ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Roseville Electric Utility says it's proposing rate increases for the next two years. If the two increases are approved, customers will be paying 18% more on their electric bills by 2025 than they're paying today.
According to Erin Fyre, a spokesperson for Roseville Electric, the utility is proposing two 9% rate increases across all customer classes. If both are approved, this would end up being about $24 more a month for the average residential customer in 2025, according to Frye.
The utility says these increases are due to "skyrocketing fuel prices, increased operating costs including materials and labor, renewable energy compliance regulations, and a loss of lease revenue from the state," according to its website.
If approved, the first 9% increase would go into effect June 1, 2024, and the second 9% increase would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. By 2025, rates could increase 18% from what customers are paying at the start of 2024.
The temporary 8% energy surcharge that was approved in 2022 would become a permanent base rate increase in 2025 as part of this proposal. Customers have been paying this amount since the start of 2023, according to Frye.
How will this impact my bill?
Frye says an average residential customer can expect a $12 increase in their monthly bill for the first 9% increase, so it would take an average $130 monthly bill to $142.
With the second 9% increase, this would bring the rate up another $12, to an average of about $154 a month.
What is the timeline for the rate increase?
Frye says the utility is doing community outreach through the middle of February and then will present its recommendations to the Roseville Public Utilities Commission at the end of February.
The utility would go to the city council for approval in March and if approved, the first proposed rate change would go into effect June 1, 2024.
Workshop Dates
Two virtual workshops and one in-person workshop are happening for people to ask questions and get more information on the proposal.
- January 4, 2024, at 6 p.m. on Microsoft Teams Live: Meeting Link
- January 25, 2024, at 6 p.m. on Microsoft Teams Live: Meeting Link
- February 8, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Roseville Electric Customer Service Center 116 S. Grant St., Roseville
Electric Rate Assistance Program
Frye says the utility offers a program offsetting 15% of the monthly electric service on their utility bill, which is called the Electric Rate Assistance Program. Frye says under the current proposal, customers enrolled in the program would also get a $15 monthly credit to help offset the proposed increases.
To qualify, someone must be a current Roseville Electric customer and fall under a specific combined household income based on the household size.
So for a one to two-person household, the combined household income must be less than $39,440. For a three-person household, it would be $49,720, and for a four-person household, it would be $60,000. Find an application and more information on applying HERE.
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