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Southern California Edison (SCE) is planning a 14.4% rate increase in 2021

Every four years, Southern California Edison (SCE) must file what is known as a General Rate Case (GRC) application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The GRC applications set rates that customers pay to fund SCE’s day-to-day operations, including maintenance for its equipment, electricity grid upgrades, among other things. You may have gotten a notice from Southern California about the recent rate increase announcement.

southern califoria edison sce notice to increase electric rates

On August 30, 2019, Southern California Edison filed an application for authority to increase it’s authorized revenues for electric service in 2021. The proposed rate increase for residential homes in SCE territory is 14.4%.

14.4% increase in residential rates
The rates and percentages are averages, and may not be the exact charges you see in your electricity bill. Charges in individual bills depend on how much energy each customer uses.

According to Southern California Edison, the purpose of the increase is to “cover it’s anticipated costs from 2021 through 2024 for its employees to inspect, repair, and when appropriate, upgrade poles, transformers, and distribution lines. This includes reducing wildfire risk and keeping the safety of the grid.” Their primary justification for the increases are threefold: 

  1. The existing funds are inadequate to fulfill all of the infrastructure replacement requests to respond to new higher levels of wildfire risks.
  2. It has also requested more funding to procure enough power to meet its customers’ load.
  3. Costs included that are wholly outside of SCE’s management control such as DWR Power and Bond charge revenue requirements and other costs whose magnitude are prescribed by a regulatory agency to help fund its Renewable and Research, Development, and Demonstration programs.

How will this impact my monthly electricity bill? 

If SCE’s rate request is approved by the CPUC, the average homeowner’s electricity rate will increase from 18.1 cents / kWh to 20.7 cents/kWh. A 14.4% increase! That means that an average home that pays $100 a month to Southern California Edison could see its bills rise by $14.40 a month in 2021 if the request is approved. In 2021, we will see an increase of $14 in 2021, $4 in 2022, and $6 in 2023. The impact would be less for lower-income homeowners enrolled in programs like California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) programs. They will only see an increase of roughly $9.50 in 2021, $3 in 2022, and $4 in 2023. 

Stop the Rising SCE Electricity Rate Increase

Voice Your Opinion with the CPUC

southern california edison sce raising rates

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) needs to hear your voice during their open proceedings. You can read the full details as well as voice your opinion to the California Public Utilities Commission.

Go Solar and Break From SCE's Rising Electricity Costs

With the expansion of solar PV systems being installed in California, more electricity is being returned and redistributed to consumers. By going solar, you can lock in your utility rates, and bypass the 14.4% increase. Conduct your own home energy audit to reduce your electricity usage.

Ready for a local, reliable and honest solar company to be by your side? Call Forme Solar at 714-694-2262 today to get a personalized solar quote. We understand the importance of breaking free from the constantly increase rate hikes from utility companies like SCE. Our goal is to help provide safe, reliable, affordable, and clean electricity to our customers through service excellence.