Maximizing Summer Savings with PG&E's Assistance Programs and Simple Actions

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is providing customers with resources to stay safe, cool, and save on energy costs during the summer. Customers can check if they are on the lowest-cost rate plan, enroll in Budget Billing and Bill Forecast Alerts, and get a free personal energy coach through the HomeIntel program. PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate increases for the rest of 2025 and expects residential bills to be essentially flat for the rest of the year and decrease in 2026.

Title: PG&E Offers Summer Energy Savings Tools and Rate Plan Comparisons

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is providing customers with resources to stay safe, cool, and save on energy costs during the summer. Customers can check if they are on the lowest-cost rate plan, enroll in Budget Billing and Bill Forecast Alerts, and get a free personal energy coach through the HomeIntel program. PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate increases for the rest of 2025 and expects residential bills to be essentially flat for the rest of the year and decrease in 2026 [1].

Key Initiatives for Summer Energy Management

1. Rate Plan Comparison:
PG&E encourages customers to log into their online account and use the Rate Comparison tool to determine if they are on the lowest-cost rate plan for their home or business. By analyzing the last 12 months of energy usage, the tool helps customers identify potential savings without changing their energy consumption habits [1].

2. Budget Billing:
Budget Billing averages energy costs over the past 12 months to determine monthly payments, thereby helping customers avoid seasonal spikes and billing surprises [1].

3. Bill Forecast Alerts:
PG&E offers Bill Forecast Alerts to help customers anticipate and manage their energy bills more effectively [1].

4. HomeIntel Program:
HomeIntel provides a free personal energy coach and Smart Audit to customers who have lived in their homes for over a year and have a smart meter installed. This program offers customized energy-saving tips and strategies [1].

Savings Opportunities and Financial Assistance Programs

PG&E has identified significant savings potential for customers in Fresno County, one of the hottest climates in its service area. Analysis shows that more than 24,800 households could save a total of $13.4 million annually by switching to their lowest-cost rate [1].

PG&E also provides various financial assistance programs to help customers struggling with energy bills. These include:

- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Offers a monthly discount of 20% on gas and an average of about 35% on electric bills [1].
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: Provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity, regardless of household size [1].
- Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: Offers certain energy-saving improvements at no charge [1].
- PG&E Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH): Provides up to a $300 bill credit to help income-eligible customers with past due balances [1].
- PG&E Match My Payment Program: Offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000, for qualifying low-to moderate-income customers to pay past-due bills [1].
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federally funded assistance program that offers a one-time payment up to $1,500 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes [1].

Conclusion

By leveraging these tools and programs, PG&E customers can effectively manage their energy costs and ensure they are on the lowest-cost rate plan. The company's commitment to providing transparent and accessible information helps customers make informed decisions and save money during the summer months.

References

[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/PG-E-CORPORATION-13946/news/Compare-and-Save-Switching-Rate-Plan-May-Lower-PG-E-Customers-Bills-50472292/