With more residential customers home due to COVID-19, residential electricity usage has increased by 15 to 20 percent as compared to last year during the same period. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is assisting customers who may face higher-than normal utility bills. 

The California Climate Credit will help to reduce April energy bills. The credit is usually provided on customer bills twice a year, in April and October. The first will be applied to the April 2020 bills to help offset higher bills due to increased usage and will vary from $20 to $60 depending on the utility. In addition, the CPUC is discussing pushing up the second credit so that it would be split evenly in the May and June bills, rather than later in the year.

The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) discount program provides a 20-35 percent discount on utility bills. Many people who have recently lost their job due to COVID-19 will be eligible for the program. Please call your utility and ask to be enrolled, for more information visit the CARE program information website.

Please know during this time, that vegetation clearance is an essential function that must continue to ensure fire prevention. Utilities will not be shut off due to non-payment during the current COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit the customer assistance programs webpage.