Guest column: Charge on SDG&E bill is a discriminatory tax
By Christine Stenstrom
My husband and I have been residents of Poway for nearly 21 years. During that time, we have seen our San Diego Gas & Electric bill steadily rise. In reviewing our billings from 2004-2014, the electric charges clearly have bolted to an inexplicable justification for the unreasonable charges, most particularly the state-mandated Public Purpose Programs (PPP).
Currently, on an average monthly basis, our electricity generation charge is $158.80; distribution charge is $226.36; transmission charge is $49.64 and miscellaneous charges are $15.60. However, the most egregious charge, of $276.30, is for the PPP. The total monthly charges amount to $726.70 plus our “reasonable” gas charges. PPP is 38 percent of the total electrical charges.
From 2004 to June 2008, the PPP charge was approximately $14. In June of 2008, the PPP charge jumped to $69.03. In November 2008 the PPP charge jumped to $126.46. In December 2009 the PPP charge skyrocketed to $242.92 and is now $276.30. This is incomprehensible because the amount for PPP does not make any sense with respect to the kWh usage, or the actual energy cost, and promotes confusion over how these costs are determined
In 2004, the definition of PPP was: “This charge pays for state-mandated programs, such as low-income and energy efficiency programs.” In February 2009 the definition of PPP changed to: “This charge reflects the costs of certain state-mandated programs (such as low-income and energy efficiency programs) and includes the rate subsidies required by legislation and applied to residential usage up to 130% of Baseline allowances. The associated rate capping subsidy amounts applicable to usage up to 130% of Baseline allowances are tracked and charged by means of adders to residential energy rates for usage in excess of 130% of Baseline allowances, as reflected in the TRAC component.”
The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approves the fee structure. Also there is a “watch dog” group UCAN. Quite obviously neither of these groups have gone to the defense of the homeowners. No one is looking out for the so-called “high energy users,” who are being forced to pay almost the entire cost for the mandatory higher cost “green energy” the state legislature has forced upon us. Moreover, the so-called “high energy users,” are also being forced to subsidize the low-income users of electricity.
In addition, according to respectable websites, SDG&E has either the highest or second highest rates in the U.S.
An incomprehensible complex set of algorithms and tier structures cannot obscure the real purpose in that the PPP is in reality a discriminatory “tax” in disguise.