PG&E Announces Temporary Electricity Rate Cuts

Electricity is something almost everyone depends on, but the cost of keeping the lights on can sometimes be painful.

Santa Maria resident Maria Pacheco has noticed the cost of living increasing.

“Honestly, it can get really stressful being the sole breadwinner when the bills come in, it’s a lot to handle,” Pacheco says.

As a single mother, Pacheco says she finds managing a budget increasingly difficult, and during the hot summer months, her electricity bills can make her nervous.

“Last month I paid a high bill, between $180 and $200,” Pacheco said.

In Guadalupe, Marta Padilla says she can’t pay her bills because of an injury that has kept her from working, adding that her daily use of air conditioning worries her.

“Last month it was more expensive and I still haven’t been able to pay that bill,” Padilla says.

Mary Whiteman, who lives in Tanglewood, also finds it necessary to budget for her electricity bills. “Every little bit counts,” she says.

Effective July 1, PG&E announced a temporary 9% reduction in electricity rates after recovering accrued expenses for work done in previous years.

However, the California Public Utilities Commission is reviewing PG&E’s request to collect costs for work done in 2022 and 2023, which could lead to a rate increase later this year. PG&E expects the changes to have little impact on average customer bills for the rest of the year.

PG&E says it is exploring ways to reduce operating costs without compromising safety, reliability or customer service.

“I’m looking forward to that lower electric bill,” Pacheco said.

PG&E is sharing simple steps customers can take to save money during the summer, including setting thermostats to 78 degrees, because every degree above 78 represents a 2% cost savings.