SCE Customers Save $86 on April Bills, Thanks to California Climate Credit

Rhea-AI Summary

Southern California Edison's 5 million-plus residential and small business customers will receive an $86 California Climate Credit on their April and October bills, funded by the state's Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program. This marks the largest climate credit payout since the program's inception in 2014. The credit aims to reduce GHG emissions and provide financial benefits to utility customers. SCE also offers various bill assistance programs for eligible customers.

Residential, small business customers to receive the first of two annual credits from the state’s Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade program

ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Southern California Edison’s 5 million-plus residential and small business customers will receive an $86 California Climate Credit on their April and October bills, the largest climate credit payout SCE has distributed since California launched the program in 2014.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

No action is required by residential and small business account holders to receive the twice-a-year credit, which previously ranged from $29 to $71 for SCE customers. It will appear automatically on customers’ April and October SCE bills.

“This year’s Climate Credit delivers meaningful reductions on energy bills,” said Funmi Williamson, SCE’s Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President of Customer Service. “It shows how programs designed to help California achieve a clean energy future can also provide tangible financial benefits for utility customers.”

Funding for the credit comes from California’s Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by requiring power plants, fuel providers and large industrial facilities that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution allowances.

The program was designed by the California Air Resources Board and the Climate Credit is implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission. Since the program began, more than $14 billion in utility bill credits have been distributed to California households and small businesses by SCE, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and other utilities across the state.

SCE also offers several bill assistance options for customers, such as:

• Monthly bill discounts of 30% (California Alternate Rates for Energy program) or 18% (Family Electric Rate Assistance program) or one-time bill assistance grants of up to $200 (Energy Assistance Fund) for income-qualified residential customers.

• Energy bill debt forgiveness of up to $8,000 in eligible past-due balances (Arrearage Management Plan) for income-qualified residential customers.

• The Medical Baseline Allowance program, which allows for additional daily energy consumption at the lowest rate available, to partially offset the cost of operating medical and mobility equipment for vulnerable customers.

• Payment arrangements to give residential and small business customers more time to pay their bills, including spreading payments out up to 24 months or extensions of up to 30 days.

• Online tools like Budget Assistant that let residential and small business customers track their energy usage in real time and project their next monthly bill.

For more information on SCE’s customer assistance options, visit sce.com/billhelp. Learn more about the Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program at cpuc.ca.gov.

About Southern California Edison

An Edison International (NYSE: EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240319757317/en/

Media Contact:

Media Relations, (626) 302-2255

News@sce.com

Source: Southern California Edison

FAQ

How much is the California Climate Credit for Southern California Edison's residential and small business customers?

The credit is $86 and will be applied to customers' April and October bills.

Where does the funding for the California Climate Credit come from?

The funding comes from California's Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program.

What is the purpose of the Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program?

The program aims to reduce GHG emissions by requiring power plants, fuel providers, and large industrial facilities to buy carbon pollution allowances.

What other bill assistance programs does SCE offer to customers?

SCE offers programs like the California Alternate Rates for Energy program, Family Electric Rate Assistance program, Energy Assistance Fund, Arrearage Management Plan, Medical Baseline Allowance program, and payment arrangements.