Public Forum on SDG&E’s Rate Design Request

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold in-person and virtual public forums for customers of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to provide input into the company’s proposal to allocate previously approved electric costs among customers (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) through electric rates.

WHEN:

• Nov. 6, 2023: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (in-person only)
• Nov. 20, 2023: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (virtual only)

WHAT: The public forums will begin with a brief overview of SDG&E’s electric rate design proposals, then parties to the proceeding may provide brief overviews, and then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from SDG&E will be available to answer questions about individual customer bills or service.

IN-PERSON LOCATION FOR THE NOV. 6^th PUBLIC FORUMS:

• Address: Escondido City Council Chambers, 201 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
• If you wish to make a public comment, please sign up at the Public Advisor’s table upon arrival.

REMOTE ACCESS OPTIONS FOR THE NOV. 20^th VIRTUAL PUBLIC FORUMS:

• Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
  • Participants who choose to view via webcast will have audio and video but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make comment during the forums, refer to the phone-in information below.
  • For captions, after clicking on the name of the meeting, click the green button below the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
  • The public forums will be recorded and archived for future viewing.
• Phone: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 6032788#
  • Participants will have audio and will be able to make comments. (To make a comment, after entering the passcode, when prompted press *1, unmute your phone, and record your name.)
  • Wait times depend on the number of speakers in the public comment queue. During times of high call volumes, wait times will be longer. The operator will call on you when it is your turn to speak.

Customers can also make their voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on the proceeding’s Docket Card comment section.

BACKGROUND: On January 17, 2023, SDG&E submitted its General Rate Case (GRC) Phase 2 Application to the CPUC seeking approval to allocate the costs that were approved in Phase 1 of the GRC. A GRC Phase 2 primarily focuses on modifying rate structures and the allocation of revenue among customer classes (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial). According to SDG&E, the requested rate adjustments include:

• Extending the weekday Super Off-Peak Time-of-Use period, the period of the day when SDG&E’s Time-of-Use rates are the lowest, to include additional hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. year-round;
• Introducing a new rate class for medium-sized commercial customers providing rates that are more aligned with these customers’ cost of service; and,
• Adopting rates that better reflect the cost of providing service for customers, among other rate design changes. (SDG&E’s application does not propose any alterations to SDG&E’s previously authorized electric revenues and makes no requests for changes to natural gas rates.)

SDG&E’s proposal would decrease average residential rates by 0.3 percent, decrease average small commercial rates by 0.2 percent, decrease average large commercial and industrial rates by 1.1 percent, and increase average agricultural customer rates by 1.3 percent.

The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments at the public forums (formally called Public Participation Hearings), as public comments help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceeding is scheduled to issue a Proposed Decision in the case for consideration by the CPUC within a year.

No official action will be taken on this matter at the public forums.

If specialized accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the public forums.

More information is available in the Ruling setting the public forums.

More information on public forums is available on the CPUC’s website.

Documents related to this proceeding are available on the Docket Card.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service.