PG&E CEO Patricia Poppe expressed optimism that customer monthly bills will eventually level off and potentially even fall below the current elevated rates.
Poppe emphasized the ongoing efforts to find solutions and curb the surge in utility costs. “We see a future where customers’ bills can start to come down,” she stated.
Poppe outlined implemented measures, such as a lean operating system, to reduce expenses and enhance customer experience. She also acknowledged the need to strike a balance between cost reduction and safety, particularly in light of past PG&E-related incidents.
Poppe highlighted the company’s exploration of alternative technologies to reduce wildfire risk, thereby potentially minimizing vegetation management expenses. She emphasized the potential for lower-cost technology deployment to enhance safety while reducing costs.
Despite the challenges, Poppe remains confident in PG&E’s ability to implement cost controls, expand technology adoption, and simultaneously improve safety measures. “All of these things can happen,” she said. “We see prices falling in the future and we are working every day to make that happen.”
