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SoCal Edison customers could see a rate hike as soon as next month. What you need to know
Southern California Edison workers service a utility pole in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
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Ethan Swope
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Associated Press
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Topline:
On Thursday, state regulators are slated to decide whether to allow Southern California Edison to increase customers' rates by about 10%.
What does this mean for most people? If the plan is approved as currently written, the rate hike would go into effect Oct. 1, and regulators estimate it would add as much as $17 to the average monthly residential bill.
Why the increase? The California Public Utilities Commission states on its website that the rate increase would go toward wildfire mitigation — such as putting power lines underground and upgrades to aging equipment — as well as other grid improvements. An Edison spokesperson told LAist that the additional funds would support a more reliable electric grid and allow the company to respond to increasing threats to its system.
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The timing: The rate hike comes as many ratepayers are reeling from January’s fires. Earlier this month U.S. prosecutors announced a lawsuit against Edison, alleging it was responsible for the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Investigators have yet to announce an official cause.
What’s next? The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to take up the proposed rate increase on Thursday. The meeting begins at 11 a.m. and you can watch it here. To make a public comment, you can participate by phone.
- English: (800) 857-1917, passcode: 9899501#
- Spanish: (800) 857-1917, passcode: 3799627#
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