FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As the heat continues this summer, local small businesses are struggling with high energy bills.
“Especially with an open kitchen, it generates a lot of heat. From June through mid-September, I think our bills will reach $3,000,” Craft House owner Greg Wilson said.
$3,460.69, this is the latest PGGreg Wilson, owner of Craft House in Clovis, has an electric bill that compares to just $1,484 in January.
Wilson says it’s difficult to manage, especially in the current climate of inflation.
“P.G.When the B&E bill goes up you can’t just amend the menu and raise prices, you can’t make everything on the menu market price based on what happens at PG.“&E,” Wilson said.
Last month, the utility announced a temporary 9 percent reduction in electricity rates for Central California customers starting in July.
“We want customers to know that as the summer progresses, the impact of the rate reductions should become more noticeable. When your next bill arrives, maybe not on the bill you’re receiving now, but on your next bill, you should see some relief,” PG’s Jeff Smith said.&E public relations officer.
Even though the seasonal change is on the way, Backyard Social Club in Clovis isn’t sure how much help it will be.
“I’d like to say it was only in the summer, but it has been open every month so far, and PG“&E’s rent has consistently been higher than ours,” said Michelle Guevara, co-owner of The Backyard Social Club.
Co-owner Michelle Guevara said the $5,000 bill will have an impact on the community they work to cultivate.
“It’s just a struggle. You have to take your employees off their schedules and make them work themselves,” Guevara said.
PG&E is adding energy auditors to help save huge costs.
“We would like to encourage both commercial and residential customers to get in touch with us to find out potential solutions,” Smith said.
Small business owners also told Action News they’ve seen other mom-and-pop shops forced to close due to rising energy costs, and they want to help keep everyone else open.
PG&E also offers energy efficiency programs for small businesses to help reduce costs.
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