Portola, Calif., saw its monthly streetlight bill more than double without using more electricity, putting added pressure on city finances as residents and local fire stations face their own soaring power bills.

Here's what to know

Liberty Utilities serves approximately 2,000 customers in Portola, roughly 300 of them commercial accounts. Residents challenged the utility's bills at a packed Oct. 14 City Council meeting, according to The Plumas Sun.

Electricity use for Portola's streetlights stayed near 6,500 kilowatt-hours while the monthly charge climbed from about $6,086 in May to $12,739 in October, bills presented by City Manager Ryan Bonk showed.

The Plumas Sun also reported year-over-year increases in residents' monthly bills.

Cary Curtis, who leads the Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District's board, said monthly bills at each of its seven stations rose from roughly $700 to $4,000.

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More background

An 11.4% rate increase won approval from the California Public Utilities Commission in March, below the 19.1% Liberty had requested in September 2024. Liberty cited wildfire safety mitigation costs as a major driver.

The approved increase falls short of the doubling or tripling customers reported.

Liberty regional communications manager Kurt Althof told The Plumas Sun by email that customers would stop paying a temporary surcharge after three years. The additional charge of "about 11.3%" covers wildfire mitigation investments from January 2025 through May 2026.

A $24 rate increase and $23 in surcharges account for the $47 monthly rise in the average residential bill, according to Althof.

Higher bills pose a particular threat to residents on fixed incomes.

What's being done?

Portola cannot set or roll back Liberty's rates; the CPUC has that authority. The Plumas Sun reported that councilmembers unanimously authorized Mayor Bill Powers to write to Liberty and the commission, along with state Sen. Megan Dahle and Assemblymember Heather Hadwick.

Bonk was also arranging a public meeting with Liberty and CPUC representatives, though no date had been set as of Oct. 27.

Bonk and Liberty key account manager Matt Newberry encouraged customers to confirm their rate classification, check their eligibility for discounts, and review bills for mistakes, according to The Plumas Sun. Customers can reach Liberty's customer service at 800-782-2506.

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Where can I learn more?

High electricity bills and questions about utility oversight reach well beyond Portola. These stories cover California's power prices, changes to rate oversight, wildfire-related costs, and bill credits.

• California has launched its first utility rate oversight overhaul in 19 years amid fairness concerns.

• California's electricity costs now rank second nationwide, fueling debate over the state's energy choices.

• Southern California Edison customers could pay hundreds of millions more after wildfire legislation stalled.

• California's IID customers will receive a 4-cent-per-kWh October bill credit without taking any action.

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