SCE rate increase draws concern from Coachella Valley residents
Luis Avila
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A significant electricity rate increase for Southern California Edison (SCE) customers is set to take effect next month, and residents across the Coachella Valley are bracing for higher bills — particularly during the region’s energy-intensive heat.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved a nearly 10% rate increase for SCE customers. While the utility says the added revenue is necessary to support critical infrastructure upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and day-to-day operations, many local customers like Sean Taylor say the hike couldn’t come at a worse time.
“It’s ridiculous. It’s not affordable for the average person… It’s really going to impact them daily — I mean everyone is living pay check to pay check as it is. We got the increase with the water, the power, the gas is going to go up.”
Sean Taylor, Desert Hot Springs Resident
Even with solar, Taylor has been forced to scale back usage, limiting central air conditioning and relying instead on a single window unit to cool his bedroom overnight.
According to the CPUC, the new rate increase will cost the average Southern California household an additional $17 per month, or about $200 per year. But in hot-weather regions like the Coachella Valley — where electricity consumption tends to be much higher — the impact is expected to be more severe.
“If we didn’t run the solar, it would be around $250 a month at least.”
Sean Taylor, Desert Hot Springs Resident
For example, a typical Palm Springs household using around 1,800 kilowatt hours currently pays approximately $759. With the 10% increase, that same household would see their monthly bill rise by about $75 in the summer months.
Still, for some valley residents, the rate hike represents more than just an added expense — it’s a grim reality.
Experts suggest looking into energy-saving programs or income-based assistance programs.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.