CALIFORNIA, USA — The Roseville city council approved an 18% increase in Roseville Electric rates Wednesday that will go into effect in two phases.
The first of the two 9% increases will go into effect June 1, 2024, with the second one taking effect Jan. 1, 2025. The 18% increase comes as the 8% surcharge implemented Feb. 1, 2023, becomes permanent Jan. 1, 2025.
This means, as of 2025, Roseville Electric customers will be paying 26% more than they were two years prior.
"We will all feel this. It doesn't mean we're not thankful for this service, but it's just the reality that we're in and as much as we don't want to do it, I do support what we're doing this evening," Vice Mayor Krista Bernasconi said at an April 3 city council meeting where the first reading was approved.
Without adjusting rates, Roseville Electric Utility said the increase in energy costs has created challenges.
"Without taking action on rates, the utility's projected net cash flow stands to be negative $30.5 million in FY2024-25 and negative $48 million in FY2025-26," according to city council documents.
"The proposed rates keep Roseville Electric rates on par with SMUD. This includes the approved SMUD rate increases through 2025. The proposed rate increases keep Roseville Electric at approximately 50% of PG&E and in a year our customers saved $230 million compared to PG&E rates," Dan Beans, the director of Roseville Electric, said at a previous meeting.
Roseville Electric Utility said it recognizes this increase could impact low-income customers. Residents qualifying for the Electric Rate Assistance Program get a 15% discount on their monthly electric service. There will also be a $15 monthly credit for customers enrolled in the program.
The average monthly bill as of June 1, 2024, would be $142, and on Jan. 1, 2025, the average monthly bill would be $154, according to Roseville Electric.
Electric Rate Assistance Program
The utility currently offers a program offsetting 15% of the monthly electric service on their utility bill, which is called the Electric Rate Assistance Program. A spokesperson previously said 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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