Southern California residents are facing soaring electricity bills, exacerbated by the Time of Use (TOU) pricing system implemented by Southern California Edison (SCE) in 2020-2021. 

The TOU system charges customers higher rates during peak usage hours, particularly summer weekday afternoons. This pricing program encourages consumers to shift their electricity use to less expensive, off-peak times. However, during a record-breaking hot summer, many consumers, including those working from home or with children at home, have found this challenging.

Numerous SCE customers have reported significant bill increases, with some seeing their monthly charges jump to $900 or more. KTLA news reported that Linda Lynch from the Antelope Valley saw her bill skyrocket to $900, far higher than usual, while Carla Chang and Sarah Clifford faced bills ranging from $600 to over $1,000. Senior citizen Melissa Avalos reported her bill rising from $86 to $400 despite minimal air conditioning use at night.

As consumers express frustration, particularly those in lower income brackets, the fairness and impact of TOU pricing continue to be hotly debated.