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SDG&E Says Upcoming Rate Hikes Aren't Related To San Onofre Plant Closure

ALISO VIEJO (CBSLA.com) — Orange County residents are outraged over upcoming hikes to their utility bills following the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Laguna Hills resident Felicia Berschauer received a letter from San Diego Gas & Electric, which stated that by September, her electric bill will spike—up $15 for bills around $100 and up $75 for bills around $250.

"I already pay, when it's not summer, over $300. When we hit summer, it's over $600," Berschauer said, adding, "I am really upset because once again they're hitting middle class people, and it doesn't seem fair."

"While the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has created an untimely reduction in our region's energy resources, we have taken steps to ensure a reliable supply of energy for the region," Jessie Knight, CEO of SDG&E, wrote in the letter.

CBS2's Stacey Butler said a spokesperson with SDG&E told her the rate hike has nothing to do with the San Onofre shutdown and they've been planning the increase for more than a year.

Laguna Hills resident Craig Talbot has already filed a complaint with the power company.

"It's insane. It's going to drive jobs out, it's gonna drive costs up, it's gonna close companies, it's going to have really, really adverse, unintended consequences on our economy," he said.

On Tuesday, a consumer advocate division of the California Public Utilities Commission filed a motion to make sure utility companies, not consumers, pay the cost of the seaside plant's closure.

RELATED STORY:

Motion: Utility Customers Shouldn't Have To Pay For San Onofre Shutdown

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