Proposed rate change public comments
Comments on the 2025 rate proposal (impacting rates in 2026 and 2027) may be submitted by emailing ContactUs@smud.org or by mailing written comments to:
SMUD
P.O. Box 15830, MS B256
Sacramento, CA 95852-0830
All personally identifiable information, including last names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses are removed prior to posting. Links and images included in comments will also be removed. If you do not wish for your comments to be publicly available on this page, please indicate that at the time of submission.
Public comments are posted weekly on Wednesdays, starting April 2.
Comments
06/05 - Steve U.
Hello,
Comment on the draft rate resolution
Please ensure the SMUD Board and the public is provided with the attached PDF.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
SMUD Board President Gregg Fishman,
I believe you asked me to violate the law.
Once I submitted my PUC 14403.5(b) writing, I was prohibited from speaking of it at the rate hearing. Laura Lewis should know this and should of advised you to not ask me to speak of my PUC 14403.5(b) writing at the rate hearing.
PUC 14403.5(a) permits any member of the public who has given 10 days advance written notice to present nonduplicative testimony on the proposed rate change or on any alternatives.
You can't ask me to violate the law, I did not violate the law because my verbal testimony was nonduplicative testimony and unrelated to my PUC
14403.5(b) writing.
I believe the transcript will show I resisted your repeated attempts that would have me violating PUC 14403.5(a).
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
Did I miss something President Gregg Fishman, I did not hear you call the question on the action I requested, comment for June 4, 2025 SMUD Rate hearing.
Hello SMUD Board President Gregg Fishman.
Did you call the question on my alternate rate proposal closing debate?
I guess I'll have to wait for the transcript.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
Itron Gen5 Riva meters are very smart, comment for June 4, 2025 SMUD Rate hearing.
Hello Board,
Did you know that the new Gen5 Riva meters are so much smarter than the Landis meters.
Landis meter never made it beyond the 4th grade as far as math, and is a poor communicator, a bit loud at times.
Gen5 Riva has a masters in business and engineering, and speaks softly in more languages.
It could replace your billing system department, and your Rates department.
No wonder SMUD staff don't promote the Gen5 Riva.
See attached PDF.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
Comment for item 3 of SMUD's June 4, 2025 special board meeting
For the record for item 2 of SMUD's June 4, 2025 Rate Hearing I believe SMUD Board President Gregg Fishman tried to use my right to comment in a unlawful manner to then allow a matter of business to be considered that was not listed on the agenda for the meeting.
None of my verbal testimony was duplicative of my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
Comment for agenda item 2
President Fishman,
I am not required to present my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager to the SMUD Board.
The SMUD Board is required to consider my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/05 - Steve U.
Agenda Item 2 comment
Hello Laura Lewis,
I am not required to present my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager to the Board.
Perhaps you have overlooked, PUC 14403.5(b) is a separate provision from PUC 14403.5(a), re "both" are provided to the public. As such only the Board is given a requirement, and that is to consider my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager pursuant to PUC 14403.5(b).
Yes President Fishman has given me ten minutes, I will use that time for my right under PUC 14403.5(a) per ordinance 15-1.
I look forward to hearing the Board's consideration of my written alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager.
I may then decide to use my ten minutes for my right under PUC 14403.5(a) per ordinance 15-1.
As to the links, they work when not blocked by SMUD.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Hello SMUD Board President Gregg Fishman,
Thanks for explaining the process for the hearing.
Please consider this and all my other emails and SMUD staff replies for the rate hearing, written comment submitted for the record pursuant to the agenda written public comment procedure for the June 4, 2025 special Board meeting for agenda item 2.
I trust you have watched the SMUD Board's Video Library videos and notified the other board members that I have incorporated the videos in my proposal by reference:
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1086
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1146
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1153
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1480
Video 1146 has been removed from the library since I notified the Board of including the videos in my proposal. I believe there is another copy of video 1146 under a different name still in the library.
Will all of the videos be made available by the SMUD Board to the public at some point pursuant to 54957.5 GOV-CHAPTER 9. Meetings 54950-54963?
If not, does the SMUD Board object to me uploading the videos I have referenced in my email submissions for the rate hearing, to the internet for public access?
If I am unavailable to participate in the June 4, 2025 meeting. You can consider my written proposal without me at the hearing, as the Board shall do pursuant to 14403.5.(b) PUC-CHAPTER 11.5. Hearings 14401-14403.5wish to utilize my 10 minutes under 14403.5.(a) PUC-CHAPTER 11.5. Hearings 14401-14403.5 for the June 4, 2025 meeting for my proposal presentation. The presentation is set to auto advance, ~6 minutes, feel free to advance slides when fully read at the hearing.
Your staff should be able to answer questions about my presentation, such as why it costs over $400 to know how many residential customer's have meters that measure and store the result of their reactive power, how the low use customer type affects EV customer types, why these two de facto customer types are not considered customer types, and other questions the Board may have about things that were said in the videos that could cause inequitable rates.
Also you can do web searches for other things like Deming Prize, Florida Power and Light, Fong v. PG&E(1988) I believe Fong will have a big effect on SMUD and its renewable credit claims, power factor, loading order, and others in my presentation. All of which affect and will affect SMUD's rates.
Please see that other members of the public see my proposal presentation and hear the Board's consideration, prior to their making comment on item 2 of the agenda for the June 4, 2025 meeting.
I will be waiting to read the transcript as to the Board's actions I have requested in the attached presentation, and why the videos were not made available to the public.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Comment for agenda item 2
Hello President Fishman,
When you said "We will consider our staff proposal and yours", who is the "We"? Is it the Board?
Also you said "Our agenda has a slot for public comment on items on the agenda.". Are you saying, at a special meeting, The Board can discuss a PUC 14403.5(b) written matter from the public unrelated to the agenda item 2 for the rate changes proposed by the general manager?
If so I am looking forward to the Board resolving the issue of me not being listing separately on the agenda, re my agenda request, the issue of the public's access to the videos in the Board's Video Library by blocking access to previously disclosed video records. These are primary matters on my alternatives to the rate changes proposed by the general manager, the rest could be done by a motion to committee.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Hello,
I was just on the board meeting website.
My presentation does not identify that it was amended.
How will the public be noticed of the change in my presentation?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Hello,
Perhaps you are still trying to justify not considering customer types for sales volumes at this late date?
Based on your reply, "This is not related to the proposals in the GM Report. PUC 740.16(d) refers to integrated resource plans."
Perhaps you have overlooked the CEO and General Manager's Report-vol-1.pdf references SD-9 that covers both the integrated resource planning process and maintaining competitive rates relative to other California electricity providers.
Perhaps you have overlooked that section 740.16. is found in PUC-ARTICLE 2. Rates 727-758 in the Public Utilities Code - PUC
Perhaps you continue to overlook that the phrase "sales volume" does not appear in any of the General Manager's reports.
Perhaps you continue to confuse "customer type" with "customer class"?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Hello,
Perhaps you continue to overlook that the phrase "sales volume" does not appear in any of the General Manager's reports.
Perhaps you continue to confuse "customer type" with "customer class"?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/04 - Steve U.
Hello,
Do your Time-of-Day (Low Use) rate design documents include a sales volume forecast for the Time-of-Day (Low Use) customer type?
What happens when a Time-of-Day (Low Use) customer type becomes a EV owner?
Do your Time-of-Day (EV) rate design documents include a sales volume forecast for the Time-of-Day (EV) customer type?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/03 - Steve U.
Hello Laura Lewis,
Please describe how the matter of considering my rate proposal will be called if it is not listed as a item of business on the agenda.
How will the public know my proposal is a separate matter for consideration?
Will the public be allowed to address the board the matter of considering my rate proposal and SMUD staff's proposal separately?
My proposal requests the board take action, how will debate be closed and action taken?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
06/02 - Judith O.
Hi, I am unable to attend the hearing on June 4, 2025, so I’m writing an email to express my thoughts about the proposed rate hike of 3% beginning January 1, 2026, and another 3% effective January 1, 2027.
I notice that every year the rates have increased. I’ve looked back from our 2021 to our 2025 current statements.
The System Infrastructure Fixed Charge has risen about a dollar every year from 2021 $22.25 to the current 2025 $26.20. I believe I recall a time when there was no infrastructure charge and now it is $314.40 a year, in addition to the regular rates.
The summer rates are now $.03 to $.05 higher Per kWh than they were 4 years ago. This doesn’t sound like much, but our budget balanced billing plan is now about $20 per month higher with the same approximate usage.
I’m not low income and do not qualify for any reductions, but with the general increase of prices in every sector, these price increases are troublesome. I am retired and my income has actually been reduced due to the huge increase in medical insurance and price increases on almost every other aspect.
I would ask the SMUD Board and those who make these decisions to reconsider the rate increases for SMUD. If a rate increase must be made, please consider a one percent (1%) raise instead of a 3% raise in rates.
Thank you for reading my email and thank you for considering my point of view and request.
Sincerely,
Judith O.
06/02 - Jacqueline M.
I am on a fixed income and every single one of my accounts payable has gone up in price but my income has not. I am very careful with my budget and this will be something that I have to re-arrange my account in order to take the rates of 3$ in 2026 and an additional 3% in 2027. It would be a hardship but I also have look at endlessly excellent service in respect that it has given me since 18 years ago. I understand that you have people, trucks, equipment to maintain. It is reasonable that you have to keep your employees paid a good wage with benefits and therefore I understand and approve of the changes. I have no complaints and I do support your rates.
05/28 - Steve U.
Hello,
I have sent my presentation to the SMUD Board president as they requested.
When will you provide the requested information on customer types for sale volume forecasts (low use, EV, etc..), and Itron Gen5 Riva meters installed for residential customers?
Perhaps you have over looked that the phrase "sales volume" does not appear in any of the general manager's report?
[LINK]
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/28 - Steve U.
Hello,
How will this rate change for customer types that have low usage affect other customer types, such as customers with electric vehicles?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/28 - Steve U.
Hello,
Perhaps you have overlooked PUC 740.16(d) in PUC-ARTICLE 2. Rates
727-758 and how it affects publicly owned utilities' residential customer types that have electric vehicles?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/23 - Steve U.
Hello SMUD Board,
Please watch these SMUD videos. I am including them by reference in my prospectus for alternatives to the general manager's rate report. I will reference to them when addressing the SMUD Board at the June 4, 2025 rate hearing.
I ask that you think about the culture change that each of the SMUD executives are proposing, and where SMUD is now. The fourth video speaks of keeping your customer's trust.
All but the fourth video address rates, or business operations that drive rate increases at some point. I included the fourth because I believe you hold keeping your customer's trust very high in your goals.
[IMAGE]
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1086
[IMAGE]
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1146
[IMAGE]
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1153
[IMAGE]
https://smud.granicus.com/player/clip/1480
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/23 - Steve U.
Hello,
If there are no historical sales volume data for the residential customer type that are low use, how did you choose the 107,000 customers that were considered in the rate design for RTL1?
The low use customers should of been identified as type subsets in Table 13 and Table 14 for all of the residential customer types for RF01, RF01_E, RF01_EL, etc.
Are you aware that the the phrase "sales volume" does appear anywhere in the general manager's rate report?
Please correct the general manager's rate report by identifying where the low use customers are to come from for the preceding two years and estimates of sales volumes for the two years following.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/22 - Steve U.
Hello,
Where did you get your definition of customer types?
Perhaps you have overlooked subsection PUC 739.13(c)(2)?
See attached.
Steve Uhler
05/20 - Steve U.
Hello SMUD Board President Gregg Fishman,
Perhaps I have overlooked something?
So far I have not found a forecast for retail sales for the RTL1 (low use) 125 amp panel proposed residential rate in any of the general manager's rate report and recommendation documents.
I found forecast for sales for Small Commercial <20kW (CITS-0) that could be serviced by 125 amp panel.
Found here on the SMUD website:
[ LINK ]
Did you find a forecast for retail sales for the RTL1 (low use) 125 amp panel proposed residential rate?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/19 - Steve U.
Hello,
Perhaps this will aid in locating responsive records for RTL1 rate (low use) for the PUC 14403.3(b) required sales forecast?
Table 3 – SMUD Forecasted Revenue after Proposed Increases
[ LINK ]
PDF Page 21 speaks of a forecast for residential low use (RTL1 rate).
Table 9 – SMUD Retail Energy Sales Forecast
[ LINK ]
PDF page 79 contains Table 9 - SMUD Retail Energy Sales Forecast, data source file for the table may contain some of the PUC 14403.3(b) required sales forecast for RTL1 (Low Use).
SMUD Board's President, Gregg Fishman wishes I provide my rate report by May 28, 2025, the PUC 14403.3(b) required sales forecast for RTL1 (low use) is key to my rate report, and is currently not available in SMUD's general manager report.
I have until the day of the hearing to provide my written report, pursuant to Ordinance No. 51-1 Section 2(g)iii Notwithstanding any provision in this paragraph (g), the public hearing(s) shall be conducted in accordance with the Board’s Meeting Procedures. This would be far from optimal to wait till then.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
05/16 - Steve U.
Request to present testimony and have SMUD board consider my written report and recommendations for alternatives to rate RTL1 at the June 4, 2025 rate hearing.
Upon SMUD's general manager compliance with PUC subsection 14403.3(b) requirement to provide a statement of sales volumes by customer type RTL1 for the preceding two years and estimates of sales volumes for the two years following, I wish to present at the June 4, 2025 rate hearing my alternative to rate RTL1.
Please see that the June 4, 2025 rate hearing agenda includes my presentation so the SMUD board can consider and take action on my report and recommendations for alternatives to rate RTL1.
If SMUD's general manager fails to comply with PUC subsection 14403.3(b) in a timely manner, I wish to present my report and recommendations for alternatives to rate RTL1 at a hearing pursuant to PUC section 14403 after the general manager complies with PUC subsection 14403.3(b).
I request 10 minutes to present, not including time for SMUD board member comments and questions.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
3327 53rd Street
Sacramento, CA 95820-1628
05/15 - Steve U.
Hello,
What is the rate code for three-phase residential service?
What is the current sales and sales forecast pursuant to PUC 14403.3(b) for Residential Three-Phase Service Option?
When will all of my comment emails appear on [ LINK ]?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
04/21 - Steve U.
You asked for some context:
"Your last comment was this: Please justify using the word "demand" when you are only describing "load". Would you please provide some context so we can address this question?"
Perhaps the below will aid you in answering the question of SMUD's use of the word "demand".
Does the measurement taken at the customer’s meter include reactive power?
If so, please describe how the reactive power is measured.
If not, how does SMUD account for the differences in each customer's reactive power as more customer inductive loads (heat pumps, inductive cook tops, Electric Vehicle chargers) are added to SMUD distribution system?
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
04/10 - Steve U.
Hello,
Perhaps this will help in understanding my question:
Please justify using the word "demand" when you are only describing "load".
In Definitions Rule and Regulation 1:
Demand is defined as "The delivery of power to the customer at defined point in time and measured in kW.".
Where is the measurement (kW) taken?
If measurement (kW) is taken at the customer's meter, it is not a measurement of demand (kVA) on the power grid.
For more detail:
[ LINK ]
[ LINK ]
[ LINK ]
[ LINK ]
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
04/1 - Steve U.
Volume 1 only states what the max panel range is for RTL1, as 125 amps.
Demand in a alternating circuit is measured in volt-amps (apparent power), watts measures the power (real power) dissipated by the load.
In an AC circuit, the total power consumed is called the apparent power. Apparent power is the demand on the system.
Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power.
I would like to know if any of the above properties were considered in choosing panel size.
How was panel size was chosen for RTL1?
Please justify using the word "demand" when you are only describing "load".
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
03/25 - Steve U.
Perhaps the wrong version was posted? Draft was posted not final version.
Appears to be missing vital information, details on system losses, TOD table for residential customers, how panel size was chosen for RTL1, for example.
Please also provide SMUD's definition for "demand".
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com
[IMAGE]
03/24 - Steve U.
Hello,
Under "Cost-Justified Fees for Benefits and Services" a reference is made to "The cost-of-service analysis that demonstrates
cost-justification for the proposed rates is the SMUD Rate Costing Study (“2024 Rate Study”) which is incorporated herein by this reference.".
Searches for "SMUD Rate Costing Study" and "2024 Rate Study" return no results.
See attached gm-report-vol-1-page-63.pdf for more detail.
Please provide a link to this study on [ LINK ] "2026-2027 proposed rate changes" web page to ensure the public has
ready access to said incorporated herein by this reference SMUD Rate Costing Study (“2024 Rate Study”).
Pursuant to First Amendment of the United States Constitution, do not remove from any of my comments, any personally identifiable information,
including but not limited to, last names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses prior to posting on SMUD's [ LINK ] web page.
Steve Uhler
sau@wwmpd.com