The Brief The California Public Utilities Commission approved a 10% rate increase for Southern California Edison customers. The rate hike would increase average residential bills by about $17 a month. State regulators on Thursday approved a rate hike which would add about $17 a month or $200 a year to the average bill. Southern California Edison said the increase is necessary to maintain the grid and fund wildfire prevention efforts. What we know:The California Public Utilities Commission decided on the rate increase for SCE during a meeting in San Francisco.