Why do some California customers pay twice as much as the rest of the U.S. for their electricity?
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Californians pay 1.6 times the national average price for electricity, and PG&E’s customers pay double the national average. Brandon Rittiman explores why California's rates are so high, what’s going to drive them up even more, and what it means to household budgets of the 16 million people who live in PG&E’s monopoly turf.
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They should have interviewed someone in a 750 sqft apartment (rent is $2,100) paying $200 (for an electric bill) who hardly ever has the air on and when it is on it's set to 80. TAKING ADVANTAGE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
True. I am always at work or in bed on my phone. Bill is $220 this month. Absolutely insane.
Yea in my little apartment in Marysville CA it was consistently $300+ a month for a stupid 800 square foot apartment. PG&E is robbing everyone.
PG&E baseline power usage is a bad joke. It appears to cover just enough for a refrigerator, a couple of lights and a TV or a computer. Laundry, heating/ac etc. mean paying overage rates which are even higher. And now some cities have a 'green' program where they charge you even more, even if you do not use it. San Jose 2019 rates ~$0.23 / KWH, 2024: ~$0.50 base and $0.70/ kwh overage. This is robbery, plain and simple.
Do you believe that that newsom is worried about his energy usage or how to cut use without death, NO he gave US those problems as he dreams of giving every American those SAME PROBLEMS! Keeps all the uppity population busy. Run and don't look back.
@@tbarnum6315 I moved to Texas. 11c/KWhr, flat rate. If you want better government and a better quality of live, move here too, but vote Republican if you do, so you don't ruin it.
I'm a single mom, no child support, working full time and barely making above 40k a year...and I didn't qualify for their CARE program. And my electric bill last month was almost 800 bucks, which is half of my mortgage. How are we Californians supposed to pay these outrageous bills?!?!
move out.
I might add that the rate reductions in the CARE program certainly help those who are getting them BUT somebody has to pay the cost to provide the service, that means that the rate structure is adjusted to offset this loss of revenue and neighbors who don't qualify are paying more on behalf of those who do get the benefit. There is no free lunch, it's just of question of who picks up the bill. The rates of utilities are regulated but they do provide for a profit to the utility otherwise they'd sell off their assets and go into another business.
@henryostman5740 we did once. We moved to a different state thinking it would be cheaper. And after living there 3 years, we realized it was just as expensive, but in different ways. Housing may be cheaper, but each state finds a way to gouge the working poor.
It's Gavin Newsom and his five man appointed commission that are raising rates.
It's called polital corruption.
The more PG&E wast the more they can charge. PG&E charges 3x what I pay in Utah.
Yes. Our area pays 3 times over to DELIVER the power than the generation costs.
PG&E also contributes heavily to Gov. Newsom's campaign fund. Follow the money.
Sacramento residents were so fed up with PG&E that the residents voted for its own municipal electric utility governed by the people. We call it SMUD. Back in the early 2000s, YOLO County, the county next over, was attempted to be annexed by SMUD. PG&E pushed an aggressive campaign and fooled the voters not to be annexed by SMUD. Now they are paying with their votes. I live in Sacramento. My home is 2,300 sqft. On the hottest days at 100 degrees with my thermostat set to 79. My monthly bill from July to August is roughly $250 per month. Vote for a municipal electric company and kick out PG&E.
Excuse me, but. In Pleasanton you CAN choose another power source than PG/E. We did. It was almost exactly the same cost to generate the power, BUT THE PROBLEM IS:
PG/E delivers the power. SO, they charge 3 times the cost of generation. Nearly $0.50/K total.
Much better than PG&E but still High. I live in Austin 2700 sq/ft old house. we keep at 78 and I think our climate is slightly higher than Sac. We pay $130 to $150 in the summer.for 1200 to 1500 KwHrs
SMUD doesn't cover gas, but I agree that it is cheaper than PGE.
Wow 38 cents peak and 28 cents off peak!? Must be nice. We're paying 50 peak and 48 off peak. Thanks Bay Area!
The UNELECTED state Public Utilities Commission are the ones who are signing-off on PG&E's rate increases, THREE rate increases in the last year alone. The commissioners are appointed by the governor, are the generous campaign contributions by PG&E to state offices and to the legislature greasing the wheels for rate hikes? Many think the state is too chummy with PG&E and want to know more about the relationship but California state offices in Sacramento vehemently shuns transparency and has fought the release of documents, makes you wonder why?!
How can she live in a home like that and be low income?
Bought the house when it was cheaper, sometime after the 2008 crisis. Thats my guess, she probably pays less in mortgage then most renters, lol.
@@nemesiswes426crazy thing is electricity feels like it’s tripled from 2018 compared to now
If you make under 100k in california. You are considered poor.
@@tragicoalex7066This!
Everything seems like it’s doubled or tripled in price.
@@BetaBuxDelux pre covid my goobers pb&j was 1.99 walked into stater bros the other day 4.99
I absolutely hate PG&E
If I were burning up 3100 kwh every month, my bill would be high too!
EXACTLY!!!!
The CPUC keeps approving rate increases, which is ridiculous.
Do an update video
Over 3000 kWh per month for 3 people? It's crazy
She uses almost electricity in a month as we do in a year (with two people, also in PG&E territory, and that includes running the AC). I'm not a fan of PG&E, their prices, or their political tactics to protect their monopoly and gouge their customers, but she seems to be doing a lot of this to herself. There is either a major (correctable) insulation and home/heating & cooling problem, or something else is going on. (Crypto mining / neighbors stealing their electricity, paperwork snafu making her pay the gated community's electric bill for street lights)
@AlekseyOrekhov42 If you're using 3100 kw/hr in a year comes out to 260kw/hr a month. You must live in a shack where it's 65 year round.
The lady needs to downsize her home if possible. 3000 sq ft for 3 people? Regardless, PG&E shouldn't be increasing their prices like the liar CEO states. Pay to get the smart meter off your home. You will save money, even paying the penalty of having an analog meter.
PG&E is basically the state of California who also happens to run the power grid for the state in Rocklin, CA in a place called CA ISO. Why else would the state of CA want to ban natural gas when they already control the states power grid and claim "natural gas depletes the ozone" yet they were all good with natural gas in the 1970's and endorsed it with open arms. It's simply a mob run Government.
Everything is ridiculously expensive in California. And politicians in Sacramento are to blame. They just never want to admit it. And the Public Utilities Commission is in on the games.
I want to thank California for providing so much entertainment to the rest of America. The laughs are endless. And they don't come from Hollywood.
Called IBEU. People who get paid $200 to $300k to take their time. They get massive OT.
There should be more companies to choose from. Why arent politicians putting pressure on PG&E to lower prices??
Because the PUC lets them do whatever they want
This isn’t really a competition or innovation industry. It should be publicly owned and operated.
Welcome to corrupta-fornia!
Absolutely.Ihave southern California Edison Even with medical so call discount pricing my bill doubled since last year
Double ? Try 4 X higher than hundreds of other electric distribution utilities. In Nevada, their power rates start with a .06 cents per kWh in tier 1 and move to .08 cents per kWh in tier 2.
Southern CA Edison charges .26 cents per kWh and .34 cents in tier 2. So, in a month of power usage say 1,200 kWh's Nevada would charge about $96 and Southern CA Edison would be about $408 for the same amount of power ! How is that ? All power comes from the same sources and yes it will travel different distances to serve customers however, how is it that CA is entitled to that much more money when Nevada can operate just fine on profits from 8 cents ?
Something isn't right with CA...is that because of the State of California and their CA ISO power grid operation and their demanding focus on renewable energy sources ? Seems as though politics has entered the cost factors with power rates in CA and that the state is collecting sanctions from its people for power that is sold from nonrenewable generation plants. So, why is the state entitled to intervene with businesses who generate and sell power? It's like a huge tax burden on the public and where and what do they do with all of that money?
As far as the CPUC goes, they are also basically run by the Governor who just happens to run (or give orders to) CA ISO and so far, PG&E in how they operate. CPUC is not for the rate payers like it used to be 40 years ago...it's now closely run and managed by Governor appointed management with little education and experiences with power and gas utilities.
Newsome, CPUC and PG&E all have dinner together. Like George Carlin said: it’s one big club and we ain’t in it!
@@Gonecrazy666 Today, our power rates are 32 per kWh and 42 per kWh in tier 2 which everyone is in. Nevada still has their same rates, 6 and 8 cents per kWh.
Three thousand square foot home gated community, sorry I have no sympathy.
Why is a single mother a badge of honor in this country? As a single mother struggling to cool her 3000 sq ft house with a hot tub and 12 foot ceiling in a gated community. Well, we can all feel her pain. What about the guy paying the mortgage. Why is he not interviewed. Why is single motherhood a badge of honor really?. By the way, California's electricity is completely controlled by the state agencies and governor.
Twice as much, try three to four times as much, my July bill with 22 solar panels 2550sq ft home $1400.
Who could have predicted that when you privatize essential services, the companies will take advantage of the customers by price gouging and cutting costs to drive profits up?? NO WAY! The politicians with buddies in these companies sold this as the consumer getting better prices with a better service, but when you privatize anything all they do is try to drive profits up at the cost of the consumer. We NEED to nationalize essential services!
Single mom with 2 kids in a 3000 square foot house. Let me try and shed a tear...........................
More than twice for PGE. Paying more than 3 times now per kilowatt than the electric provider on other side of town. My bill last month was $1465 last month.
Mine was $1399.00 for a 1150 sq ft house in tracy. The government needs to break up the pg&e monopoly.
California PG&E customer tried to reduce his ‘really expensive’ energy bill, including turning his breakers off - but discovers he's been sent wrong bill for 18 years
Screwsome Grusome is to blamr
Thank their government, highest bill I have received in the summer was less than $150 for a month. EV included.
Politicans led by Newsome!
Corruption in California
They made a board game about them. Monopo-something.
Maybe because PG&E are constantly raising rates every year. Last year there were elderly people losing power and heat because they couldn't afford the $600 bill and now PG&E is saying rates are going even higher!
Why on earth would she continue to live in such a big house?! It makes no sense. Get a smaller, single story house, with shade trees in the yard, and ceiling fans in every room. And, YES, PGE needs to go!
Just realized this is 4 years old. Things havent gotten better.
How did she use 3100 kw/hrs in September? That's nuts! I remember using 1300 kw/hr in the summer in the central valley running my ac all night and day at 68f when it was 110 outside. All this in a 2500sq/ft house with vaulted ceilings.
Lives in $600,000 house....complains about unaffordable electric bill 🤦♀️
Rich people, they can afford it.... her house is probably $1.5 million and she is complaining about a $600 bill?
more like 500-600k
Well...PGE hasnt murdered anyone for a couple years, so theres that....
How do I get SMUD ?
Move to Sacramento county.
Hold onto your hat. Utilities are being privatized all over the country. It’s up to the people to demand government to not allow private equity in.
socal edison has doubled also! even with less electricity used im paying 2x as much as last year
PG&E added 18% in 2024 to replace wooden poles for metal. It’s going up in 2025 to replace Smart Meters. NOW they are considering Electricity and Gas based upon income. CalMatters has reported PG&E had a 25% profit. My 5:11 July 2024 was $770.00. With a Medical discount,1 person, 77yo, AC at 82,in 100+ temp, drying clothes on a clothes line, ceiling fans, …..
They are gouging us every which way they can! And it is a monopoly out here in CA. I never paid more than 250.( high usage months) for 30 years or so. Averaged 150-175. mostly. I nearly had a heart attack when my bill started hitting 800.!! And then I read my bill it was an “ estimate” bc they need to fix my smart meter but I wasn’t home a few months prior. They said they left a note at my door. Someone is always home usually and there was never a note at my door. Good thing I noticed the bill stated estimate. So got them to fix it and everything since then the bill never went down and hovered between 660-800.!!! I am careful with usage and we don’t use it between 5-8 pm which has made a little difference now, but that is when everyone comes home and does everything! We are paying for their wildfire fines!
Please redo this video.
Over 4 years since it was made over went from 22 to 50 cents.
Smud did not
It's only gotten worse
0:30 she lives in a 3000 ft house, has a hot tub and two cars and she gets a discount because she decided to be a baby mama and I kept my family together in a smaller place with no hot tub and I subsidize her discount????
4:17 She said it
Edison has also gone up double in the last couple of years mine was 522 this month on a condo about 1000 ft.² and I get a discount like the woman on here but it was still $324
You missed a small item, investor owned utilities have to pay TAXES that munis don't pay. There is a tax on every telephone pole in the system, every wire, etc. all of these taxes add up. And utilities pay income tax on their earnings to both the state and the federales. The there is the cost to provide service, a municipal power agency serves the community while large utilities have to serve their entire region so inside a community there might be 50 customers for every mile of wire while out in the hinterlands they are lucky to get five, in many cases it is less than one. Having all of these customers close together reduces costs dramatically and the need to run wires far into the countryside increases the risk of being involved in forest fires, a big problem in CA. Lastly the utilities are highly unionized and that means that they have to pay their employees more, often a lot more. I might add an example from far away, the utility that served most of Long Island in NY was in financial trouble and was taken over by a municipal authority, when the towns, villages, school districts, and the counties realized the tax implications they insisted as part of the deal that payment 'in lieu of taxes' be included in the deal, this payment is as large as the taxes formerly paid and electric rates on LI are higher than most other areas of the state, even NYC. Glad I don't live there anymore.
Heh, this was four years ago, they had no idea what PGE would do to us since then! $0.22/kwh is half of today's price!
I got solar, my pge Bill is $0 for electric, $12 for gas. I get about $40 back every year for the extra power I generate.
The solar payment was way less than my electric bill was. I paid it off.
So what do you pay for the solar? Like do you lease or did you buy the panels/system? How much was it total? At one point it will even out and then surpass paying electric bills but like if it does so after 20 years, I hear you will have to replace it in 20 years? So given our ages it may not be worthwhile, we cannot recoup the costs.
@@ellenm2873 I bought it. I paid 24k for the solar, but I got $8400 back as a tax rebate. I put that towards the principle balance on the solar loan and it reduced my monthly. payment
I initially got the solar company loan. It was like 6% but a 30 year loan.. my payment was $150 a month when my electric bill in the summer was $400
I would make the payment then throw an additional $50-$100 to principle and after 5 years my balance only went down about $2500. So when I refied during COVID when rates were nearing 2%, I switched to a 15 year fixed mortgage and I also pulled out just enough to pay the solar loan. So with my rate going from 3.75% down to 2.7% but switching to a 15 year loan and paying off the solar my payment went up a few hundred a month.
This video was 4 years ago. PG&E is still ripping people off.
That's a big house.
Voted for socialist policies this is what you get
Someone has to pay for socialist programs usually it’s always the poor
PG&E increses every month or even twice a month. I am in a 1000 sq ft house with air it is over $200 a month with air its between $400 and $500 a month.
This utility should be turned into a not for profit type utility and ran with strict adherence to keeping the executive level lean as possible.
Secondly, the cost to generate and distribute power does not cost as much as all you people have to pay.
Theyre crooks
Oh .. and NOTICE that the prine expensive times arent whilee businesses are open, it's when we get home from work now 4-9pm. Right during dinner and getting laundry done for the next day, etc
This needs an update.
I use 400 kWh with a pc running everyday, sometimes a fan no ac. House has no insulation so I feel all the heat and all the cold.
Shes living outside her income level. California dreamer
When you plug your car in State will get the revenue lost from the gasoline taxes.
How does she use 3K kWh in one month? And only $0.30/kWh? On a tiered plan, she should be paying more than double that.
A single mom with 2 kids in a 3,000 sq ft gated community home and ur complaining about high electric bill???
Try living in Arizona, we have APS which is for profit and SRP which is subsidized by the government.
We are paying for their mistakes😮 who doesn’t want PGE GONE!?!?
Someone should be able to sue someone
I live in an 8000 sq foot house in the Hollywood hills and pay 18 k a month in electricity. If you can’t afford it … time to move
We should have a choice. Competition creates lower prices.
Perhaps, she needs to downsize the home and get one she can afford.
True but don’t deflect from the massive corruption engaged by Newsom and PG&E.
SHE is using OVER 3100 kWh in ONE MONTH!!! She’s NUTS!!
Y do Cali ppl keep kicking a dead horse? Look at who u put in charge!
Maybe check on cali senators and any officials, Epa, if the have stock in pg&e. Then sue for conflict of interest.
It’s special “woke” electricity
It IS actually special woke electricity. California requires utilities to hit minimum amounts of renewable energy, so the higher cost of building out those (intermittent) renewables get captured back from consumers in the form of higher rates .
lol even smud is 14c kWh. Omaha has 10.48c kWh in the summer and 8.63c kWh after summer
It’s .38 now and up to second tier is .48 and up 56 cent the more you use. I have pge
Politicians and broker middle men who get a percentage in commission. It's public information.
burn it all down , ours was 1147 $ this month how is this sustainable , its half our mortage payment for a utility bill insane wild
Lol she has a 3000 sq house and crying about her electric bill? She needs to downsize to a smaller home, before she cries about her electric bill.
That's why they froze my assets. I haven't had a power bill in almost 4 years
I don't blame her comment 1,500,00 3000 square foot house
Unplug your cybertruck
Let's not fool are selfs. There is nothing we can do to pge. They have a monopoly. Bottom line when you can only choose one company they charge what they want. Politicians are the ones that help them and they get cashed out for it. It's the American way take every dollar you can from us peasants. That amount of profits they make is simply staggering.
You can just move elsewhere. This lady needs to move down the street, get a smaller place to live, or leave the state completely.
That’s what mine is too
You are quick to blame investors, but investor run power companies outside CA don't have to comply with green policies that force unreliable & intermittent sources that are the parasite on the underlying host such as nuclear, hydro or fossil fueled generation. Until you address this in your reporting, prices will continue to skyrocket for the average consumer and the migration to states with more sane policies will follow. The insurance industry is yet another example of over-regulation leading to a shortage of options and spiraling costs. In the end, these are government forced monopolies due to policy mandates.
SDG&E is also killing there customers
NEWSOME/PGE/LEGESLATORS ARE WHY!
Its greed.
Cries in 2024. 😭
Greed pure and simple remember Enron they showed all the others how to do it.
Hah, I just noticed that this video is from 4 years ago. It's much worse now.
Laughs in 2023
California is there fro comic relief .
Poor baby you rich B
Pay up
No joy living in California. No thank you.
Approved by government regulators? 😂
😂😂😂😂 CA voters... Take it and like it.
Yvonne Ferry
Cause we live in a blue state.
😅😂 they want everything wind solar by 2032
Why is she in 3k sq ft for 3 people?
Go green. Go broke