Home utility use has gone up dramatically as people continue to shelter in place for the coronavirus. Now the California Public Utilities Commission is working to provide help to consumers who have lost their jobs and are having trouble paying the bills.
Customers should notice a cap and trade credit on their April bills. “For PG&E customers who receive both gas and electric service from PG&E, the combined will be about a $60 credit,” says CPUC executive director Edward Randolph.
This comes as residential utility bills have increased by an average of 15-20% in recent weeks. The program will be funded large polluters under the pre-existing cap and trade program.
Californians who have lost their jobs can also enroll in a bill protection program known as CARE, which can provide a 30% discount on their bills.
“We really do encourage anyone who has had their economic circumstances change recently due to loss of job to reach out to the utilities,” says Randolph.
PG&E has voluntarily stopped disconnecting service to customers who are behind on bills and the CPUC has ordered all utility companies to follow suit.