state utility commission to save ratepayers money in response to public outcry last summer after thousands of local ratepayers received higher-than-average utility bills following high summer temperatures.

The California Public Utilities Commission rejected a proposal from San Diego Gas & Electric to have its high usage charge removed from its rate structure.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported SDG&E said it made the proposal to save ratepayers money in response to public outcry last summer after thousands of local ratepayers received higher-than-average utility bills following high summer temperatures.

But the CPUC decision could be moot.

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"The CPUC’s decision comes as SDG&E has been rolling out rate plans that don’t include the high usage charge," Rob Nickolewski, energy reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, wrote.

SDG&E's new "time of use" rate structure would charge customers more or less per kilowatt hour based on when they use power, rather than how much they use.

Nickolewski joined Midday Edition Friday to explain how the decision could impact utility bills this summer.