Hearing for PG&E recovery bond application

Para más información en cómo este cambio impactará su factura, llame al 1-800-660-6789 •

詳情請致電 1-800-893-9555

NOTICE OF EVIDENTIARY HEARING FOR PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY’S RECOVERY BOND APPLICATION (A.20-04-023)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) may hold an evidentiary hearing at the time and place below regarding PG&E’s application A.20-04-023.

At this hearing, PG&E, consumer advocacy groups, and other parties to this proceeding testify before a CPUC Administrative Law Judge regarding PG&E’s request. The public can attend and listen to the proceeding but are not allowed to testify.

Where and when will the Evidentiary Hearing be held?

In compliance with the Governor’s directive and CPUC’s ongoing efforts to protect customers and community members, the CPUC may determine that there will be no in-person physical location for the evidentiary hearing and may instead hold the hearing through other means such as via internet or via phone participation. Please monitor the CPUC’s daily calendar (located at www.cpuc.ca.gov) for any changes relating to the evidentiary hearing and the manner in which it will be held.

Why is PG&E requesting this rate increase?

On April 30, 2020, PG&E filed its Recovery Bond application with the CPUC, proposing to finance $7.5 billion in recovery bonds after emerging from bankruptcy. The legislature approved Senate Bill 901, authorizing the issuance of bonds to fund the costs of certain catastrophic wildfires. While the recovery bond will result in a new charge on customer bills, PG&E is also proposing a credit to customers. The credit, funded by shareholders, is expected to equal the charge, which would result in no impact to customer bills.

How could this affect my monthly electric rates?

Starting in 2021, customers will see a charge for the recovery bonds as well as a credit from PG&E in the same amount. The charge and credit would occur simultaneously, meaning customers are expected to experience no change in their monthly bill amount as a result of the bonds.

Based on rates in effect in May, the bill for a typical residential nonCARE customer using 500 kWh per month would increase from $127.40 to $129.80, or 1.9%. However, as noted in this notice, customers are expected to see a credit on the bill in the same amount as the increase.

Direct Access (DA) and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) are unbundled electric service customers who only receive electric transmission and distribution services from PG&E. On average, these customers would see an increase of 3.7%. However, as noted in this notice, customers are also expected to see a credit on the bill in the same amount as the increase.

Other Departing Load (DL) customers do not receive electric generation, transmission or distribution services from PG&E. However, these customers are required to pay certain charges by law or CPUC decisions in the form of exit fees. DL customers who depart after approval will see a charge for the recovery bonds, as well as a credit from PG&E in the same amount, in a manner determined by the CPUC. DL customers who depart prior to approval will not be impacted.

Actual impacts will vary depending on usage. 

How does the rest of this process work?

This application has been assigned to a CPUC Administrative Law Judge who will consider proposals and evidence presented during the formal hearing process. The Administrative Law Judge will issue a proposed decision that may adopt PG&E’s application, modify it, or deny it. Any CPUC Commissioner may sponsor an alternate decision with a different outcome. The proposed decision, and any alternate decisions, will be discussed and voted upon by the CPUC Commissioners at a public CPUC Voting Meeting.

Parties to the proceeding are currently reviewing PG&E’s application, including the Public Advocates Office, which is an independent consumer advocate within the CPUC that represents customers to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. For more information about the Public Advocates Office, please call 1-415-703-1584, email [email protected], or visit PublicAdvocates.cpuc.ca.gov.

Where can I get more information?

Contact PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Recovery Bond Application (A.20-04-023)
P.O. Box 7442
San Francisco, CA 94120

Phone: 1-800-743-5000

TTY: 1-800-652-4712

Contact CPUC

• Please visit cpuc.ca.gov/A2004023Comment to submit a comment about this proceeding on the CPUC Docket Card. Here you can view documents and other public comments related to this proceeding.
• Your participation by providing your thoughts on PG&E’s request can help the CPUC make an informed decision.
• If you have questions about CPUC processes, you may contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office.

Public Advisor’s Office

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102

Email:             [email protected]

Phone: 1-866-849-8390

Please reference Recovery Bond Application A.20-04-023 in any communications you have with the CPUC regarding this matter.