SDG&E to refund $51.6 million to customers for botched lightbulb program

A massively fouled up San Diego Gas & Electric energy efficiency program in which the utility could not account for millions of lightbulbs — paid for by customers — has resulted in a settlement agreement that would see SDG&E refunding $51.6 million to ratepayers.

Under the settlement, the utility would also pay a $5.5 million fine because it “knowingly submitted inaccurate information” about the mismanaged program in filings to the California Public Utilities Commission.