California has long pioneered the way toward a clean energy future by procuring energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass. To ensure California can meet its goal of 100% clean, zero-carbon energy by 2045, it’s important that all Californians consider that when you use electricity is as important as how much electricity you use.
To enable Californians to continue leading the way, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has mandated the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) to transition residential customers currently on the E-1 (Tiered) Rate to transition to a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate (regardless of your generation provider). Customers in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties will be a transition in April 2021.
Customers can choose to do nothing and will automatically transition to a TOU rate in April 2021* or customers can decline the transition to a TOU rate by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visiting pge.com/toubp.
Benefits of Time-of-Use rates plans:
If you take no action, you will be transitioned in April 2021 to the Time-of-Use (Peak Pricing 4-9 p.m. Every Day) or E-TOU-C for short rate plan, the price you pay per kilowatt changes based on the time of day in which you’re using energy. You will receive lower electricity pricing during most of the day when overall energy demand is lower. Electricity prices will be higher for five hours every day in the late afternoon and evening (4-9 p.m.) when overall demand is higher. You might save money without making any changes as to when you use electricity, but by making small changes in your energy use, like running the dishwasher and doing laundry during lower-priced times, you may benefit even more from a TOU rate plan.
Try the Time-of-Use (Peak Pricing 4-9 p.m. Every Day) rate plan for the first 12 months with automatic bill protection. If you pay more on the generation portion of your electric bill than you would have on your current rate plan, SCP will credit you the difference at the end of the first 12 months. If you decide you are not satisfied on this rate plan, you can switch to another rate plan at any time, and you will still be eligible for bill protection for the months that you were on the TOU rate plan.
Every home is unique. When deciding which rate to be on, you should consider your lifestyle and what times of day your household uses the most electricity. You have the option to: