Some PG and E customers will see some modest rate increases on their March bills. For customers who use about 500 kilowatt hours a month, the increase will be 2 dollars and 29 cents. Company spokesperson Jio Shingledecker says a major change in their rate structure was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission…

click to listen to Jio Shingledecker

Shingledecker says PG and E’s rate tier system has been reduced from four to three and will be eventually consolidated into two tiers in the next four years. Using more energy pushes customers into higher tiers, which increases their rates. She says they’re also eliminating their residential Time of Use rate to new customers, starting in May…

click to listen to Jio Shingledecker

But low-income customers using the Alternate Rates for Energy program will see a drop of 76-cents on their bills. The Public Utilities Commission regulates PG and E’s profits and these rate adjustments won’t mean more money for the company, according to Shingledecker.