What your PG&E contract says

In short

This is a residential electricity supply agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. PG&E delivers electricity to your home through their power lines, and you pay monthly based on how much you use. Your rate depends on which plan you pick (some charge more during peak hours (like evenings) and less at night). The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees PG&E's rates, so they can't just raise prices whenever they want (but they can and do request increases regularly). If you don't pay, they can shut off your power after giving you notice.

What you agree to do

• You must pay your electric bill each month by the due date shown on your statement.
• You must keep safe access to your meter so PG&E can read it.
• You must notify PG&E if you notice any damage to electrical equipment on your property.
• You must not tamper with or bypass the electric meter.

What you can ask for

• You can switch to a different rate plan at any time without penalty.
• You can enroll in the CARE or FERA program for a discount if your household income qualifies.
• You can switch to a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) for your electricity generation while keeping PG&E delivery.
• You can request a payment arrangement if you're having trouble paying your bill.
• You can dispute any charge on your bill and request a formal review by PG&E.

Points worth knowing

• They can change rates with CPUC approvalPG&E regularly files rate increase requests with the California Public Utilities Commission. These increases are often approved, and your bill can go up significantly (sometimes multiple times per year).
• Service disconnection for non-paymentIf you don't pay your bill, PG&E can disconnect your electricity after sending you a 15-day notice. During extreme heat events, California law provides some extra protections.
• Estimated billing if meter can't be readIf PG&E can't access your meter, they'll estimate your usage and bill you based on that estimate. You could end up paying more or less than what you actually used.
• Late payment chargesPG&E charges a 1.5% monthly late fee on unpaid balances. This can add up quickly if you fall behind.
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)During high fire-risk conditions, PG&E can proactively shut off power to your area with limited notice. You have no recourse for losses during these shutoffs.

Dates and deadlines

Monthly billing cycle

Bill arrives monthly, payment due within 19 days of the statement date

Disconnection notice period

15 days after a past-due notice before service can be shut off

Rate plan changes

You can switch rate plans once every 12 months (some plans allow more frequent changes)