San Diego, July 22, 2025—In a major win for San Diego ratepayers, the City voted to support a sweeping package of state bills aimed at slashing utility bills and reining in monopoly utility abuse.

With this vote, the City of San Diego is sending a clear message: the days of unchecked rate hikes and skirting accountability are over.

San Diego is taking a stand for affordability, fairness, and transparency by backing legislation that will:

• Block unjustified utility rate hikes.

• Ban ratepayer-funded utility lobbying, advertising, and greenwashing.

• Demand greater transparency and accountability from monopoly utilities.

• Deliver real, immediate savings to working families across California.

This vote sends a powerful message to Sacramento and helps push these bills over the line.

“With the support of cities like San Diego, we can give those [state] legislators the endorsements they need to push those bills through the process,” said Council President Joe LaCava, District 1. “San Diego cannot and must not be silent in Sacramento. And with this resolution, in part, the council is making our voices heard.”

“Here is why this is so important: San Diegans and Californians are being ripped off. It’s not just unjust, it’s immoral,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, District 9. “These bills protect the people that we serve from unjust shutoffs, double charging schemes, and the misuse of ratepayer dollars. They give communities a fighting chance to take back their power, literally and figuratively.”

In response, Climate Action Campaign issues the following statement from Nicole Capretz, Chief Executive Officer:

“This is what real leadership looks like. Today, San Diego stood with working families, renters, seniors—every neighbor who’s had to choose between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.

By backing this reform package, our City made it clear that we’re done letting monopoly utilities write the rules and rig the system.

Nearly 1 in 4 households in San Diego is behind on their energy bills. That’s not just a crisis, it’s a moral failure. This vote is a turning point. It puts the public back in control of the public good.

For too long, utilities have raised rates in the dark and used ratepayer money to lobby against the public interest. San Diego just drew a line in the sand, and other cities should take notice. This is how we fight back.”