#United States #California #Oakland #Pacific Gas and Electric #FERA

PG&E Expands Electric Discount Program to More Customers

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has recently announced a significant expansion of its Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program, allowing over 150,000 new customers to qualify for an 18% discount on their monthly electric bills. The newly revised eligibility criteria now include one- and two-person households, a step aimed at extending vital support to more Californians. Previously, the program only catered to households with three or more members.

New Eligibility Guidelines
The expansion comes as part of the state legislature's approval of Senate Bill 1130 in 2024, which redefined the eligibility framework for the FERA discounts. This transformation is a strategic move to assist those who may struggle to meet their energy costs, particularly amid rising living expenses. The income threshold set for eligibility allows individual households with an income of up to $52,875 to apply for this essential financial relief.

Vincent Davis, PG&E's Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, emphasized the positive impact this change could have. “Expanding the criteria for FERA discounts can provide meaningful savings to more households,” he stated, encouraging eligible customers to apply. During the previous year, over 39,000 FERA participants collectively saved more than $21 million, with an average monthly saving of over $45.

Additional Assistance Programs
The FERA program isn’t the only avenue of support available for income-eligible customers. PG&E also offers several concurrent programs aimed at providing financial relief:

• - California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): This program offers a more substantial discount of 20% or more on both gas and electricity bills, targeted at those with lower income levels than those qualifying for FERA.
• - Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH): A one-time credit of up to $300 is offered to eligible customers who have a past-due balance.
• - Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Funded by federal resources, this initiative provides a one-time payment of up to $1,500 to assist low-income families in settling overdue bills, ensuring they can keep their homes heated or cooled throughout the year.
• - Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): This program offers free energy-savings improvements to participating customers, enhancing their homes' efficiency and potentially lowering future bills.
• - Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): This debt forgiveness program supports residential customers who find it challenging to keep up with unpaid bills.
• - Medical Baseline: Aimed at those with specific medical needs, this initiative offers reduced bills for customers reliant on power for particular health-related devices.

Tools for Managing Energy Costs
Beyond financial assistance programs, PG&E also encourages customers to explore avenues for improving their energy efficiency. By investing in energy-efficient materials and tools, households could save substantially on their annual energy expenses. PG&E offers a DIY tool kit to help customers build their own energy efficiency toolkit, allowing them to make necessary improvements to their homes.

Additionally, customers are urged to utilize PG&E’s innovative tools such as the Savings Finder for identifying optimal energy rates, and the Budget Billing program for managing monthly payments effectively. Knowledge and strategies for these options can be found on the PG&E website.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is a prominent energy provider in Northern and Central California, serving more than sixteen million residents across approximately 70,000 square miles. They remain committed to supporting community members in need by offering essential programs designed to alleviate energy costs and promote sustainability through responsible energy consumption.

For more details about the expansions and available programs, customers can explore PG&E’s informational resources on their official website or contact the FERA program directly at 1-877-660-6789.