Harder introduces bill to limit PG&E rate hikes to once per year

Rep. Josh Harder (D–Tracy) is proposing a bill that would prevent PG&E from raising its rates multiple times a year. 

Harder introduced the Stop the Rates Hikes Act into Congress on Monday in response to many rate hikes from the utility over the last several years. 

Driving the news: Utility bills have skyrocketed in PG&E’s coverage zone, which spans the Central Valley, the Central Coast, the Bay Area and most of Northern California. 

• KQED reported earlier this year that the average PG&E bill has increased by around 67% since 2020, driven mostly by the electricity rate hikes. 
• The average residential ratepayer now pays an average of around $300 per month in PG&E bills. Customers paid an average of $179 per month in 2020. 
• PG&E raised its rates six times last year, and earlier this year the utility asked the California Public Utilities Commission to approve another rate hike to collect an additional $3.1 billion for work that was considered last year. 

The big picture: The Stop the Rate Hikes Act would limit utilities to one rate hike per year. 

• Utilities would only even be allowed to request one rate increase annually, even if a previous request that year has already been denied. 

What he’s saying: “Families here in the Valley can’t afford this insanity,” Harder said. “The average bill is now $300 a month, and PG&E keeps demanding more and more money. PG&E has to be held accountable, now. My bill will put a stop to these rate hikes and give families the stability they deserve.”