Brrrrr, it's freezing outside… in Los Angeles! But don't worry East Coasters, we may have thin blood but our SoCal Gas bills are causing our blood to boil! Our SoCal Gas bills have arrived and they're on average 2-4 times the normal rate, leaving many of us feeling the heat financially. Why is my utility bill so high? At Single Lady Estates® have got your back. We've put together a guide on how to make sure your SoCal Gas bills are correct, so you can stay warm without breaking the bank.
Step 1: Analyze your last bill. The first step in understanding your SoCal Gas bill is to take a closer look at your last bill. Look at your baseline terms, then your over baseline therms used. This will give you a better idea of how much you're paying for your gas usage.
Step 2: Ask CPUC/SCG how your baseline is established. Unfortunately, even the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and SoCal Gas (SCG) don't seem to know how the baseline is established. This is why it's important to ask these organizations how your baseline is determined, so you can have a better understanding of how your bill is calculated.
Step 3: Look at your commodity rate going up 128%. One of the biggest red flags to look out for is a significant increase in your commodity rate. In this case, it's gone up 128%. This is a significant increase and it's important to file a complaint with the CPUC and ask SCG for a receipt to see where this increase is coming from.
Step 4: Get your fellow SoCal Gas customers to file complaints too. Together, we can make the CPUC conduct an investigation. The more people that file complaints, the more likely the CPUC is to take action and investigate the issue.
Step 5: Write a letter to your State Senator and State Assemblymember. It's important to make sure that your representatives are aware of the issue and are working to represent you, not just SCG. You might want to request a meeting with them (include the neighborhood, perhaps) which will provides the opportunity to voice concerns and discuss potential solutions.
This process is not just limited to SoCal Gas customers. At Single Lady Estates, we believe that this process can provide a great template for utility bills wherever you call home. No matter where you live, it's important to stay informed about your utility bills and understand how they're calculated. Just use the above steps as a template if they don’t apply directly. This will help you understand that you're paying fair prices for your gas usage and help to hold the utility companies accountable.
So, let's ALL bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and get to work!
