MAY 7, San Diego — Advocates rallied outside Sempra Energy headquarters today, blasting SDG&E’s skyrocketing energy rates and profits while San Diego families struggle to keep up with bills. Protesters waved signs reading “lower our bills” and chanting “SDG&E profits, they’re for who? Not for me and not for you!”

This rally came as Sempra released its first-quarter earnings report showing $1 billion in profits, including $269 million from SDG&E. At the same time, SDG&E currently has six active rate increase proposals pending that would add another $3.47 billion in costs to customers.

“Families don’t pay SDG&E’s rates just once; we pay them over and over again, first in our utility bill, then again in the cost of our food and household essentials. Our families are paying SDG&E rates at every turn.” — Anthony Dang, Policy and Community Outreach Manager, Climate Action Campaign.

As protesters gathered outside the company’s downtown headquarters, passing drivers honked in support of demands to “Fire SDG&E” and transition to public power, a nonprofit utility model used by communities across California. The advocates also called for statewide action to cap excessive profits and lower energy bills for families. Anthony Dang added, “This is the moment for local leaders to act,” urging cities to support the state in lowering energy costs.

“The for-profit monopoly model is working exactly as intended: SDG&E is extracting wealth from our communities while San Diegans struggle for basic needs. Every single dollar of profit that SDG&E extracts from us while San Diegans can’t pay their rent, can’t put food on the table, and can’t keep up with utility bills, is a tragedy.” — Tyler Andre, Advisory Board Member at Public Power.