SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that it is
introducing a new electric Time-of-Use rate plan to promote more
efficient energy usage and provide customers with additional rate plan
options. Starting in April 2018, approximately 150,000 residential
electric customers across PG&E’s service area will transition into the
new rate plan, unless they choose another rate plan. This is the first
phase of a multi-year, statewide effort to create a smarter energy
future and healthier environment while balancing the need to keep
customer rates affordable.
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Starting in April, 150,000 PG&E customers will transition to a new Time-of-Use rate that makes when they use electricity as important as how much they use. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Time-of-Use rate plans support a cleaner and more reliable energy grid
by encouraging customers to shift electricity usage to the times of day
when demand is lower (“off-peak”) and renewable resources, like solar
power, are more plentiful. Most Californians are currently on a tiered
rate plan where the price of electricity increases as more energy is
used. On a Time-of-Use rate plan, when customers use electricity
is as important as how much they use. By shifting some usage,
such as running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours,
customers will benefit from lower pricing and help increase our state’s
reliance on clean energy.
Customers transitioning to the new Time-of-Use rate plan will be
notified by mail, and will be provided with additional information and
tools. The majority of customers on the new plan will either see smaller
bills or a small annual bill increase, assuming no change in energy
usage.
PG&E will offer bill protection for the first 12 months to allow
customers to try the new Time-of-Use plan risk-free. During that period,
if customers pay more than they would have on their former rate plan,
PG&E will credit them with the difference.
“PG&E is committed to working together with our customers to ensure they
understand how small shifts in when they use energy can make a big
difference for the environment,” said Laurie Giammona, Senior Vice
President and Chief Customer Officer. “We recognize that customers use
energy differently and will provide information and tools to give
customers greater control over how they use energy and help them choose
the rate plan that best meets their needs.”
The new Time-of-Use plan offers lower priced energy 19 hours each day,
while charging higher rates between the peak hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
While customers who take no action will transition into the new
Time-of-Use plan in April, they will have the option of keeping their
current plan or choosing an alternate rate plan.
To ensure that customers included in this first phase understand the new
Time-of-Use rate plan and their options, PG&E will provide:
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Notifications regarding the new rate plan and other options available,
starting in early January.
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Personalized rate comparisons for customers to compare available rates
and choose a plan.
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Bill protection for the first 12 months to allow customers to try the
new Time-of-Use plan risk-free.
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Tools and programs such as Budget Billing and Energy Alerts, as well
as seasonal communications and tips, to help customers manage energy
use and stay on budget.
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Dedicated rate specialists at 1-866-743-7945 to answer questions and
help customers choose a rate plan.
PG&E is working with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
and other energy companies on this statewide effort. Customers for the
first phase were randomly selected from across the service area to
represent diversity in climate, household size and energy usage, among
other factors. PG&E will work with and learn from this group of
customers to help inform and plan for the full rollout of the new
Time-of-Use rate plan to all other eligible residential customers,
starting either in late 2019 or late 2020, pending a decision by the
CPUC.
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.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180108006733/en/
Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company