California has the second-highest electricity rates in the nation. That’s led to mounting frustration among residents and policymakers alike.
Recently, though, California utility executives have been touting a drop in rates, and labeling them as affordability wins. That’s not the whole story, according to Linda Serizawa.
In order to raise their rates, energy companies need to ask the California Public Utilities Commission for permission. And as director of the Public Advocates Office, an independent branch of the commission, Serizawa’s job is to represent electricity customer interests when this happens.
Between January 2014 and March 2026, all three of California’s investor-owned utilities increased their rates by far more than inflation, which was 39 percent. Pacific Gas & Electric raised their rates by 93 percent, Southern California Edison by 97 percent, and San Diego Gas & Electric by 117 percent.
