Agricultural Cannabis Growers Now Eligible for PG&E Ag Rate and Programs
While recreational marijuana cannot be sold in California until January 2018, existing medical marijuana growers and future
recreational marijuana growers will be eligible as of March 1 for PG&E’s agricultural energy rate.
The passage of Proposition 64 in November 2016 allows the state to license and regulate recreational marijuana cultivation and
businesses.
“Cannabis is a legal crop in our state, like almonds and tomatoes. Agricultural growers now will be eligible for the same rate
and energy efficiency programs as farmers of other crops,” said Deborah Affonsa, vice president of Customer Service at
PG&E.
PG&E customers are eligible for agricultural energy rates if they have received a permit from their local jurisdiction for
the cultivation of cannabis and if 70 percent or more of the annual energy use on the meter is for agricultural end-uses such as
growing crops, pumping water for agricultural irrigation or other uses that involve agricultural production for sale which do not
change the form of the product. The agricultural energy rate applies to both customers who grow cannabis outdoors and those who
grow indoors in commercial greenhouses.
The agricultural energy rate does not apply to residential customers who can legally grow up to six marijuana plants inside a
private residence per the state Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
Previously, medical marijuana was not considered an agricultural product by PG&E, and growers were not eligible for the
agricultural energy rate. Because medical marijuana can be grown and sold in California currently, licensed growers of medical
marijuana are immediately eligible for the agriculture energy rate.
Cannabis growing operations can use an extremely large amount of electricity and are considered to be equivalent to other
energy-intensive operations such as data centers.
“We’ve met with representatives of the emerging legal cannabis industry and listened to their needs. We are here to help our
customers make smart, efficient and affordable energy choices. Now that cannabis is in California’s future, our next step is to
work with these new agricultural customers and make this industry as energy efficient as possible,” said Affonsa.
PG&E’s agricultural rates are under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission and the state of
California.
Agricultural customers with questions about rates, rules and energy efficiency programs can learn more at pge.com/ag or contact PG&E’s dedicated Agricultural Customer Service Center at 1-877-311-3276.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the
United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy
to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com / and pge.com/news.
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PG&E Corporation
Abby Figueroa, 415-973-5930
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