The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold several public forums for customers of Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to offer perspective and input about the companies’ 2024-2027 General Rate Case proceedings, as follows:
WHEN:
- SoCalGas customers:
- SDG&E customers:
REMOTE ACCESS OPTIONS FOR ALL VIRTUAL PUBLIC FORUMS:
- Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
- Participants who choose to participate via webcast will only have audio and video capabilities but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make a comment during the forum, the phone-in information is below.
- For captions, after clicking on the name of the forum, click the green button at the bottom of 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 forums will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
- Phone: 800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#
- Participants will have audio in English 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.
IN-PERSON LOCATION FOR SDG&E’s MARCH 23rd PUBLIC FORUM:
- Address: Sherman Heights Community Center, Multipurpose Room, 2nd Floor, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102. This location is ADA accessible.
- If you wish to make a public comment, please sign up at the Public Advisor’s table upon arrival.
Customers from SoCalGas and SDG&E service areas are encouraged to participate in the public forums (formally known as Public Participation Hearings) remotely by phone or Internet on March 6 and March 15. Those who would like to make public comments at the remote public forums must participate by telephone and make comments through the toll-free phone line. SDG&E customers may also choose to attend in-person (no remote access) on March 23. Those intending to make public comment in-person on March 23 can sign up to speak at the Public Advisor’s table upon arrival. The public forums will begin with a brief overview of SoCalGas or SDG&E’s requests, then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from the utility company will be available to customers during the public forums for individual service, including billing issues.
What is a General Rate Case?
Every four years, SoCalGas and SDG&E are required to file a GRC application with the CPUC to set annual revenues. Annual revenues are the total amount of money the utility is allowed to collect through rates each year. The revenues requested in their respective applications pay for the costs of owning and operating utility infrastructure. The applications do not include the cost to purchase natural gas and electricity for customers and do not determine how revenues are assigned to customer groups.
What is SoCalGas requesting?
On May 16, 2022, SoCalGas submitted its 2024 General Rate Case application (A.22-05-015) requesting CPUC approval to increase revenues for 2024-2027 in order to recover costs associated with operating and maintaining its system. SoCalGas is requesting to increase revenues by $738 million (20.2 percent increase over 2023 expected revenues) in 2024. This application also includes requested increases of $295 million (6.7 percent) in 2025, $261 million (5.6 percent) in 2026, and $379 million (7.7 percent) in 2027. If the CPUC approves this application, SoCalGas will implement new revenues in gas rates beginning on January 1, 2024 to invest in operating and maintaining its system.
What is SDG&E requesting?
On May 16, 2022, SDG&E submitted its 2024 General Rate Case application (A.22-05-016) requesting CPUC approval to increase revenues for 2024-2027 in order to recover costs associated with operating and maintaining its system. SDG&E is requesting to increase revenues by $449 million (17.6 percent increase over 2023 expected revenues) in 2024. This application also includes requested increases of $315 million (10.5 percent) in 2025, $306 million (9.2 percent) in 2026, and $279 million (7.7 percent) in 2027. If the CPUC approves this application, SDG&E will implement new revenues in electric and gas rates beginning on January 1, 2024 to invest in operating and maintaining its system.
The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments on SoCalGas and SDG&E requests at the public forums, 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 in the second quarter of 2024.
While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the public forums, no official action will be taken on this matter at the forum.
If special 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 forum.
You can also make your voice heard in the proceedings, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment sections for the proceedings at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2205015 (SoCalGas) or apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2205016 (SDG&E).
Further information on public forum is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph.
The Ruling setting the public forums is available at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M501/K282/501282911.PDF.
Documents related to the proceedings are available at:
To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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Press Release
