Update on SDG&E Billing Structure from Supervisor Jim Desmond

On April 8, during the notable eclipse event, Supervisor Jim Desmond of San Diego County District 5 shared an important update regarding the billing structure of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Addressing concerns previously voiced by the community and himself, Supervisor Desmond highlighted the planned changes to the fixed rate portion of the SDG&E electric bills.

Originally, the billing was proposed to be income-based, with three tiers affecting the fixed rate portion. This meant that households with higher incomes would incur higher fixed charges on their electric bills, regardless of their actual electricity usage. This proposal faced significant opposition from the community.

In response to community pressure and numerous petitions, the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees electricity rates, has decided to revise this approach. Instead of an income-based tier system, a flat rate of $24 will now be applied to all households for the fixed rate portion of the electric bill. This change means that the fixed charge will no longer be tied to household income or electricity consumption levels.

Supervisor Desmond emphasized that this adjustment, although not a complete solution, is a move in the right direction. He advocates for a billing system where charges are based solely on actual electricity usage, rather than fixed rates that apply even to those who may not be using the grid, such as solar panel owners.

The final decision on this new billing structure is expected to be made in May. Desmond's message underscored the impact of community engagement and the importance of voicing concerns to elected officials. He thanked the community for their involvement, marking the announcement as a positive development on eclipse day.

For more updates from Supervisor Jim Desmond, you can visit his official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@supervisorjimdesmond or the sign up for updates from the official website of Supervisor Jim Desmond.