Simple Ways to Save Energy: Take Advantage of PG&E Programs and Tools to Manage Energy Costs

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) is offering flexible payment arrangements to assist customers facing higher energy bills due to a severe heat wave this summer. The recent heat wave caused energy usage to rise nearly 30% compared to last year. Customers have two payment options: spreading the balance over up to 12 months or delaying full payment.

Additionally, PG&E encourages customers to choose suitable rate plans and participate in various assistance programs to help manage costs during these challenging times.

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• None.

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• Increased energy usage by nearly 30% may indicate higher costs for customers, leading to potential financial strain.
• The summer heat wave has resulted in record energy consumption, creating challenges for both customers and the utility.

Flexible Payment Arrangements Available for Customers Struggling to Pay Energy Bills due to Recent Heat Wave, Higher-than-Normal Energy Use

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This summer ended up being one of the hottest in the state’s history with last month being the warmest month on record for several Central Valley cities. Historic high temperatures in many areas drove record energy use during the 10-day major heat wave earlier this month.

Preliminary usage data shows that on average, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers’ residential usage increased almost 30% the week of September 4^th over the same time last year.

PG&E is here to help customers manage impacts of higher-than-expected energy bills due to the heat wave with flexible payment arrangements. There are two payment plan options to choose from including installments to spread the balance over several months for up to 12 months, or an extension which lets customers pay the entire amount later.

Customers struggling to pay their bill can choose the option that works best for them by logging onto their online account or calling PG&E at 800-743-5000.

“A long stretch of extremely hot temperatures can cause energy bills to be considerably higher. We know no one wants higher-than-expected energy bills and we are here to ensure customers are equipped with the programs and tools they need to manage costs,” said Vincent Davis, Vice President of Customer Operations and Enablement at PG&E.

While customers can’t control the weather which has an impact on energy bills, there are factors customers do control:

• Choose the right rate plan for the household by utilizing PG&E’s personalized rate comparison tool.
• Enroll in free programs including Bill Forecast Alerts to receive notifications when the customer’s bill is expected to exceed an amount set by them and Budget Billing to spread energy costs evenly throughout the year.
• Sign up for income-qualified programs including the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program offering a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offering a monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Some customers may also qualify for the Energy Saving Assistance Program offering free improvements to make the home more efficient, safe and comfortable.
• Check eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program offering one-time payments to help pay household energy costs and the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) providing one-time financial assistance to qualified customers with past-due bills.
• Take simple steps every day by setting the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting, replace filters and close shades in the afternoon.

For more tips on how to save energy and manage costs, visit pge.com/summer.

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/20220921005852/en/

MEDIA RELATIONS:

415-973-5930

Source: PG&E Corporation

FAQ

What flexible payment options does PG&E offer for high energy bills?

PG&E offers two payment options: spread the balance over up to 12 months or delay the full payment.

How much did residential energy usage increase during the heat wave?

Residential energy usage increased by nearly 30% during the week of September 4 compared to the previous year.

What assistance programs does PG&E offer to help customers with high energy bills?

PG&E provides various assistance programs, including Bill Forecast Alerts, Budget Billing, and income-qualified programs like CARE and FERA.

When did the major heat wave occur that affected PG&E customers?

The major heat wave occurred earlier in September 2023, contributing to record energy usage.

What location does PG&E serve?

PG&E serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California.