About the editor: When will higher income people everywhere stop supporting lower income people? (“A new fee is coming to your electric bill. Will this make California rates more affordable?” April 11)

Soon private utilities in California will charge higher income customers a higher flat rate. So a household making $28,000 a year pays a monthly fee to Edison in Southern California of $15, while a household making $180,000 pays $85. How is that reasonable?

What right does the electric company have to know our income? Higher earners already pay more allowances and taxes.

Enough, California has stopped punishing the middle class (and yes, $180,000 is middle class with this state’s cost of living).

Clark Woodford, Mission Viejo

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About the editor: It’s time California’s electric utilities charge a flat monthly fee to cover their fixed costs (pylons, cables, and other equipment) and variable costs to cover the cost of the electricity they actually use. This also applies to utility companies with solar panels that pay a fair share to be connected to the grid.

It’s like paying an entrance fee to a bar to pay the band and then pay for the drinks.

This fixed monthly fee must be “fair and reasonable” and fully transparent, based on the true cost of the wires, poles, and appliances needed to power our homes. Income-based fees can be requested and verified by the customer, instead of charging the utilities and the state to verify each customer’s financial situation.

Bob Hoffman, Redondo Beach The author is an energy consultant.

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About the editor: Scott Crider, senior vice president at San Diego Gas & Electric, says “this is not a rate increase” when referring to California’s planned fixed charges on utility bills.

I do not agree with it. My annual electric bill is $75 because of my solar system. The flat fee for me would be $73 per month, up from $801 per year.

This fixed fee negates the financial benefit of using solar energy.

Mark Chipman, San Diego