Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Opposed to latest PG&E rate hikes

I oppose the proposed rate increases by Pacific Gas and Electric. As a monopoly, PG&E continues to price gouge without competition.

The public understands the need and responsibility of upgrading a declining infrastructure, but to say that these rate increases have been set in motion to satisfy a safety obligation is misleading. Older neighborhoods have never been upgraded as we continue to suffer utility outages during summer and during storms. Ask a PG&E service tech why, and the answer is consistent – the cost.

PG&E makes pure profit without having to divert any of it toward paying down their debts and specifically their million-dollar lawsuits. To expect their customers to reimburse them for their negligence is outrageous.

PG&E is guaranteed a minimum 11.35 percent profit by state law. Most areas serviced by PG&E pay some of the highest electrical rates in the state and the nation. PG&E leadership needs to re-examine its primary mission statement. I believe it’s been lost in corruption and greed.

Vernie Rogers, Fresno

This story was originally published July 16, 2016 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Opposed to latest PG&E rate hikes."

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