SoCalGas official briefs El Centro council on two CPUC filings and tools residents can use to manage bills
Loading...
Summary
A SoCalGas representative explained two CPUC notices — one tied to renewable natural gas production (SB 1383) and another to pipeline integrity work — and outlined customer programs and online tools residents can use to monitor and manage gas bills.
Deborah McGarry, public affairs manager for Southern California Gas Co., briefed the El Centro City Council on Oct. 21 about two notices the company filed with the California Public Utilities Commission and about tools and assistance programs available to customers.
McGarry said the first notice relates to renewable natural gas (RNG) work required under state law (SB 1383) and a biomethane pilot project. SoCalGas sought CPUC approval to recover cost overruns from that earlier project; if approved the utility estimated the effect on an average residential bill using 36 therms would be about $0.12 and, if approved, the charge would be recoverable for one year and could take effect in 2026.
The second filing covers distribution integrity and pipeline replacement work that SoCalGas said also experienced cost increases. McGarry said if that request is approved it would add approximately $0.72 to an average 36‑therm monthly bill for one year, again contingent on CPUC approval with potential effective date in 2026.
McGarry emphasized that these filings are applications to the CPUC, not final orders. She explained three bill components: transportation (the regulated cost to deliver gas), the commodity (a monthly market price that fluctuates), and public purpose or CARE discounts. She told the council the commodity price has fallen year‑over‑year (an 8.4% decline the presenter cited) and read the October 2025 commodity at roughly $0.313 per therm (about $0.32/therm).
On customer tools and assistance, McGarry described advanced meters that record gas flow multiple times per day and SoCalGas’s My Account portal where customers can view near‑real‑time usage and sign up for alerts, level pay plans, CARE discounts (20% for eligible customers) and other rebate and efficiency programs. She urged residents having difficulty paying bills to contact SoCalGas to arrange payment plans and one‑time assistance.
McGarry said customers can submit comments to the CPUC on the filings using the instructions in SoCalGas’s mailed notices. The council did not take a formal vote on the presentation.
A council member asked several clarifying questions about how the average‑bill figures are computed and the presenter confirmed the $0.12 was the estimated change to the monthly bill for the stated average usage if the CPUC approves the application; McGarry also confirmed the commodity price is a separate, market‑driven pass‑through.
No formal action followed the briefing.
