PG&E tells Madera council customers should see large bill decreases later this year

Nathan Alonso, Pacific Gas and Electric’s local government affairs representative, told the Madera City Council on Jan. 14 that residential electric and gas customers should see significant decreases to bills in coming months as wildfire-related collection costs and other infrastructure investments phase out.

"Customers will see anywhere between a 35% decrease, over the course of the next several months," Alonso said during public comment, explaining the reductions result from collections for wildfire efforts and other infrastructure investments "rolling off the bills." He added that PG&E is also upgrading three substations that provide capacity to the city and expects some of those projects to conclude in the middle of the year.

Alonso framed the reductions as part of PG&E’s broader efforts to lower customer costs where possible, including renegotiating contracts and sunsetting programs, while also stressing the company’s ongoing work to maintain electric capacity for the city.

No action by the council was requested or taken in response to the remarks. Alonso said he was providing an update and contact point for ongoing coordination with the city.