What your SDG&E contract says

In short

This is a residential electricity supply agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), a Sempra subsidiary serving roughly 3.6 million people in San Diego and southern Orange County. SDG&E delivers electricity to your home and bills you monthly based on usage and your chosen rate plan. Like other California investor-owned utilities, SDG&E's rates are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), so rate changes go through a formal review process (but SDG&E consistently has some of the highest electricity rates in the country). SDG&E offers time-of-use plans, and if you have solar panels, net metering lets you earn credit for excess power. You can also switch to San Diego Community Power (SDCP) for your generation supply while keeping SDG&E for delivery.

What you agree to do

• You must pay your electric bill by the due date shown on your monthly statement.
• You must provide safe, unobstructed access to your electric meter for reading and maintenance.
• You must not tamper with, bypass, or interfere with the electric meter or SDG&E equipment.
• You must notify SDG&E before installing solar panels, batteries, or other distributed generation equipment.

What you can ask for

• You can switch between rate plans (tiered, time-of-use, or EV-specific plans) to find the best fit for your usage pattern.
• You can apply for the CARE or FERA discount programs if your household income qualifies (this can reduce your bill by 30-35%).
• You can switch to San Diego Community Power (SDCP) for electricity generation while keeping SDG&E for delivery.
• You can request a payment arrangement or extension if you are struggling to pay your bill.

Points worth knowing

• Among the highest electricity rates in the USSDG&E's residential rates are consistently among the most expensive in the country (often exceeding $0.40/kWh). CPUC-approved rate increases can push bills up significantly year over year.
• Disconnection for non-paymentIf you fall behind on your bill, SDG&E can disconnect your electricity after providing a 15-day notice. California law provides extra protections during extreme heat and for medically vulnerable customers.
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)During high wildfire-risk conditions (common in San Diego's backcountry), SDG&E can proactively shut off power with limited notice. SDG&E is not liable for losses during these events.
• Net metering policy changes under NEM 3.0If you have solar, the transition to NEM 3.0 significantly reduces the credit you receive for excess power sent to the grid compared to earlier net metering programs.
• Late payment surchargesSDG&E charges a 1.5% monthly late fee on unpaid balances. Combined with already-high rates, falling behind can become costly quickly.

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

CARE/FERA recertification

Every 2 years you must recertify your income eligibility for discount programs