"California's Soaring Electricity Prices and Consumer Protection Concerns Highlighted by Auditor"

California's electricity prices have surged in the past three years, increasing nearly three times faster than the Consumer Price Index. Energy Toolbase's analysis found that the state's electricity inflation averaged 15.3% from 2020 to 2023, compared to a modest 1.6% inflation over the previous six years. Retail electricity bills from California's major utilities rose by at least 47% over a nine-year period, with San Diego Gas & Electric experiencing a spike of 104%. The study identified fuel and energy costs, demand shifts, regulatory changes, and infrastructure maintenance as major drivers of the price increases.