HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS SHOCKING CUSTOMERS.

Byline: Amy Raisin and Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writers

Massive rate hikes imposed because of California's energy crisis have started to hit consumers with ``sticker shock'' as they get their electricity bills this month.

For the conserving few - those who cut power usage by 20 percent - there are rebates.

But those who kept the lights and appliances burning needed to sit down and catch their breath after opening their bills from Southern California Edison.

``This month's bill - it's too much,'' said Linda Yin at the family-owned Donut Depot in Simi Valley, where the July electricity bill spiked to $800, compared with $400 a month ago.

In March, the state Public Utilities Commission approved a five-tier rate structure that took effect June 3 for customers of private utilities.

Residents of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and other areas with municipal utilities saw no rate hikes or power shortages.

Edison residents - including those who live in Ventura County and northern Los Angeles County - are now billed according to their usage, keyed to a ``baseline'' rate, which is derived from their geographic zone, the season and the energy sources they use.

Those who use 130 percent or less of their baseline allocation - which is well below most consumers' normal usage - do not incur rate increases. But energy consumption beyond the baseline is billed at higher rates.

``The most important aspect of any tiered rate proposal is to motivate conservation,'' said Loretta Lynch, PUC president.

Edison spokesman Glen Beccera said that statewide, power users have cut up to 12 percent.

``That's a tremendous amount,'' Becerra said.

But the cost-cutting conservation rate is tough to meet.

Joan Hughes of Palmdale said her kilowatt usage on this newest bill showed a 14 percent cut from June of last year. But because she didn't lower her usage enough, her bill went from $228 a year ago to $375 for June.

``It's horrible,'' said Hughes, who has a medical condition that requires her to keep cool.

``I'm not running the air conditioning. I keep it on 80 degrees during the day. At night we don't go any lower than 76. We keep the lights off except when we're in the room.''

Saugus resident Steve Hooper was among those who conserved enough to lower his bill - it's just $77.03 for June - but he's had to take drastic measures to beat the system.

``I ran the air conditioning only one day this year,'' said Hooper, a father of three who works out of his home. ``I walk around the house turning off lights in all the rooms, ranting and raving like a loon.''

The trick, he said, is to unplug appliances that draw power even when they're not in use.

``We unplugged the toaster, the coffee maker, the VCRs, even the lava lamps in the kids' rooms,'' he said. ``We sleep with the windows open to cool off the house and close them during the day.''

At the Valencia Town Center, the management was able to stabilize power bills by cutting use. Lights have been dimmed, decorative fountains stilled and the air conditioning has been cut back.

``Our overall billing hasn't increased,'' said Charles Gill, general manager of the mall. ``The rate they're charging has increased, but because of our drastic reduction in consumption, the bill is about the same.

``I'd say we average about $60,000 a month in energy bills,'' Gill said. ``But I'd guess that our bills would have increased by about 20 percent'' if management had not committed to a significant reduction in energy consumption.

Staff Writer Peggy Hager contributed to this story.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Linda Yin, owner of Donut Depot in Simi Valley, said her Edison bill doubled - to $800 - last month.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Box:

TODAY'S HAPPENINGS

- Associated Press