As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to share some reflections from my first six months as President of SDG&E. This time has been defined by listening. Genuinely listening. In periods of change, open and transparent communication is more than just helpful; it is essential. That’s why I’m launching this stakeholder newsletter to keep you informed about our key priorities and initiatives to meet the community's needs.
California stands at the forefront of a global energy transformation. Ambitious climate goals, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on equity and cost stability are fueling this shift. At the same time, more frequent extreme weather events and heightened wildfire risk highlight the urgent need for resilience. In response, we are meeting these challenges with innovation, determination and collaboration.
We have prioritized operational improvements that deliver real, measurable benefits. This year, we accelerated connections for new electric projects, reducing timelines by 50%. We improved our notification process, providing earlier communications when crews are working nearby. For solar customers, we now approve connections in just three days, among the fastest in the state. I am also proud to share that we earned the ReliabilityOne Award for the 20th consecutive year, recognizing our commitment to dependable service.
Listening and Acting. An essential part of our response is also keeping our customers and stakeholders informed. I’ve prioritized conversations with customers, community leaders and partners to understand your concerns and expectations better.
One theme I hear repeatedly is the strain rising household costs, including energy, place on families and businesses. Budgets are tight. Our customers rely on us to deliver the energy they need safely and reliably, while doing everything we can to keep bills as affordable as possible. To help, we’ve invested $8 million in shareholder funding for programs like Neighbor-to-Neighbor, which helps customers with past-due balances. In 2026, we’ll contribute nearly another $1 million to continue this support.
What we’re doing. State policy, infrastructure upgrades and regulations affect energy prices. That’s why we’re taking action. We’re pushing for smarter policies and streamlining operations to cut costs and pass savings to customers. For example, our battery storage investments will return nearly $200 million in federal tax credits to customers this year and more in 2026, helping offset rising costs. We’ve also made significant operational improvements to reduce the cost of strategic undergrounding in our highest fire-risk areas by nearly 50%.
We’re also advocating in Sacramento. More than half of SDG&E’s residential bills are driven by state mandated programs that lack sunset provisions or periodic review. My team is working directly with lawmakers and regulators to advance policies that remove non-cost effective programs from bills and improve affordability without compromising safety or reliability. This includes reforming the California Climate Credit and ending outdated Public Purpose Programs.
We’ve taken steps to offset rising energy costs, but there’s more to do. We’ll keep acting with urgency and focus until we see real progress. Our customers and communities deserve nothing less. Looking ahead, we’ll continue our commitment to enhancing safety, improving customer service, and making bills more manageable by leveraging advanced technology at a lower cost.
As the year ends, I’m proud of our progress delivering safe, reliable energy. The conversations and partnerships we’ve built have shaped our direction and strengthened our ability to serve. Thank you for your candor and collaboration. Wishing you a restorative holiday season and a new year of continued dialogue and greater impact.
Warm regards,
Scott Crider