SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
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/
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170301005374/en/
Source: PG&E Corporation