January 26, 2023
Alice Busching Reynolds
President
California Public Utility Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Commissioner Reynolds:
Heating bills are soaring. Some residents are seeing their bills double, or even triple. This comes on the heels of a weakened economy. Facing persistent inflation, residents are forced to pay skyrocketing prices for rent, food and energy.
To provide financial relief, we ask that the California Public Utilities Commission approve eligible credits to residents’ electric and gas bills as soon as possible to help offset new cost increases.
In the Commission’s implementation, we ask that the credits be applied in months in which customers are typically at their highest. Therefore, credits should provide the most relief to those struggling during peak rate increase periods – gas prices in the winter and electricity prices in the summer.
Due to market conditions and a lack of domestic energy production, natural gas rates have more than doubled – to the tune of 128% since December. Many of these homeowners and renters are enduring financial hardships due to the extreme inflation, forcing them to choose between paying for their energy bill and paying for food and other essential items just to survive.
While residents are conserving when possible to lower their gas bill, it is imperative that the Commission do what it can to help ease this financial burden. With that goal in mind, we ask you to support Item 24, “Modification of Timing of Electric and Gas Climate Credits” at the February 2nd meeting.
Sincerely,
