SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The California Public Utilities Commission voted Thursday to approve funding for San Diego Gas & Electric improvements which will come as a rate increase for customers. CPUC says the decision was made in order to maintain the safety, reliability and efficiency of SDG&E’s natural gas transmission, distribution, storage systems, electric distribution and generation systems through 2027. This will result in customers seeing an increase in their bills starting in 2025. Electricity bills will increase by 2.6% and gas bills about 1.8%. “I’m happy to see what they do like with the infrastructure, improving our powerlines, poles that don't burn down, those kind of things, firefighting helicopters, love all that,” said North Park resident Darrell Park. “But I do worry about the cost for people like my mother or anyone who is a senior who are on limited income.” Park rents an apartment and it makes saving on electricity harder. “It’s harder on me as a renter because my apartment is all electric, so I can't really save anything, my apartment is what it is. I can get LED lights, you can do all that stuff, but that's all I can do. I can’t get solar,” Park said. In a statement issued Thursday SDG&E spokesperson, Anthony Wagner says, "Today’s decision by the CPUC marks the culmination of a thorough process lasting more than two years.  Since day one, SDG&E has been laser focused on securing a positive outcome for customers that minimizes bill impacts while advancing safety, improving reliability and supporting the clean energy transition.  We believe this decision strikes the right balance, allowing SDG&E to more affordably provide the service our customers deserve and expect.” The changes will go into effect in 2025.