PG&E Wants to Raise Rates Again. Californians Are Not Having It.
PG&E’s latest rate hike proposal could mean even higher bills for California homeowners by 2030 — and the public is pushing back.
PG&E is back at it. In May, the utility filed a formal request to raise electric rates again—this time through its 2027 General Rate Case, proposing annual increases through 2030 that would raise the average homeowner’s bill by roughly 15% over the next few years.
This week, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held a public forum to gather feedback. The message from ratepayers was loud and clear: absolutely not.
“We can’t afford this.”
Dozens of Californians submitted comments ahead of the hearings, and nearly every one of them said the same thing: their bills are already too high.
“I’m a disabled senior living on Social Security. I already pay over $300/month. How is this acceptable?”
“Why should we pay more for a company that’s been convicted of multiple felonies and paid out billions in wildfire damages?”
“The CPUC needs to start standing up for the people, not the utilities. Say no to this rate hike.”
The frustration wasn’t just about the numbers. Customers expressed deep distrust in PG&E’s track record—from bankruptcy to wildfires to executive bonuses—and many said they feel like they’re being squeezed without recourse.
Where solar + battery still gives you power
You won’t hear much about clean energy in the public comments—and honestly, that’s not surprising. When your bill keeps climbing and nothing seems to change, you’re not thinking about long-term energy strategy. You’re just trying to survive.
And let’s be real: this public forum is mostly optics. It holds no actual power over whether the rate hike gets approved.
The most effective way to push back? Change your power strategy.
At Viva Energy, we work with homeowners across the Central Coast and Central Valley who are done playing defense. They want control. They want predictability. And they don’t want to sit around waiting for the next 15% increase to land.
Under NEM 3.0, solar alone saves less—but solar + battery still delivers strong long-term protection.
Home batteries let you avoid high evening rates, especially during peak demand.
With the 30% federal tax credit ending December 31, 2025, the window to lock in incentives is shrinking.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth doing now, the answer is: yes—especially before the next round of increases hits.
Want to have your say? You still can.
The CPUC is still accepting public comments on PG&E’s proposal. You can view the full proceeding and submit your feedback here:
👉 Submit your comment to the CPUC
Bottom line
This rate hike isn’t a done deal yet—but if history is any guide, it probably will be. The question is: what will you do before your next bill goes up again?
Solar + battery is still one of the smartest, most durable investments you can make—not just for clean energy, but for cost stability. If you’re ready to take back control, we’re here to help.
References
PG&E General Rate Case Filing (A.25-05-009): CPUC Docket Card
PG&E Public Participation Hearing Notice: PDF
PG&E Rate Case Overview: PG&E Public Hearings Site