Riverbank residents urge council to explore switching away from PG&E amid rising bills

Several Riverbank residents used the public-comment period on March 12 to urge the City Council to investigate alternatives to Pacific Gas & Electric, citing sharply rising bills and asking the council to petition the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to consider moving the area to Modesto Irrigation District (MID) or to explore a community choice aggregation (CCA).

"I paid $319 for that electricity for that bill," Michelle Morgan said, describing a personal bill she said was for 674 kilowatt-hours and noting she previously worked for a local irrigation district that managed a successful provider shift. "If I had been with MID, my bill would have been $135." Morgan told the council that she and other residents, including many on fixed incomes, are struggling with current rates and asked the city to look into options.

Bridal Landeros, who said she has lived in Riverbank for 60 years, told the council her PG&E bills have been "ridiculous," sometimes $400'$500 a month. Another resident, Gregory McHale, said his bill rose roughly 70% year over year while he used less electricity.

Mayor and council members acknowledged the problem and suggested several options: petitioning the CPUC to change the service provider, studying a CCA arrangement, or examining the community's eligibility for MID service. Council members said staff should return with options and that some council members would help petition the CPUC.

The mayor also noted the transition processes can be lengthy and involve costs (for example, pole ownership or transition fees) and that the city does not control utility rates directly. Staff and council members committed to researching possibilities and bringing options back to the council for further discussion.