PG&E power transmission station in Brisbane, Calif. The utility faces growing scrutiny over rate hikes and transparency in its dealings with state regulators. (Ruth Dusseault/Bay City News)

Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif) introduced legislation that would prohibit private or undisclosed meetings between California utility companies and state regulators, following hearings on another potential PG&E rate hike.  

The Curb Private Utilities Corruption (CPUC) Act would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to make all interactions with the utilities it regulates publicly available online, a press release issued Thursday noted.  

“It’s absolutely insane that every time PG&E wants a rate increase the CPUC just gives it to them, no questions asked,” Harder said. “Valley families are paying way too much for electricity and they deserve answers as to why.”  

PG&E said that processes are in place regarding transparency.  

“The current rules already require that PG&E or any interested party disclose details of any and every meeting with CPUC decision makers on topics that affect rates that are in front of the CPUC,” a spokesperson for the PG&E said Sunday in an email. “This is part of the transparent and open process at the CPUC.” 

Harder noted that PG&E raised rates six times last year while earning nearly $2.5 billion in profits and is now seeking additional increases through 2030.  

PG&E said that residential electric rates have decreased three times since 2024, something they said offsets the increases mentioned by Harder.   

“PG&E residential electric rates and bills are about $12 lower than they were in January 2024 and are expected to decrease again in 2026,” the utility said. 

The bill comes as part of Harder’s broader push to hold utilities accountable, he said. He is also leading legislation to limit companies like PG&E to one rate hike per year, according to his office.  

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.