In recent weeks, our customers made it very clear to us that they wanted SDG&E to do a better job of informing them on why their gas and electric rates and bills have gone up. We heard their feedback loud and clear.

That is why we have launched a new website, www.sdgeratesinfo.com, as a one-stop shop for customers to get information on what goes into rates and bills, why bills have gone up, who sets rates, what benefits they receive, and what SDG&E is doing to address affordability.

While understanding what goes into energy bills may not ease the burden of paying them, customers deserve to know what they are paying for and why.

Addressing energy affordability

Earlier this week, at an energy affordability workshop held by the California Public Utilities Commission, Scott Crider, SDG&E’s senior vice president of customer services and external affairs, encouraged the state legislature to immediately pass legislation to remove the costs of state-mandated public purpose programs from energy bills, and instead finance those important programs through the state’s general fund. If approved, the legislation could save the average family about $90 a year.

Crider, who was part of a panel focused on non-ratepayer sources of funding, also noted that SDG&E will work to provide bill relief to customers by aggressively pursuing state and federal resources to help offset the costs of climate adaptation infrastructure. Currently, about 40% of what customers pay in their SDG&E bills are climate-related expenses.

Website intended to bring transparency

Our goal for the website is to bring a new level of clarity and transparency to natural gas and electric rates, which are very complex and highly regulated. The website will be periodically updated as major developments take place. We encourage everyone to visit it if they have questions about their rates and bills.