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During Record-Setting Summer Heat, PG&E Reminds Customers of Savings Programs

PCG | July 26, 2017

During Record-Setting Summer Heat, PG&E Reminds Customers of Savings Programs

Today, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) highlighted four financial-assistance programs that customers can take advantage of during the hot summer months and throughout the year. These programs can help customers with discounts on their monthly energy bills, one-time assistance during hard times and energy savings for certain medical conditions.

“This summer, our customers have already experienced a heat wave with record temperatures across our service area, requiring them to use more energy to stay comfortable and combat the heat. We encourage all of our customers to learn more about our programs that can help them save on their energy bills every month during the year – and especially when they need it most,” said Deborah Affonsa, vice president of Customer Service at PG&E.

Save on Monthly Bills

PG&E’s California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program gives households discounts on their energy bills, based on income or participation in public assistance programs. Through CARE, PG&E has helped over 1.4 million customers save more than $8.1 billion on their energy bills since 1989.

Yet, PG&E estimates more than 180,000 eligible customers are missing out on the 20 percent or more savings on their monthly electric and gas bills. Compared to 2016, the amount of eligible customers increased the most in Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. Conversely, a significant amount of eligible customers enrolled in the CARE program in Alameda and Sonoma counties over the past year.

Customers can apply for CARE online at pge.com/CARE or via paper applications that are available through numerous community agencies across PG&E’s service area. Applying is easy and only takes about five minutes. If they qualify, customers will begin receiving the CARE program discount within their next billing cycle.

PG&E encourages CARE customers to also participate in the free Energy Savings Assistance Program to help save more energy and money with energy-saving improvements to maximize energy efficiency in their home – at no cost to them. Families have received a variety of home improvements through the program, including:

Installing a new energy-efficient refrigerator, furnace or water heater
Weatherproofing and adding attic insulation to keep their home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter
Updating to ENERGY STAR® advanced LED light bulbs that use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs

Get One-Time Support during Hard Times

During a personal or family crisis, the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program helps low-income families keep their energy on. Sponsored by PG&E and run by The Salvation Army, the REACH program provides and energy credit for up to $300 on the past due bill amount.

Receive Energy Support for Medical Conditions

Residential customers requiring electricity-powered medical equipment may qualify for Medical Baseline, which is not dependent on income. Per month, eligible customers can receive an extra baseline allotment of 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity and/or 25 therms of gas.

Medical equipment that qualifies for the program includes respirators, nebulizers, motorized wheelchairs and more. Certification by a doctor is required to participate in the program.

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.