Central Coast families react to PG&E rates increase

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- PG&E customers will have their rates increase by about 13 percent starting January 1st, 2024.

According to information from PG&E, rates are expected to go up by about 13%.

It's a move that has drawn mixed reaction from people in Pacific Grove who have grown frustrated with multiple outages that have taken place so far in their community.

PG&E will be using the money to underground 1,230 miles of powerlines and put covered conductors on 778.

"If they're hiking the rates to put the power lines underground, I think that's a great idea. Power lines underground are going to mitigate fires and power outages," said Susan Lindsay of Pacific Grove.

Previous reports from PG&E showed some plans to underground lines in places like Santa Cruz County, where the CZU fire destroyed hundreds of homes and left the county in a recovery mode even three years after the fire sparked.

“Not happy of course [about PG&E rates going up], but of course I understand they need to underground those lines to help stop the fires," said Ann McElyea of Pacific Grove.

PG&E said customer bills will vary depending where they live, how much energy is used and the rate plan they're under.

Rates will take effect January 1, 2024 but some customers may not see a change to their bill until February.