Should SoCalGas be allowed to close all of its branches? You can help decide

Southern California’s largest gas company wants to shut down all of its branch locations, which could affect how you pay your bill.

SoCalGas has 43 locations across the region where customers can ditch the service hotline and get help with their bills in person. Its offices span from Dinuba (near Fresno) all the way down to the border in El Centro.

The utility asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for permission to close them last year. Now, the state agency wants your input.

Lower use

Chris Gilbride, a spokesperson for the utility, said in a statement the proposal is about adjusting to customer preferences and long-term affordability.

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Bill payments make up nearly all transactions at SoCalGas offices, but those have declined significantly over the years, according to the application.

Most customers pay online, call in or go to one of 400 authorized payment locations, like grocery stores, all of which are cheaper to run. SoCalGas says these are reasonably comparable alternatives to the branches.

Those 43 locations cost nearly $19 million to operate in 2024. If the closures are approved, the utility says it’ll return those savings to customers.

How much that could be is unclear. The union representing branch employees, UWUA Local 132, says they were told there might not be any direct savings.

The commission has let other utilities, like Southern California Edison, close their branch offices in the past.

Access concerns

While a majority of customers don’t rely on in-person anymore, there are still some who do.

William Gilbertson, the local’s president and a lead  construction technician at SoCalGas, said that at authorized payment locations, you pay your bill and leave. Branch offices do more, like schedule service and answer questions about your bill.

“[During] Palisade Fire and the Eaton Fire, a lot of people went to our members to ask questions at the branch offices,” he said. “It was kind of like a lifeline for the community.”

He said the union has also heard about difficulties customers have had resolving serious issues in their accounts without an in-person location.

“ You can do [fraud verification] online, but you have to have a fax machine and you have to fill out all the paperwork,” he said. “So it’s kind of tough for someone that isn’t tech savvy to do that.”

Multiple unionized branch employees have written to the CPUC. They’re asking the commission to deny the proposal, saying they want to continue providing a needed service for their customers. Some don’t trust the internet, can’t use the customer service hotline or experience language barriers.

SoCalGas says it’ll work with local faith and community groups to make sure vulnerable people, such as those with low-come or a disability, are aware of the closures and alternate options.

The timing of branch closures would vary since the utility leases some buildings and owns others, but if it’s approved, SoCalGas is generally eyeing a 120-day timeline. Gilbertson expects a decision to come in June.

How to add your voice

Until then, you can add your thoughts anytime to the filing’s docket card.

The CPUC is also having public hearings. What you share at these meetings will be transcribed and put into the formal record so it can inform the agency’s ruling.

The first few will take place in person in L.A. and Orange counties. If you want to give public comment, you’ll sign up at the location’s Public Advisor’s Office table. Another pair of hearings will happen remotely, which take public comment over the phone.

Language interpreters and other accommodation are available if you contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office with at least five business days’ notice of the given hearing. Here are the dates and times for both formats: