DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A significant electricity rate increase for Southern California Edison (SCE) customers is set to take effect next month, and residents across the Coachella Valley are bracing for higher bills — particularly during the region’s energy-intensive heat.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved a nearly 10% rate increase for SCE customers. While the utility says the added revenue is necessary to support critical infrastructure upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and day-to-day operations, many local customers like Sean Taylor say the hike couldn’t come at a worse time.
“It’s ridiculous. It’s not affordable for the average person… It’s really going to impact them daily — I mean everyone is living pay check to pay check as it is. We got the increase with the water, the power, the gas is going to go up.”…