SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
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
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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.
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Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company