San Diego Gas & Electric customers are furious over a proposed rate hike that would add nearly $270 a year to the average household’s energy bills — as the utility seeks to reap billions more over the next four years.
The utility is asking California regulators for permission to collect an additional $280 million in 2028 above its expected 2027 revenue, bringing the requested amount to $3.8 billion that year.
The proposed increase would represent an average 8.6% increase in combined electric and gas bills, or about $22.48 per month, starting in 2028. And that’s just the beginning: SDG&E wants to continue growing revenue through 2031, totaling an additional $1.07 billion over four years.
The proposal sparked outrage Tuesday at a public meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission in Santee, where a packed City Council room heard from customers and opponents who criticized the utility for its affordability and profits.
Some speakers accused the company of greed, pointing to its reported profits while households continue to struggle with high energy costs.
“We pay some of the highest rates in the country,” said Tyler Andre of SanDiego350, pointing to the utility’s reported profit of $862 million for the first nine months of 2026.
“SDG&E just reported record third-quarter profits and is expected to exceed $1 billion this year for the first time,” he continued, to boos from the crowd.
Other customers have taken aim at the prospect of paying even more for a service they say is already becoming unaffordable.
“This is a slap in the face to us, the customers, because we are the ones who make this business work,” one commenter said during public comment.
“Before we approve another increase, could you tell me: what do we have to give up to pay for it? asked another.
SDG&E says the additional revenue would help fund wildfire prevention, infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity, insurance and other operating costs.
“We know our customers are concerned about affordability, and we take that seriously,” a spokesperson for the utility said in a statement. “We are focused on controlling costs, operating more efficiently, and finding ways to keep bills as manageable as possible while continuing to provide safe and reliable energy. Our rate request is a proposal and will be subject to extensive public review.”
The proposal now faces scrutiny from the California Public Utilities Commission, which will hold additional virtual public meetings on Dec. 9 and 10 to gather feedback.
A final decision on the rate request is not expected for at least a year, meaning the proposed increases are not yet approved and will not take effect immediately.
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