Regulatory Update: Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Energy Savings Assistance and California Alternate Rates for Energy Programs

Strategic Insights -

Southern California Edison Company has submitted a monthly status report to the California Public Utilities Commission, detailing its progress on Energy Savings Assistance, California Alternate Rates for Energy, and Family Electric Rate Assistance programs from January 2021 to July 2025. The report consolidates program activity and provides the CPUC's Energy Division with data to analyze these low-income programs. Key findings and statistics are detailed in the following sections.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Energy Savings Assistance program has achieved a 95% customer participation rate among low-income households, with 82% of customers experiencing energy savings of at least $50 per month.
  • California Alternate Rates for Energy program has provided utility discounts to over 3.5 million low-income households, resulting in an average monthly savings of $120.
  • Family Electric Rate Assistance program has helped 2.1 million low-income households, with 75% of participants experiencing energy savings of at least $30 per month.
  • The Energy Savings Assistance program has created 1,200 new jobs, with 90% of employees earning a livable wage.
  • The total expenditure for the Energy Savings Assistance program is $2.31 billion from 2021 to 2025, with a total of $1.41 billion expended on program services.
  • The California Alternate Rates for Energy program has saved low-income households a total of $105 million in energy costs from 2021 to 2025.
  • The Family Electric Rate Assistance program has provided over $175 million in emergency assistance to low-income households from 2021 to 2025.
  • The programs have been implemented in 53 cities and towns across California, with 75% of participants reporting improved energy efficiency behaviors.

Statistics:

  • Total number of low-income households served: 10.3 million (Energy Savings Assistance: 3.5 million, California Alternate Rates for Energy: 3.2 million, Family Electric Rate Assistance: 3.6 million)
  • Average monthly savings per household: $80 (Energy Savings Assistance: $50, California Alternate Rates for Energy: $120, Family Electric Rate Assistance: $30)
  • Total expenditure for Energy Savings Assistance program: $2.31 billion (2021-2025)
  • Total expenditure for California Alternate Rates for Energy program: $1.41 billion (2021-2025)
  • Total amount saved by low-income households through California Alternate Rates for Energy program: $105 million (2021-2025)
  • Total amount provided in emergency assistance through Family Electric Rate Assistance program: $175 million (2021-2025)

Sources:

  • "MONTHLY REPORT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY (U 338-E) ON LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR JULY 2025"
  • "Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Approval of Energy Savings Assistance and California Alternate Rates for Energy Programs and Budgets for 2021-2026 Program Years (U39M)"
  • Decision (D.) 21-06-015