SAN FRANCISCO
Thanks to California Climate Credit, PG&E residential customers will see lower bills this month
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) residential customer bills will be lower this month thanks to the California Climate Credit.
The credit created by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is part of the state’s efforts to fight climate change. The credit will lower bills by $41.82 for PG&E residential customers receiving both natural gas and electric service this month. For natural gas-only residential customers the credit will be $24.62, and for electric-only residential customers, the credit will be $17.20.
California requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits from auctions managed by the California Air Resources Board. The Climate Credit is customers’ share of the payments from the state’s program.
In 2020, the CPUC accelerated the distribution of the Climate Credit in response to increased at-home energy usage due to the Governor’s March 19, 2020, stay-at-home order. This year, the CPUC returned the distribution of the electric residential credit to the standard twice-annual April and October schedule.
Customers do not need to do anything to receive the credit, it will automatically appear as a line item “CA Climate Credit” or “California Climate Credit” on their bill with the amount of the credit.
Though the credit will offset bills this month, PG&E recognizes some customers continue to struggle financially as lingering impacts of the pandemic remain.
For Customers with past-due balances: ‘We’re here to help’
As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic start to subside, PG&E reminds customers with past-due balances to explore available financial-assistance programs now, before the emergency customer protections put in place during the pandemic end on June 30, 2021. In place since March 2020, these emergency customer protections included suspending service disconnections for customers with unpaid bills.
Customers are encouraged to act now and not wait until protections expire if they are behind on payments. Numerous programs, tools and tips are available. Please call us today at (800) 743-5000 if you have an outstanding balance. Translated support in over 250 additional languages is available at that phone number.
We have been working with customers with past-due balances and will continue these efforts months after the protections expire. Since March 2020, more than 1.6 million payment plans have been created for residential and commercial customers.
Proactive contact with customers during the pandemic has saved customers more than $5 million just by changing their rate plan.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
AB 1456 passes through the Assembly Higher Education Committee
Last Thursday, the Assembly Higher Education Committee passed AB 1456 (Medina and McCarty) in a 10-0 bipartisan vote. This bill modernizes the 65 year-old Cal Grant program to reflect today’s student and workforce needs. The legislation, after months of development by a broad cross-section of students, higher education segment leaders and stakeholders, simplifies and expands the current Cal Grant system to make California’s financial aid system more accessible and equitable for students who need support the most.
As we pass the one-year mark of the coronavirus pandemic, students need our support now more than ever. They are counting on financial aid to help them pay for college after suffering significant financial and human losses this past year. COVID-19 and the ensuing economic challenges have only heightened financial pressures being experienced by students. The outdated financial aid system in California must adapt to meet the needs of the students of now, and we cannot afford to wait.
With AB 1456 utilizing the Cal Grant Equity Framework that eliminates numerous barriers to aid, more than 280,000 additional students would be eligible for Cal Grant awards, including low-income students, student-parents, and returning learners. Cal Grant awards will also be restructured to better meet students’ needs while maintaining existing levels of support for middle-class families.
“The time has come to make much needed changes to the Cal Grant program to better serve the hundreds of thousands of students who are left out of the program today because they delayed starting their college education. We desperately need to grow talent from every zip code in the state, irrespective of their economic means,” said Marlene Garcia, Executive Director. “The Cal Grant Equity framework, included in AB 1456, will greatly expand college attainment in California and rebuild a stronger and more inclusive 21st century economy.”
AB 1456 would streamline the Cal Grant program, remove access barriers, open up eligibility to more students, and align state and federal financial aid policies. The bill has overwhelming support from students, business and workforce leaders, advocates, and equity proponents.
AB 1456 will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, while investments towards financial aid will also be considered in the Budget Committees for both the Assembly and Senate.
—Submitted
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
