SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The SMUD Board of Directors is holding two public workshops and a public hearing to discuss proposed rate changes.

The Chief Executive Officer & General Manager’s Reports and Recommendation on Rates and Services, released by SMUD CEO & General Manager Paul Lau, outlines a proposed rate increase of 3 percent on Jan. 1, 2026, and another 3 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2027. The proposed changes also include an optional Time-of-Day (low use) Rate, updates to transmission rates and other miscellaneous changes.

While SMUD works hard to control costs and operate efficiently, the need for a modest rate increase is attributed to several factors including wildfire prevention and mitigation, new generation projects, higher commodity costs for California clean energy compliance, infrastructure investment to maintain a reliable grid, the Folsom Administrative Operations Building and increased operating costs due to inflation, according to SMUD officials.

SMUD officials say that SMUD is committed to keeping rate increases within inflation, and if the proposed changes are approved, SMUD’s rates would remain among the lowest rates in the state, currently on average more than 50- percent lower than neighboring PG&E’s rates.

Detailed information on the proposed rate action and a complete copy of the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager’s Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services can be found on smud.org/RateInfo.

SMUD will work closely with customers and other stakeholders, including community groups, service organizations, business groups, elected officials and more, to discuss these changes.

In addition, two public workshops and a public hearing will be held for customers to learn more about the process and comment on the proposed changes. Meetings will be held in-person at SMUD’s Headquarters building and virtually via Zoom.

A public workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m., followed by another public workshop on Tuesday, May 13 at 10 a.m. Additionally, a public hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. 

Accommodations are available for disabled individuals. If you need a hearing assistance device or other aid, or have questions about the proposal, visit smud.org/RateInfo or call SMUD at 855-736-7655. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to SMUD, P.O. Box 15830, B256, Sacramento, CA 95852-0830.

As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. In 2023, SMUD’s power supply was, on average, 78 percent carbon free, and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity production by 2030. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.