01/20/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/20/2022 10:20
Here are Ways to Reduce Winter Energy Bills and Get Help Paying Them
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- By taking advantage of some simple, realistic steps, customers can reduce energy bills this winter. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) knows some customers may be experiencing higher energy bills this winter.
A decline in natural gas production during the initial months of the pandemic, combined with drought conditions reducing hydroelectric generation is impacting the cost of natural gas around the nation. Natural gas prices from November 2021 to January 2022 are 90% higher than last winter. PG&E passes the cost of energy purchases - both gas and electricity - to its customers with no mark-up, meaning that what customers pay for fuel costs is what PG&E pays.
"We take a number of actions to reduce the impact of volatile natural gas prices but recognize even these proactive measures can't prevent a spike like this from impacting a customer's monthly bill. That's why we are encouraging customers to act now by making simple changes, checking available rate options, and ensuring they are aware of and participating in financial assistance programs, if eligible," said Aaron August, PG&E's Vice President of Business Development and Customer Engagement.
Ways to Save Energy this Winter
Heating can account for more than 40% of energy costs. Here are ways to make sure that you're getting the most from the money you spend on heating your home or business:
Additionally, PG&E continues to work with customers who are having difficulty paying their bills.
In September 2021, PG&E began automatically enrolling all residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days in new extended payment arrangements. Customers are being automatically enrolled on an ongoing basis based on eligibility through September 2022.
As of December 2021, nearly 1 million PG&E customers were enrolled in the payment plans as well as the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP),both focused on helping customers reduce unpaid balances over time and protecting those enrolled from disconnection once the process restarts later this year.
Get Help with Past Due Bills
Customers struggling to pay their bills can learn more about the following programs:
Ways to Reduce Future Energy Bills
Customers may also qualify for several programs at once and can start applying or enrolling now.
For more information please don't hesitate to call (800) 743-5000 or log onto pge.com/covid19.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
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MEDIA RELATIONS:
415-497-2222
Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company