The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday could grant PG&E’s request to increase the average household bill by 26 percent.

The money would be used to bury PG&E lines to reduce the for-profit utilities’ exposure to wildfire liability.

Here’s is what is at stake for the average PG&E customer:

*What PG&E originally wanted was a 26 percent increase, or $56 a month for the average customer.
*What PG&E is now seeking is almost an 18 percent increase, or $38.73 a month for the average customer.

*The maximum proposal the California Public Utilities Commission indicated last month they’d consider was nearly a 13 percent increase or $28 a month for the average customer.

*The lowest proposal the CPUC has put forth is more than a 9 percent increase, or $24 a month for the average customer.

The figures were calculated by PG&E, CPUC and The Utility Reform Network.

“I’m all for PG&E making safety upgrades, but they can’t keep increasing our bills to pay for it,” said Congressman Josh Harder, who as a Tracy resident also must deal with PG&E bills that are already among the highest in the nation.

“Utility bills are skyrocketing and our families can’t afford another rate hike. This is getting ridiculous,” Harder added. “If PG&E can afford to pay their CEO over $50 million, they can afford to keep our families safe without ratcheting up prices again. Enough is enough.” 

 Harder is among a number of elected leaders that have submitted letters to the CPUC urging them not to approve the rate hikes as requested by PG&E.