The PG&E Rate Increase in 2022: What You Need to Know
In California, utility customers know a thing or two about PG&E rate increases.
The utility giant has increased its rates regularly. In fact, there were rate increases in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
It should come as no surprise, then, that PG&E customers could face another round of price hikes this year.
In April, PG&E sought state approval to increase its rates to float expenses related to its facilities, operations, and estimated capital costs.
While this is unwelcome news, you don’t have to face it alone.
In this blog, we’ll discuss everything we know about the new PG&E rate increase and what you can expect in the coming year.
Let’s dive in.
Why did PG&E Raise its Rates in 2022?
PG&E is California’s largest natural gas and electricity provider, and it’s no stranger to raising its prices.
Because PG&E’s electricity prices reflect the cost of natural gas, which has increased dramatically over the past few years, the utility giant has continued to raise its prices to keep up with the supply cost.
While that problem isn’t unique to California, customers in the Golden State have felt the pinch especially acutely since utility bills were high in the first place.
It’s not just supply and demand impacting PG&E’s rates, though. The company is also being held financially responsible for the wildfires its equipment has caused in recent years.
The utility reached settlements totaling $55 million for the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2021 Dixie Fire and a massive settlement valued at around $13.5 billion for the 2018 Camp Fire.
While part of the revenue generated from PG&E’s rate increases will go toward efforts to prevent future wildfires, advocates predict that customers shoulder the financial burden of the settlements, as well.
What Does This Mean for Me?
If you’re asking, “Why is my PG&E bill so high in 2022?” you’re not alone.
Some PG&E customers have seen their bills double or even triple in recent months. This year in 2022, PG&E has increased prices by roughly 21% for Tier 1 customers and 17% for Tier 2 customers compared to 2021.
Here’s a stark example: one Elk Grove customer paid $36 for heat in October. By January, her bill had increased to $350.
For most Californians, skyrocketing energy prices mean one thing: less financial security for their families, especially with a recession looming on the horizon.
In recent years, the average household’s PG&E bill has increased to $384 annually.
The utility is already asking for rate increases that could amount to another $377 per household annually by 2023.
PG&E Rate Increase History: A Brief Overview
PG&E’s customers currently pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country.
In fact, PG&E’s rates have increased faster than inflation for the past decade. Residential rates went up 31% between 2009 and 2019, compared to the consumer price index of just 19%.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
At the start of 2019, the company increased residential electricity rates by 8% and boosted gas rates by 11%.
That move alone created an average monthly bill increase of about $19 for customers.
But PG&E didn’t stop there.
In January of 2022, electricity rates went up 8%. In March of this year, there was another rate hike of 8.9% - translating to a bill increase of nearly $14 per month. PG&E’s gas rates, meanwhile, went up 11% in January alone.
And that’s not the end of it:
The utility has asked for annual rate increases of 3%-4% each year from 2024-2026.
As any customer can easily see, the last few years have just been the beginning of many rate hikes to come.
How Can I Lower My PG&E Bill?
Can’t bear the thought of paying even higher PG&E rates? Follow these tips to lower your bill:
Install a solar power and battery backup system. The ultimate way to get off the PG&E hamster wheel is to quit the utility altogether. Instead, hire Sandbar Solar & Electric to install a customized solar power and battery backup system to run your home.
Turn down your thermostat when you’re not home. For each degree you lower your thermostat over an eight-hour timeframe, you can save about 1% on your heating bills.
Keep your water temperature low. Your water heater thermostat should be 120 degrees or lower for maximum efficiency. This could help you save up to 10% in water heating costs for every ten degrees you decrease the thermostat.
Heat food in the microwave. When it’s time to reheat those leftovers, go for the microwave rather than the oven. The microwave takes less time and uses 80% less energy than an oven.
Upgrade to LED lighting. If you have incandescent lighting throughout your home, swap it out for LED bulbs, which use about 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer.
Cost-Saving Programs
In addition to the tactics listed above, PG&E makes several cost-saving programs available to California customers. These include the following:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program gives eligible customers up to $1,000 toward eligible household energy costs.
Relief for Energy Assistance Through Community Help (REACH) Program: This program offers one-time financial assistance to qualifying customers with past-due bills with PG&E.
Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): This program provides up to $8,000 in unpaid balance forgiveness for qualified customers.
California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Act: This program helps eligible households pay utilities and rent. Funds can be used for past due or future payments. Both renters and landlords may apply.
Budget Billing: PG&E’s budget billing program averages annual energy costs for a more manageable and predictable monthly payment.
Go Solar & Break Free From PG&E Today with Sandbar!
Don’t suffer through yet another PG&E rate increase. Go solar and quit PG&E for good!
At Sandbar Solar & Electric, we help customers throughout California gain and maintain energy independence with high-quality, custom-designed solar power and battery backup systems.
