SDG&E announces new electric rate structure for customers

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – San Diego Gas & Electric announced Friday a transition to a new electric rate structure, which will begin showing up on customer bills this month. 

According to SDG&E, the structure has three tiers instead of the previous four, which was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. By Spring of 2016, the three tiers will be reduced to two. 

"This is the first step in providing more fairness and transparency in utility bills for all customers,” said Caroline Winn, chief energy delivery officer at SDG&E. "We want people to understand the changes to how they are billed and also how they can manage their energy costs.”

Most residential customers who pay online will receive a video link this month and next month to help them understand the changes to their bill introduced by the new rate structure.

Customers can also visit www.sdge.com/ratereform to learn more about the changes still to come.

SDG&E said customers will see gradual changes to their electric bills over the next five years.

Winn said utility bills could be higher this month because of the heat.