SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A local consumer advocacy group is accusing San Diego Gas and Electric of blowing smoke in negotiations over who should pay for the 2007 wildfires.
The Utility Consumers Action Network held a press conference Thursday morning to warn the public against what they say is a violation of rate payers' rights.
SDG&E has admitted a revised proposal that would require customers to pay for uninsured damages by those fires. UCAN says the move is unacceptable, and could cost consumers millions.
"If it's approved, we anticipate that the rate increase will be spread out over the course of the next couple of years, but given the large amounts of money involved, San Diego rate payers could stand to see significant increases on their bills. This is unfair," David Peffer of UCAN said.
An investigation found the wildfires were started in large part by SDG&E power lines.