Knowledge Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about electricity rates, energy alternatives, and how to take control of your power costs.
About SDG&E Rates
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. See the full rate comparison →
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.
Energy Alternatives
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. Explore your options →
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. SDG&E assigns default rate plans that may not match your usage — if you've added solar, an EV, or changed your habits, your optimal plan may have changed.
Taking Action
Start by making sure you're on the best rate plan for your usage. 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.
About This Site
No. 'The Sovereign Individual' is about wealthy people using technology to escape taxes, regulations, and obligations to their communities. PowerSov is the opposite: using technology and collective action so communities can escape corporate extraction. They use 'sovereignty' to mean freedom FROM the collective. We use it to mean democratic control OF shared resources. They want the rich to opt out. We want everyone to benefit. One is libertarian techno-feudalism. The other is energy democracy.