Sifter

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has to pay cities and counties a “franchise fee” for the right to use public streets to route gas and electric service. In 2003, the payments increased 22 percent from 2002, due in large part to an increased demand for natural gas, according to PG&E. The resulting higher utility bills forced PG&E to pay nearly $42 million to 49 counties—a fact it’s suggesting is a hardship due to the corporation’s bankruptcy woes. (PG&E emerged from Chapter 11 on April 12.)

city electric gas total paid by PG&E

Biggs $447.41 $3,995.34 $4,442.75

Chico $313,164.07 $153,156.90 $466,320.97

Colusa $21,421.75 $13,345.23 $34,766.98

Corning $36,715.89 $21,184.07 $57,899.96

Gridley $3,854.16 $16,773.44 $20,627.60

Live Oak $25,104.53 $10,997.86 $36,102.39

Orland $23,401.07 $12,418.46 $35,819.53

Oroville $87,839.79 $44,263.91 $132,103.70

Paradise $159,965.70 $68,150.35 $228,116.05

Red Bluff $63,732.06 $27,903.78 $91,635.84

Willows $22,870.68 $13,167.62 $36,038.30