Edison Seeks to Call Off Rate Hike

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Southern California Edison is seeking to cut its electrical rates for businesses and put off a scheduled rate increase for residential customers, citing unexpected revenue gains during last summer’s heat wave.


The Rosemead-based utility said that it is proposing to the California Public Utilities Commission that a residential rate hike scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 be eliminated, while rates for three categories of businesses be lowered. Small- and medium-sized businesses would see rates fall to 15 cents per kilowatt hour from 15.7 cents; rates for large companies would fall to 11 cents per kilowatt hour from 11.9 cents; and rates for agricultural users would drop to 11.1 cents per kilowatt hour from 11.3 cents.


Edison had said it needed a higher rate structure to help offset the costs of infrastructure improvements the company plans to make. However, Edison advised regulators Wednesday that the improvements can carry on without the increases because of greater-than-expected revenue generated during the summer.


“The past year has been a very difficult one for many of our customers because of higher utility costs and rates,” said Lynda Ziegler, an Edison spokeswoman. “As a result, we are especially pleased to provide some good rates news during this holiday season.”

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