Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego pays among the highest electricity rates in the nation. SDG&E operates as a for-profit monopoly with guaranteed returns for shareholders. This profit-driven model, combined with expensive transmission infrastructure and executive compensation, results in rates far higher than those charged by non-profit utilities.

In 2024, SDG&E reported approximately $891 million in profit. That's over $2.4 million extracted from San Diego customers every single day.

Non-profit utilities like Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) charge residential customers approximately one-third of what SDG&E charges for the same electricity consumption.

CPUC projections show SDG&E rates increasing approximately 10% annually. These increases fund shareholder returns, executive compensation, wildfire liability costs, and expensive transmission infrastructure projects.

Options include municipal utilities (like SMUD or LADWP), community choice aggregators (like San Diego Community Power), rooftop solar with battery storage, and community solar programs. Each has different benefits and limitations.

SDCP is a community choice aggregator that procures electricity for participating customers. However, SDG&E still owns the poles and wires and charges delivery fees that make up a significant portion of your bill. SDCP provides clean energy but limited rate relief.

Very common. In California, 46 out of 49 electric utilities are publicly owned. Nationally, about 2,000 public power utilities serve communities across America. They consistently deliver lower rates than investor-owned utilities.

Yes. Choosing the right rate plan for your usage pattern can save hundreds of dollars per year. Our free Bill Review tool analyzes your actual usage and identifies the best plan for your household.

Our free tool analyzes your actual SDG&E usage data from your bill PDFs and compares costs across all available rate plans. It identifies which plan would be cheapest based on your specific usage patterns.

Yes. All bill processing happens locally in your browser or in-memory on our servers. We don't store your bills or personal information. Your data is never saved to any database.

The tool uses your actual hourly usage data from SDG&E bills and applies current published rate schedules. Results reflect what you would actually pay on each plan based on real usage.

SDG&E assigns default rate plans that may not match your usage patterns. If you've added solar, an EV, or changed your habits, your optimal plan may have changed. Many customers save $200-500 annually by switching to the right plan.

Start by using our Bill Review tool to find the best rate plan. Consider solar and battery storage if suitable for your home. Shift high-energy activities to off-peak hours. Support policies that promote energy competition and community control.

Stay informed about energy policy decisions, attend public meetings, contact your city council members about utility issues, and spread awareness about monopoly utility practices.

Supporting local solar development, promoting energy storage, reforming CPUC rate-setting practices, and exploring community-owned utility alternatives could all contribute to lower rates.