Natural Gas Deregulation FAQs
Natural Gas Deregulation Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Understanding Deregulation
Q1. What is natural gas deregulation?
A. In 1991, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized core customers (residential and small business) to choose where they purchase their natural gas through CPUC Decision (D.) 91-02-040. This followed a 1990 pilot program (D.90-11-061) and was intended to foster competition, lower prices, and provide more consumer choice.
Q2. Who is affected by gas deregulation?
A. Deregulation applies to customers located in the service territories of PG&E, SoCalGas, SDG&E, and Southwest Gas. Only customers in these areas are eligible to choose a Core Transport Agent (CTA).
Choosing and Enrolling with a CTA
Q3. How do I get information about CTAs?
A. Visit the CPUC's List of Registered Core Transport Agents for CTA contact information, including websites and phone numbers. You may also consult the CPUC's CTA Complaint Tracking page and the CTA Cost Comparison Tool for pricing, service fees, and complaint trends.
Q4. How do I sign up with a CTA?
A. You can sign up via the CTA’s website, by phone, or by mail. After successful enrollment, you will receive a welcome package containing the Terms of Service, a Disclosure Statement, and a contract if applicable. Review the materials carefully to ensure you agreed only to the services provided.
Q5. How can I tell if a CTA is reputable?
A: All CTAs are required to meet baseline financial, technical, and operational standards as part of the CPUC’s registration process. To further assess a CTA’s reputation, you can review complaint trends on the CTA Complaint Tracking page. You may also find it helpful to ask friends, colleagues, or other customers about their experiences with a particular CTA.
Q6. Can I cancel service with a CTA?
A. Yes. Review your contract for the cancellation terms and any applicable penalties. After fulfilling your contract, you may switch to another CTA or return to utility service. If your CTA terminates service, your account will automatically return to your local utility.
Rates, Billing, and Low-Income Assistance
Q7. How will I be billed if I choose a CTA?
A. Billing depends on the arrangement between your utility and the CTA:
- Dual Billing – Separate bills from the utility and CTA.
- Consolidated Utility Billing – One bill from the utility that includes CTA charges.
- Consolidated CTA Billing – One bill from the CTA that includes utility charges.
Q8. Are there assistance programs for low-income customers?
A. Yes. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is available to eligible customers regardless of their gas supplier.
Emergencies and Complaints
Q9. Who do I contact for gas emergencies or outages?
A. Call your local utility company immediately:
- PG&E: 1-800-743-5000
- SDG&E: 1-800-411-7343 (residential) / 1-800-336-7343 (business)
- SoCalGas: 1-800-427-2200
- Southwest Gas: 1-877-860-6020
Q10. Who do I contact for general service issues or to file a complaint?
A. Start with your CTA. If unresolved, contact the CPUC's Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB) at 1-800-649-7570 or file an online complaint at: Utility Complaint.
If you have additional questions, please contact us via email at CTAinquiries@cpuc.ca.gov.