California Climate Credits to reduce summer electric bills
Eligible households will receive more than $72 in electric bill credits
– Millions of residential Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers will receive California Climate Credits automatically applied to their summer electric bills over the next two months, according to a press release from PG&E.
Residential customers with an active electric account will receive a $36.18 credit on their August bill and another $36.18 credit on their September bill, for a total of $72.36 this summer. Eligible small business customers received a $36.18 electric credit in April and will receive another $36.18 credit in October.
Last year, the California Legislature directed the California Public Utilities Commission to shift the timing of the credits to higher-usage months to help make energy bills more manageable. The commission approved the change in April. Beginning this year, residential electric climate credits will be issued during higher-use summer months. Residential natural gas credits will move to February beginning in 2027, when winter heating demand is typically highest.
“Adjusting the timing of the electric credits helps families manage seasonal spikes in energy bills while still moving California toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future,” said Vincent Davis, chief customer officer and senior vice president of customer experience.
The California Climate Credit represents the public’s share of the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions through the Cap-and-Invest Program, which the California Air Resources Board oversees. Pacific Gas and Electric Company distributes the credits as directed by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Since 2014, households served by the utility have received nearly $1,200 in California Climate Credits on their energy bills. Statewide, the Cap-and-Invest Program has provided nearly $15.2 billion in cumulative benefits.
The utility lowered electric rates in March for the fifth time since January 2024. According to the company, residential bundled electric bills based on typical monthly usage are about $25 lower per month than they were two years ago. Customers receiving the California Alternate Rates for Energy discount pay about $30 less per month than they did two years ago.
The utility said customers may still see higher bills during the summer if they use more electricity to cool their homes.
Customers looking to reduce energy use and lower bills can access several statewide programs. The Switch Is On helps homeowners and renters find incentives and qualified contractors for switching from gas to electric appliances. GoGreen Home Financing offers financing for energy-efficiency upgrades.
Customers can also compare rate plans through their online account, complete a Home Energy Checkup, enroll in the HomeIntel program, and learn more at pge.com/summer.
