The dreariness of 'May gray' hangs in the air, but soon enough people will be turning on their fans to fend off the heat. And as the temperature rises, so will electric bills. As early as next year, though, the increase won't be so pronounced for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric. At least, that's the goal of a new approach to electricity rates adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission.
' The flat rate has been criticized by lawmakers and leaders of the Stop the Big Utility Tax coalition, who say fee will hurt customers who live in small homes and use less electricity. Customers who use a comparatively large amount of electricity every month will see the most benefits. 'These include customers that live in hotter climate zones that use electricity for air conditioning, households with many residents and electric car owners,' Flannelly said.