KPBS San Diego published an article on February 21, 2012 about the Utility Consumers Action Network (UCAN) claims that SDG&E wants to retroactively impose a rate increase on customers. This rate increase would offset the damages suffered by SDG&E in the 2007 wildfires.
The burn areas for the 2007 wildfires are shown on the map below in red.
The article—written by Dwane Brown, Megan Burke, Maureen Cavanaugh and Joanne Faryon—had the following to say:
"State investigators determined San Diego Gas & Electric was responsible for several fires—including Witch Creek, the second largest fire in state history.
UCAN attorney David Peffer said customers may be on the hook to pay the $463 million liability cost.
"For the average rate payer it means higher bills, because the total cost of the wildfires have yet to be determined. And if there are future wildfires and this passes this could mean literally unlimited liability absorbed by rate payers," he said.
Peffer said based on the cost per meter, it works out to about $356 more a year for an average utility customer."
SDG&E disagrees with UCAN's claims and thinks they have their facts wrong.
Here is a 7 minute 19 second video of an interview by Joanne Faryon with SDG&E spokesperson Stephanie Donovan about the 2007 wildfires' impact on electricity prices. You might want to refresh your coffee before pushing play.
You may read the KPBS article at "Group Claims SDG&E Wants To Retroactively Charge Customers For 2007 Wildfire Liability".
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