As National and Global Events Cause the Cost of Natural Gas to Increase, PG&E Takes Steps to Reduce Impacts and Offers Ways for Customers to Save on Their Energy Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E, NYSE: PCG) warns customers about rising natural gas prices this winter, urging them to prepare for increased heating costs. The company passes on natural gas costs without markup and employs strategies like purchasing gas at lower prices and using storage facilities to mitigate price volatility. PG&E offers energy-saving tips to help customers manage costs, such as lowering thermostat settings and using energy-efficient products. For assistance, customers can enroll in discount programs and receive free energy upgrades.

Positive

• Implementing strategies to purchase natural gas at lower prices.
• Using gas storage facilities to manage costs for winter months.
• Providing energy-saving tips that can potentially lower customer bills.
• Offering programs to assist low-income customers with monthly discounts.

Negative

• Rising natural gas commodity prices may lead to higher costs for customers.

Winter is Almost Here: Act Now to Prepare and Save Energy this Season

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Winter chills mean the heating system and water heaters in your home may need to work harder, which ultimately impacts pocketbooks. And, this year, the commodity price of natural gas is rising across the nation and around the world, which will affect all of us. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) passes through the commodity cost of natural gas to our customers with no markup.

“We use various strategies throughout the year to secure favorable pricing for the natural gas we purchase for our customers, in addition to offering a variety of programs to help customers manage energy costs. As we continue to attempt to alleviate the price swings, we encourage our customers to take extra steps now that will help them get ready and save all winter long,” said Marlene Santos, PG&E’s Chief Customer Officer.

PG&E takes several steps to reduce the impact of volatile gas prices on our customers. These include:

• Buying natural gas at times throughout the year when it’s less expensive,
• Using our gas storage facilities like McDonald Island, as well as other independently owned gas storage fields in northern California to store less expensive gas purchases for cold winter months, when prices and customer demand are higher,
• Contracting for pipeline access to multiple gas production geographic areas to secure lower priced gas, and
• Engaging in financial hedging to limit the impact of price volatility on customer bills.

PG&E wants customers to be aware of ways to save energy and money as we head into the winter months. PG&E offers the following tips to safely reduce the cost of keeping warm.

• Lower thermostat: Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees (health permitting) during the cooler months can save up to 15% on energy bills. Save about 2% on your heating bill for each degree the thermostat is lowered (if the turndown lasts a good part of the day or night).
  
  
• Control water temperature: Set your water heater thermostat at 120°F or lower. This way you'll reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain your hot water by not overheating it.
  
  
• Stop drafts in their tracks: Save up to 10% on annual energy costs by reducing drafts and saving energy by sealing holes around pipes, wiring, vents or recessed lights with foam or caulk.
  
  
• Keep warm air moving: Reverse your fan in winter to produce a gentle updraft, forcing warm air near the ceiling down into the living space.
  
  
• Don’t close vents in unused rooms: Closed registers force the same amount of air through other ducts. This builds pressure in the system and makes the HVAC work harder to distribute air where needed.
  
  
• Invest in energy-saving products: Install a programmable thermostat to save about $180 annually in energy costs.
  
  
• Enroll in a monthly discount program: Qualifying customers can apply for a monthly discount through the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE)
  
  
• Get help making energy-saving improvements: Qualifying customers can receive free energy efficiency upgrades through the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

For more tips on saving energy this winter, visit www.pge.com/winter.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211117006135/en/

MEDIA RELATIONS:

415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

How is PG&E addressing rising natural gas prices for customers?

PG&E is implementing purchasing strategies and using gas storage to mitigate price volatility, passing on costs without markup.

What energy-saving tips does PG&E recommend for winter?

PG&E recommends lowering thermostat settings, controlling water heater temperature, sealing drafts, and using energy-saving products.

What financial assistance programs does PG&E offer?

PG&E offers the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) for qualifying customers to receive monthly discounts.

What impact do rising natural gas prices have on PG&E customers?

Customers may experience higher heating costs due to the rise in natural gas commodity prices.