With CPS Energy poised to seek another rate increase, consumer group Public Citizen is urging San Antonio City Council to hire a ratepayer advocate to protect residents from potential gouging. Officials with the city-owned utility are working to finalize a proposed rate increase to cover pricy but needed upgrades to plants and equipment. Those expenses could run as high as $120 million annually, prompting the utility to seek a 5.5% increase on customer bills by early 2024, the Express-News reports.