February 2010 Bill Inserts

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Each month, PG&E offers important information on rebates, saving energy and safety in printed inserts that accompany your bill. Now, access this information online whenever you wish.

• Lower your thermostat this winter and earn a bill credit
  With PG&E's Winter Gas Savings program, you can save as much as 20 percent.
  
  We know with the tough economic times, managing your energy bill can be difficult. That’s why we want to introduce you to our Winter Gas Savings program. It’s an easy way to save as much as 20 percent on your winter gas bill.
  
  Here’s how the Winter Gas Savings program works:
  

  • PG&E customers are automatically enrolled.
  • Simply reduce your gas usage by 10 percent or more in January and February and receive a 20 percent credit on your bill this spring.
  • If your gas savings is below 10 percent, you’ll receive a one-to-one credit (e.g., save 5 percent and earn a 5 percent credit).
  • The more you reduce, the more you earn.

  
  With our online tips, tools and resources, conserving gas can be easier than you ever imagined. Simply go to our interactive Web site, where you can:
  

  • Print a list of more than a dozen gas-saving tips for every area of your home.
  • Download a desktop tool that delivers daily tips.
  • Check out a savings calculator that highlights small adjustments that can result in big savings.
  
  
  • Send a talking appliance-gram to friends and family asking them to save, too.

  
  Visit www.pge.com/wintergassavings and start saving today.
• Simple safety measures to ensure reliable gas service
  Pipelines offer the safest and most reliable way to transport natural gas to your home, your workplace and your community. PG&E is committed to the safe operation of its pipelines. As a part of our commitment, we routinely patrol and monitor our pipelines and also conduct internal and external inspections. You can help. See reverse side of this insert or visit www.pge.com/safety for important safety tips.
  
  Call before you dig
  The single greatest cause of pipeline accidents is damage from excavation and outside forces. If you plan on doing any digging, augering or moving the earth in any way, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or repairing or installing irrigation lines, please call Underground Service Alert (USA) by dialing 811 at least two working days before you begin. This free service will notify underground utilities in the area of your planned work. PG&E will locate and mark our underground gas and electric facilities.
  
  Signs of a gas leak: Don’t rely solely on your nose
  The warning signs of a gas leak could be a rotten-egg smell, dirt spraying in the air, a hissing sound, continual bubbling in a pond or creek or plants that seem to be dying for no reason.
  
  If you suspect a gas leak:
  

  • Leave the area immediately and move to a safe location. Dial 911 and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000
  • Warn others to stay away
  • Do not attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire or stop the flowing gas
  • Do not try to operate pipeline valves
  • Unless you are a safe distance away from the suspected leak, do not light a match, start an engine, use a home or cell phone or operate electric devices such as switches, door bells, radios, televisions, lights, appliances and garage openers

  
  Recognize transmission pipeline markers
  Transmission pipelines transport high volumes of natural gas. Markers are used to show their approximate location but do not indicate the depth of the pipeline. Not all pipelines follow a straight path between two markers. The name and contact information of the pipeline operator are indicated on the marker. Visit www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov to view a list of pipeline operators in your area.
• Agricultural Customers: You may save money by selecting an alternate electric rate schedule
  The electric rate schedules available to agricultural customers are summarized below. Compare your current rate schedule, found at the beginning of the Electric Account Detail section of your Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) bill, with the ones listed below. Detailed gas and electric rate schedule information is available at www.pge.com/rateoptions.
  
  A free rate analysis is available to you
  Contact your local PG&E business representative or call PG&E’s Agricultural Center at 1-877-311-3276 (FARM) to request a free electric rate analysis, rate schedule change, or additional rate option information. You may also do your own rate analysis online at www.pge.com/mybusiness.
  
  RATE SCHEDULES
  
  AG-1: This schedule is not available to customers whose meter registers a maximum demand of 200 kilowatts (kW) or more for three consecutive months. Customers who have low annual operating hours (generally less than 500 hours) and who are unable to minimize their use of electricity during the summer weekdays (May 1 through October 31) between noon and 6 p.m. might benefit from this rate schedule.
  
  A Time-of-Use (TOU) rate may still be the best choice even if you need to run equipment from noon to 6 p.m., so please review the TOU rate options below.
  
  The TOU schedules listed below may save you money if you are able to shift your hours of energy usage. A TOU meter is required for service on all TOU schedules. If a TOU meter must be installed to meet this requirement, the installation will generally occur within four weeks of your request. There is no charge for the meter installation; however, meter access is required at all times.
  
  AG-4: This schedule is for customers with moderate annual operating hours (generally 500 to 1,200 hours). Additional savings are possible if you can minimize electricity use on summer weekdays between noon and 6 p.m. Customers whose service has a single motor load of at least 35 horsepower (hp) or multiple motor load of at least 15 hp may save even more on the AG-4C Rate Schedule if they can minimize usage on summer and winter weekdays from 8:30 a.m. through 9:30 p.m.
  
  AG-5: This schedule is for customers with high annual operating hours (generally greater than 1,200 hours). Additional savings are possible if you can minimize electricity use on summer weekdays between noon and 6 p.m. Customers whose service has a single motor load of at least 35 hp or multiple motor load of at least 15 hp may save even more on the AG-5C Rate Schedule if they can minimize usage on summer and winter weekdays from 8:30 a.m. through 9:30 p.m.
  
  AG-R: This schedule is for customers who need to operate 24 hours a day for up to four consecutive days a week (Thu–Sun or Sat–Tue) during the summer but can minimize use from noon to 6 p.m. on the three remaining weekdays.
  
  AG-V: This schedule is for customers who can minimize electricity use on summer weekdays during any one of these time periods: 12–4 p.m.; 1–5 p.m.; or 2–6 p.m.
  
  NEM: Net Energy Metering Service* is for customers qualifying for agricultural rates who operate a photovoltaic (solar) and/or wind electric generating facility with a generating capacity of 1,000 kW or less on their premises that offsets all or part of their electric load while interconnected with PG&E. Agricultural customers must select one of the Agricultural Rate Schedules listed on front. Direct Access customers should contact their Energy Service Provider (ESP) for information about the ESP’s net metering program.
  
  NEMBIO: Net Energy Metering Service for Biogas Customer Generators* is a limited pilot program for bundled service customers on TOU rate schedules who operate an eligible Biogas Digester Electrical Generating Facility located on or adjacent to the customer’s premises that offsets all or part of their electric load (including the load from any of their qualifying dairy farm TOU accounts) while interconnected with PG&E. Agricultural customers must select one of the Agricultural Rate Schedules listed on front.
  
  *Net metering customers may be responsible for expenses for purchasing and installing metering that can perform net energy measurements.
  
  Customers interested in interconnecting more than one generator—each subject to different rate treatment (for example, NEMBIO and NEM solar) on a single account—can now do so. For more information, e-mail gen@pge.com.
  
  Check with Pacific Gas and Electric Company at www.pge.com/gen for current NEM and NEMBIO requirements or for more information.
  
  E-SRG is a new rate schedule available for renewable generators up to 1.5 megawatts. For more information, e-mail gen@pge.com.
  
  DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAMS
  
  E-CPP: The Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Program provides lower energy rates on non-CPP event days in exchange for higher rates on CPP event days. You can maximize your savings by reducing or shifting your energy usage away from the CPP event window on CPP event days. This program is only available to AG-4 and AG-5 (rate options C and F) customers.
  
  E-DBP: The Demand Bidding Program offers demand metered TOU participants incentives for reducing their power usage when contacted. AG-R and AG-V customers are not eligible.
  
  E-BIP: The Base Interruptible Program offers participants incentives for reducing their electric load down to a firm service level when contacted. AG-R and AG-V customers are not eligible.
  
  E-CBP: The Capacity Bidding Program offers participants incentives for reducing energy consumption by a nominated capacity amount when contacted.
  
  To see if a demand response program is right for you, please visit www.pge.com for additional program requirements and details.
  
  Please visit the Business Services section for energy-saving tips, safety messages, rebate programs for energy-efficient products and more. You can also obtain information on energy usage, billing history, rate comparison tools, energy outage and restoration status, bill detail, and account.
• Pacific Gas And Electric Company (PG&E) Application to Recover the Cost of Seismic Studies Recommended by the California Energy Commission (10-01-014)
  On January 15, 2010, PG&E filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requesting authority to establish a mechanism to allow PG&E to recover costs associated with performing additional seismic studies at and around Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) as recommended by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in their Commission Report, “An Assessment of California’s Nuclear Power Plants: AB 1632 Report.” The CEC recommendations propose updating the seismic studies at and around DCPP using three-dimensional geophysical seismic reflection mapping and other advanced techniques.
  
  This application asks for CPUC approval to establish a Diablo Canyon Seismic Study Balancing Account (DCSSBA) to record for future recovery all costs resulting from PG&E’s efforts to perform the additional seismic studies. Costs will be recorded to the DCSSBA as they are incurred and will include: (1) survey design; (2) marine 3-D seismic surveys; (3) on-shore 2-D seismic surveys; (4) ocean bottom seismometer deployment; and (5) project management support. PG&E estimates that its electric revenues to cover these costs will increase by $16.73 million over a three-year period beginning January 1, 2011. The largest portion of this increase will be collected in 2012 and will be approximately $11.78 million.
  
  Will rates increase as a result of this application?
  Yes, approval of this application will increase electric rates for bundled service customers (those who receive electric generation as well as transmission and distribution service from PG&E) by less than one percent. Using the 2012 (highest single year) revenue requirement of $11.78 million, the bundled system average rate will increase 0.1 percent in 2012, relative to current rates, and would not have a significant impact on individual customers’ rates.
  
  THE CPUC PROCESS
  
  The CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) will review this application. The DRA is an independent arm of the CPUC, created by the Legislature to represent the interests of all utility customers throughout the state and obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. The DRA has a multi-disciplinary staff with expertise in economics, finance, accounting and engineering. The DRA’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the CPUC. Other parties of record will also participate.
  
  The CPUC may hold evidentiary hearings where parties of record present their proposals in testimony and are subject to cross-examination before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). These hearings are open to the public, but only those who are parties of record can present evidence or cross-examine witnesses during evidentiary hearings. Members of the public may attend, but not participate in, these hearings.
  
  After considering all proposals and evidence presented during the hearing process, the ALJ will issue a draft decision. When the CPUC acts on this application, it may adopt all or part of PG&E’s request, amend or modify it or deny the application. The CPUC’s final decision may be different from PG&E’s proposed application filing.
  
  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
  
  For more details, call PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000.
  For TDD/TTY(speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712.
  
  If you have questions regarding the proposed application, please contact PG&E at the phone numbers noted above. If you would like a copy of the application and exhibits, you can write to PG&E at the address listed below:
  
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  Diablo Canyon Seismic Studies Balancing Account Application
  P.O. Box 7442
  San Francisco, CA 94120
  
  You may also contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor with comments or questions:
  
  Public Advisor’s Office
  505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2103
  San Francisco, CA 94102
  1-415-703-2074 or 1-866-849-8390 (toll free)
  TTY 1-415-703-5282, TTY 1-866-836-7825 (toll free)
  E-mail to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
  
  If you are writing a letter to the Public Advisor’s Office, please include the number of the application (10-01-014) to which you are referring. All comments will be circulated to the Commissioners, the assigned Administrative Law Judge and the Energy Division staff.
  
  A copy of PG&E’s Seismic Studies application and exhibits are also available for review at the California Public Utilities Commission: 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Monday–Friday 8am–noon.