​CEO & GM report on rates and services

We've developed these reports to explain why we propose rate changes. If you cannot access these documents, or to make a comment on any report, please email us at ContactUs@smud.org.

As your community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, SMUD exists to serve you and our community. In all that we do, we put the best interests of our community first, including rising to the challenges of our energy future and protecting our environment.

June 17, 2021 Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services and Open Access Transmission Tariff

Beginning in 2022, we are proposing the changes to our electricity rates:

  • 1.5% rate increase effective March 1, 2022
  • 2% rate increase effective January 1, 2023
  • A new solar and battery storage rate for customers that add on-site generation, such as rooftop solar
  • A new optional Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) rate to help meet peak energy demand when it’s needed most
  • The delay of the commercial rate restructure implementation due to COVID, now planned for late 2021
  • Minor tariff language changes

A separate Chief Executive Officer & General Manager’s Report on Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) was proposed to revise SMUD's OATT to ensure SMUD's transmission rates for certain ancillary services reflect current costs.

Documents

March 21, 2019 Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

Beginning as early as 2020, we are proposing changes to our electricity rates:

  • Based on feedback received through public outreach, a draft rate resolution includes proposed rate increases for residential and commercial customers of 3.75% on Jan. 1, 2020, 3% on Oct. 1, 2020, 2.5% on Jan. 1, 2021 and 2% on Oct. 1, 2021.
  • Restructuring commercial rates to better align with the costs they are meant to reflect.
  • Minor changes to certain rates, rules and regulations.

Documents

June 21, 2018 Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

Beginning in 2019, we are proposing changes to our electricity rates that will focus on:

  • Increasing and extending the Economic Development Rate (EDR) to attract, retain and help businesses expand in the region
  • Offsetting the fees charged to businesses for required SMUD infrastructure for new or upgraded electric service to their business
  • Prorate the System Infrastructure Fixed Charge (SIFC) for bills with less than 27 days of service so customers pay it proportional to the number of days their home received power from SMUD

Read the Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services.

March 16, 2017 Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

Beginning in 2018, we are proposing changes to our electricity rates that will focus on:

  • An increase in rates for residential and commercial customers.
  • A new time-based rate called residential Time-of-Day (5 - 8 p.m. Peak) Rate.
  • A proposal to restructure the Energy Assistance Program Rate to better assist low-income customers with the greatest need.
  • An increase in rates for all agricultural and street/traffic/lighting rates.
  • A proposal to update the Net Energy Metering program for customers that install rooftop solar beginning Jan. 1, 2018, and to create a "grandfathered" transition period for current NEM customers.
  • Additional recommendations including minor language changes related to certain tariff sheets and rules and regulations.

Read the Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services:

April 2, 2015 Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

Beginning in 2016, we are proposing changes to our electricity rates that will focus on:

  • An increase in electricity rates needed to meet state mandates for renewable energy, which is more expensive, to offset higher commodity costs to provide electricity, as well as increases in operating and maintenance costs.
  • A new residential time-of-use rate to replace SMUD's existing optional time-of-use rate Option 1 (TOU1) and Option 2 (TOU2). Time-of-use rates better reflect SMUD's true cost of providing power, which fluctuates based on the time of day customers use electricity. Time-of-use rates also give customer more control over their bill since they'll have the option to use electricity during times when it costs less.

Other Changes:

  • Expand the eligibility criteria for the economic development rate
  • Expand SolarShares® program
  • Other minor language amendments

Read the Chief Executive Officer & General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services:

May 2, 2013 General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

Beginning in 2014, we are proposing changes to our electricity rates.

The changes will be phased in over four years and will focus on:

  • Aligning pricing with the true cost of providing service while promoting better energy consumption decisions by our customers.
  • Meeting state mandates for renewable energy, which is more expensive.
  • Addressing the lingering effects of the recession.
  • Merging of the Base Usage and Base Plus energy prices from 2014 – 2017, to prepare to transition to time-based rates in 2018.
Read the General Manger's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services:

April 7, 2011 General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services and Open Access Transmission Tariff

On August 4, 2011, Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 11-08-06 approving tariff modifications and a rate restructuring that reflects the cost of electricity when it is used, encourages conservation during peak periods, promotes energy efficiency efforts, clarifies language in the tariffs, and equitably allocates costs. The recommendation will not increase revenues. Specifically, the major restructuring changes:

  • Implements a four-month summer period for all residential and small commercial customers
  • Moves small commercial customers to a time-of-use rate and equitably allocates costs within the small commercial class
  • Makes modifications to the Energy Assistance Program Rate that promote energy efficiency efforts without reducing the amount spent on this program
  • Makes changes to various tariffs to facilitate renewable energy for on-site consumption or for sale to other utilities
  • Implements a late fee for bills that are not paid on time, and
  • Makes various language changes to make the terms in the tariffs easier to understand.

As part of the Resolution, the Board of Directors also adopted pilot residential rates in support of the SmartSacramen®to project. The pilot residential rates include a time-of-use rate, critical peak pricing rate and a hybrid time-of-use/critical peak pricing rate.

The General Manger's Report and Recommendation, addenda to the Report and the Resolution adopting the proposals in the Report are below:

On August 4, 2011, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 11-08-07 approving changes to the prices in the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). This tariff is for large electricity generators, customers, or market participants who seek to use SMUD transmission assets to send power into, through, and/or out of SMUD's transmission areas. The changes to the OATT:

  • Updates the OATT to reflect recent orders issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and
  • Updates the OATT prices, which have not increased in over seven years.

View the General Manager's Report and Recommendation relating to the OATT.

View the OATT itself.

View Addendum no. 1 relating to the OATT.

View Resolution 11-08-07.

October 7, 2010 General Manager's Report and Recommendation on Rates and Services

On December 16, 2010, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 10-12-13 approving tariff modifications that address issues prompted by changes in legislation and by growing customer interest in energy efficiency, customer excess renewable energy generation and expanding electric vehicle markets. Some of the modifications to SMUD's existing rates, services, or policies include:

  • Complying with the legislative mandate for net metering compensation by paying all customers who elect compensation for annual excess generation at a rate equal to SMUD's budgeted cost of energy
  • Providing more options for customers purchasing electric vehicles (EV) by clarifying the definition of an EV and allowing submetering for EV charging and billing
  • Increasing street lighting options by adding a metered street light rate that encourages adoption of new, more efficient LED street light technology, and
  • Encouraging the installation of commercial solar/PV systems by allowing for the reset of the annual facilities charge.

The General Manger's Report and Recommendation and the Resolution adopting the modifications are below: