SAN DIEGO, August 7, 2026 — “What do we want? Lower bills. When do we want them? Now,” chanted dozens of protestors at a rally outside of Sempra Energy headquarters Thursday morning in response to the company’s second-quarter earnings report showing $762 million in adjusted earnings, up from $583 million over the same period last year.

“Sempra’s soaring profits are being made on the backs of San Diegans struggling to keep the lights on and put food on the table. When Sempra’s CEO is making over $20,000,000 per year while one in five customers is behind on their utility bills, state leaders must strengthen oversight of SDG&E and Sempra and deliver immediate relief. San Diegans need lower bills now,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, City of San Diego, District 9.

Speakers called out the stark divide between company earnings and the financial strain on our communities, noting that 18% of San Diego Gas & Electric customers are behind on their bills with an average past-due balance of $501.

“It’s no secret that when SDG&E builds transmission lines and other capital projects, shareholder profits and customer rates go up hand in hand,” said Malinda Dickenson with The Protect Our Communities Foundation. “Now, more than ever, we need the California Public Utilities Commission to do its job and protect the public from SDG&E’s inherent incentives to goldplate the grid.”

Community advocates say state officials should take responsibility for the rate hikes driving up local living costs.

Anthony Dang, Policy and Community Outreach Manager at Climate Action Campaign, issued the following demands during the press conference:

“To the California Legislature: No policy this legislative session comes close to bringing the relief our families need.

To our candidates running for governor: stop hiding behind vague promises. Tell San Diego right now whether you will stand up to Sempra and SDG&E, or if you’ll keep letting a monopoly write the rules that are bankrupting our families.

To the CPUC commissioners: You were put there to protect ratepayers. Every rate hike you approve while SDG&E rakes in profits like these is a choice you are making, with our money, and we will make sure every San Diegan knows your name when you make it.”

-

Press conference photos and videos are in this Google Folder.