CPUC Reminds PG&E's Small- and Medium-Sized Business Customers of Time-of-Use Rates Coming in November

The CPUC reminded small- and medium-sized business customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) that new pricing plans will be in effect in November, enabling businesses to save money by shifting the times in which they use the most electricity.

As PG&E begins to contact small- and medium-sized businesses about the new rate plans, the CPUC offers this reminder to businesses that starting in November, conserving energy during the afternoon can save on electric bills. The CPUC has emphasized the need to transition non-residential customers to time-of-use rates in order to better align prices with the real cost of producing electricity. Under time-of-use pricing, costs are lower when the demand for energy is also low - typically during mornings, evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays. Conversely, rates are higher during periods of high demand - typically afternoons.

In ongoing proceedings before the CPUC, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric have proposed to transition non-residential customers to time-of-use rates in October 2012 and March 2013, respectively. Many large commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers of all of the state's investor-owned utilities already utilize time-of-use rate plans.

Small- and medium-sized business customers of PG&E are encouraged to call the utility's dedicated Time-Varying Pricing information line at 800-987-4923, or visit www.pge.com/tvp for more information.

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CPUC and Fontana Chapter of AARP Join to Educate

The CPUC attended a meeting of the Fontana chapter of the AARP to speak with senior citizens and share information about the role of the CPUC and its consumer programs.

The CPUC discussed the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program, summer readiness, energy efficiency, how to take charge of phone service, understanding phone bills, slamming and cramming, how to file a complaint with the CPUC, and more.

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CPUC Approves Carmel River Reroute and San Clemente Dam Removal Project

The CPUC has approved California-American Water Company’s (Cal-Am) request to implement the joint ratepayer/public funded Carmel River Reroute and San Clemente Dam Removal Project in order to eliminate the Dam’s seismic safety hazard, provide comprehensive restoration of the natural character and function of the valley bottom, and restore steelhead fish passage.

The project is expected to cost $83 million in partnership with the California State Coastal Conservancy and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Of the $83 million, Cal-Am will incur $49 million, and the Conservancy will secure $34 million in public funds, $19.5 million of which has been committed or nearly committed.

The project will consist of a permanent bypass around a portion of the Carmel River by cutting a channel between the Carmel River and San Clemente Creek, upstream of the Dam. The bypassed portion of the Carmel River will be used as a disposal site for the accumulated sediment, and the Dam will be removed.

Cal-Am’s funding of the project will be paid through a surcharge on customer bills over the next 20 years. Cal-Am estimates the surcharge will be approximately 6.7 percent, or $2.55 per month for an average residential customer. The first tier of residential rates will remain intact with no surcharge.

The project is expected to begin in September 2012 and be completed three years later.

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