Listen here:
Cold wet weather continues to hit the Hi Desert with record low temps in January and February. Those two months also coincided with a gas bill increase for those of us in the Morongo Basin who use SoCalGas – with some bills doubling or tripling in cost for comparable usage to last year.
Now SoCalGas has sent out an email to customers notifying them that their monthly bill could increase a further 13% next year – and the utility company is holding public hearings to listen to your comments about the general rate increase.
SoCalGas says they are continuing to raise rates so that they can increase their revenue by 738 million dollars in 2024 – which they say pays for the infrastructure – not the cost of purchasing the natural gas for SoCalGas customers.
If the increase moves forward – a household that uses 36 therms a month would get a roughly 8 dollar or 13 percent increase on their monthly bill, compared to the estimated 2023 bills. You can see your average “therm” usage on your monthly gas bill -. This rate would vary with customers who use more or less gas than the amount used to estimate the increase.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) needs to agree on rate increase – and they are holding a public forum that can be attended over the phone. The hearings take place on March 6th and 15th where a judge will consider proposals and evidence presented during the formal hearing process and then make a proposed decision that may adopt SoCalGas’s application, modify it, or deny it.
Any CPUC Commissioner may sponsor an alternate decision with a different outcome. The proposed decision, and any alternate decision will be discussed and voted upon by the CPUC Commissioners at a public Voting Meeting.
If the SoCalGas rate increase goes through – your January 2024 gas bill will reflect the new higher rates.
How to participate in the public hearings:
Para más información sobre esta reunión pública, y cómo este cambio impactará su factura, llame al 1-800-342-4545.
You can provide written public comments at any time during the proceeding at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2205015
Where and when will this/these Public Forum(s) be held?
March 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Phone Number: 800-857-1917
Passcode: 1767567#
Webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
March 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Phone Number: 800-857-1917
Passcode: 1767567#
Webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
