Published on 02/07/2024
PG&E’s budget for 2023-2026 was approved by the CPUC on November 16, 2023.
As a result, rates are increasing for all PG&E customers, including those that receive electric generation services from community-owned power providers in PG&E’s service area, such as Sonoma Clean Power.
PG&E’s new rates for their Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA), generation, and delivery services took effect on January 1, 2024. Most customers are already seeing these changes on their bill.
Because SCP customers receive delivery services from PG&E (see the graphic below), SCP customers are also experiencing an increase in the total cost of their bills.
It’s important to note that the bill increases approved by the CPUC are for PG&E’s services only. NOT for the electric generation services that SCP provides. SCP’s electric generation costs are separate from the amount billed by PG&E each month and are not an extra charge.
SCP is the default electricity provider, which means if you move to, or open a new PG&E account in Sonoma County or Mendocino County (with the exception of the cities of Ukiah and Healdsburg), you will automatically receive electric generation service from SCP unless you choose to opt out.
If you do not want to receive electric generation from SCP, you can receive it from PG&E instead. However, you will not receive SCP’s 7% savings on your total bill. When a customer chooses to opt out of SCP, they will continue to pay for electric generation service, but to PG&E instead of SCP.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the relationship between SCP and PG&E, and the benefits of having a local not-for-profit power provider.
On November 2, 2023, Sonoma Clean Power’s Board of Directors voted to adjust our rates to provide further savings to customers as soon as possible after PG&E’s expected rate changes on January 1, 2024.
As of February 1, 2024, SCP adjusted rates for our electric generation service to increase bill savings from 4-5% to 7%. SCP customer bills are now 7% below PG&E’s bundled service bills.
While this is good news for SCP customers, the reality is that PG&E’s January rate increases on the PCIA and delivery services are so large that total electric bills are still going up for everyone.
As your neighbors, SCP’s staff is feeling the shock of these higher bills too. We know that the cost of electricity bills has dramatically increased over the last few years, and unfortunately, PG&E’s rates will continue increasing yearly until 2026.
If you are struggling to pay your electric bill, here are some steps you can take to potentially lower your bill.
1. Find out if you are eligible for financial assistance.
The State of California offers many programs which can help you save money and energy. In SCP’s service area, these programs are administrated by PG&E and available to all customers.
2. Make sure you are on the best rate plan.
The electric rate plan your household is on can make a huge difference in how much you spend on electricity each month. Log in to your PG&E online account to get a personalized rate comparison based on your usage history and the time of day you use the most electricity.
The PG&E rate comparison takes into account your last 12-months of usage. If your account is new, or doesn’t have enough data available, reach out to SCP and we can help provide some insight into your rate options.
Time-of-Use (TOU) rates can help even the biggest energy conservers unlock bill savings.
3. Learn where you’re using electricity, and save wherever possible.
Use the Home Energy Checkup tool when you're logged in to your PG&E online account to see a breakdown of your usage. You'll see your top energy costs divided into categories like electronics, lighting, water heating, and more.
You can also utilize PG&E’s HomeIntel Energy Coach, which provides a free online analysis of your utility bills. This report will give you personalized recommendations for how to save energy based on your usage.
4. Conserve energy and make necessary home improvements.
See our 5 ways to reduce your energy use this winter. A drafty home can cause your heating costs to skyrocket. Consider checking out one of our DIY Toolkits from a Sonoma or Mendocino County Library for free LED lightbulbs, weather-stripping, and more, for easy steps towards improving your home’s energy efficiency.
5. Better understand your bill.
Understanding how to read your energy bill is essential. Watch the video below for a breakdown of the charges you see on your monthly bills, including the difference between SCP and PG&E services.
SCP’s electric generation services are not an extra charge. You can choose to receive your electricity from SCP or PG&E, but PG&E is the only option for delivery services.
Our team is here to help you navigate these challenging rate increases. Whatever your questions may be, you can reach SCP in the following ways:
