April 2012 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.

• Planting new trees this season?
  Be safe and know what's below.
  Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig.

• Make Earth Day, Every Day
  Visit www.pge.com/earthday
• Natural gas safety: Important pipeline information
  There's safety in knowledge. Natural gas is one of the most efficient, reliable and affordable sources of energy. Delivering it safely to customers is PG&E's highest responsibility.
  
  Visit www.pge.com/pipelinesafety or call us at 1-888-743-7431 if you need additional information not provided below.
  
  Gas pipeline locations
  PG&E operates natural gas distribution and transmission pipelines across California. Our distribution pipelines are located throughout neighborhoods and connect to homes and businesses.
  
  We offer a comprehensive online map showing our transmission pipelines at www.pge.com/pipelinelocations. You can view any location in our service area—your home, place of work or any other areas of interest—to see if transmission pipelines run nearby.
  
  Also, the National Pipeline Mapping System, www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/PublicViewer/, shows the location of all transmission pipelines in the United States, viewable by county, zip code or street address.
  
  Spot the signs of trouble
  PG&E regularly inspects all of our pipelines to check for possible leaks or other signs of damage. As an additional safety precaution, we also add a sulfur-like odor to natural gas. If you smell this distinctive "rotten egg" odor, move to a safe location and immediately call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
  
  But don't rely on your nose alone. Other signs of a possible gas leak can include dirt spraying into the air, continual bubbling in a pond or creek and dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area. And always pay attention to hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from underground or from a gas appliance.
  
  In case of emergency
  You can help prevent a natural gas pipeline fire. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and move to a safe location. Then call 911 to notify local police and fire and contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Warn others nearby to stay away from the area. Until you are a safe distance away, do not light a match or operate any device that might create a spark, including electric switches, doorbells, radios, televisions and garage door openers.
  
  Before you dig, know what's below
  Damage from excavation is a common cause of pipeline accidents. That's why you must always call 811 at least two working days before you dig—even in your own yard. Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service that will notify underground utility operators in the area of your planned work. PG&E will then locate and mark our underground gas and electric facilities.
  
  Always be aware of pipeline markers. Markers include an emergency number and indicate the need for extra care around a high-volume transmission line. These markers specify the approximate location, but not all pipelines follow a straight path between markers. If you or your contractor accidently digs into a gas pipeline, do not attempt to stop the flowing gas or extinguish any fire.
  
  Safety is PG&E's highest responsibility
  We monitor our gas pipeline operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we conduct regular inspections and surveys on pipelines.
  
  To find out more about our comprehensive safety and monitoring program, visit www.pge.com/pipelinesafety.
  
  If you have additional questions, or would like more information, please contact us at the numbers below:
  
  For assistance in English please call 1-888-743-7431
  Para ayuda en español por favor llame al 1-800-660-6789
  
  要用粵語/國語請求協助，請致電 1-800-893-9555
  Kung kailangang makipag-usap sa nakakasalita ng Tagalog, tumawag sa
  1-888-743-7431
• Proposition 65—Public Warning
  The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65, requires the governor to publish a list of chemicals "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. It also requires California businesses to warn the public quarterly of potential exposures to these chemicals that result from their operations.
  
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) uses chemicals in its operations that are "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
  
  For example, PG&E uses natural gas and petroleum products in its operations. PG&E also delivers natural gas to its customers. Petroleum products, natural gas and their combustion by-products contain chemicals "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
  
  Spot the signs of trouble
  PG&E regularly inspects all of our pipelines to check for possible leaks or other signs of damage. As an additional safety precaution, we also add a sulfur-like odor to natural gas. If you smell this distinctive "rotten egg" odor, move to a safe location and immediately call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
  
  But don't rely on your nose alone. Other signs of a possible gas leak can include dirt spraying into the air, continual bubbling in a pond or creek and dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area. And always pay attention to hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from underground.
  
  For more gas safety information, visit www.pge.com/safety.
  
  For additional information on this Proposition 65 warning, write to:
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  Proposition 65 Coordinator
  77 Beale Street, Mail Code B23H
  PO Box 770000
  San Francisco, CA 94177
• Notification of Application Filing by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for 2012 Rate Design Window (A.12-02-020)
  On February 29, 2012, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed its 2012 Rate Design Window (RDW) Application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The application proposes several rate design changes, described below, and submits reports and studies in compliance with previous Commission Decisions (D.11-05-047, D.10-02-032, and D.11-11-008).
  
  This application proposes to adjust residential electric baseline quantities to 50% of average usage (currently 55%), and for all-electric customers in the winter season, to 60% from current 65% level, as allowed by law. These changes will bring the current rate structures more in line with the cost it takes for PG&E to produce, procure and deliver safe and reliable electric service. In addition, PG&E proposes to modify the minimum bill charge that is calculated for customers with very low or no energy usage in any month. The proposed changes will make it more consistent with the minimum bill charge methodology adopted by the CPUC for another California utility.
  
  This application also proposes minor changes to PG&E's dynamic pricing rates, which are its Peak Day Pricing (PDP) rate for non-residential customers and its SmartRate program for residential customers. Both of these dynamic pricing rates are overlays on top of the basic underlying tariff, which introduce a very high price that is dispatched on a limited number of "event days" when temperatures (and thus energy usage loads) are high, in exchange for lower rates during all other hours of the year. Specifically, this application proposes to:
  
  

  • Ensure that the hours on event days when peak day prices are dispatched cover the period from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., aligning with the requirements of CPUC Decision 11-06-022.
  
  
  • Make minor changes to bring greater consistency and uniformity to the operating seasons, number of events per year, event triggers and day-ahead notice for PG&E's dynamic pricing programs.

  
  
  What impact will this application have on rates?
  
  Since this application proposes no change to the amount of total revenues collected by PG&E, the average residential rate will not change. However, some customers will see bill increases while others see bill decreases, depending upon their monthly usage levels, whether they are basic or all-electric service customers and in what climate zone they live. Many non-CARE customers (63 percent) will see an average bill increase of $1.95 per month; 21 percent of non-CARE customers will see an average bill decrease of $8.46 per month; and, 16 percent will see virtually no change. For customers enrolled in the CARE program, 84 percent will see an average bill increase of $1.25 per month, and 16 percent will see virtually no change.
  
  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
  
  To request a copy of the application and exhibits or for more details, call PG&E at
  1-800-743-5000. For TDD/TTY (speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712.
  
  You may request a copy of the application and exhibits by writing to:
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  2012 RDW Application
  P.O. Box 7442
  San Francisco, CA 94120
  
  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 may 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 may 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 application.
  
  If you would like to learn how you can participate in this proceeding or if you have comments or questions, you may contact the CPUC's Public Advisor as follows:
  
  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 or 1-866-836-7825 (toll free)
  Email 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 (12-02-020) 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 2012 RDW application and exhibits are also available for review at the California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–noon and on the CPUC's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc.
• Notification of Application Filing by Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Recover Costs Associated with Its Customer Data Access Application (A.12-03-002)
  What is the Customer Data Access Application?
  On July 28, 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Decision D. (11-07-056) which ordered Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric Company to file applications with the CPUC to provide third party access to a customer's energy usage data via the utility backhaul when authorized by the customer.
  
  On March 5, 2012, PG&E filed application 12-03-002 (Customer Data Access Project) with the CPUC to comply with the CPUC's order. Through its Customer Data Access Project, PG&E will develop a system that will allow third parties to access customer energy usage data once the third party has been authorized to do so by the customer. To implement this project, PG&E is requesting $19.4 million to be recovered from rates from 2013 through 2016.
  
  Will Electric Rates Increase?
  Yes, this request will result in a slight increase to electric rates for bundled service customers (those using electric generation, transmission and distribution service from PG&E) and for direct access and community choice aggregation customers (those purchasing electricity from non-PG&E suppliers). Approval of this application will increase bundled rates by less than one percent. Using the 2016 (highest single year) combined cost of $5.59 million, the bundled system average rate increase will be 0.05 percent, relative to current rates.
  
  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
  
  To request a copy of the application and exhibits or for more details, call PG&E at
  1-800-743-5000. For TDD/TTY (speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712.
  
  You may request a copy of the application and exhibits by writing to:
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  Customer Data Access Application
  P.O. Box 7442
  San Francisco, CA 94120
  
  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 may 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 may 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 application.
  
  If you would like to learn how you can participate in this proceeding or if you have comments or questions, you may contact the CPUC's Public Advisor as follows:
  
  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 or 1-866-836-7825 (toll free)
  Email 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 (12-03-002) 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 Customer Data Access Application and exhibits is also available for review at the California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – noon, and the CPUC's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc.
• Notice of Public Participation Hearing Regarding Pacific Gas And Electric Company's Proposal for an Economic Development Rate for 2013-2017 Application 12-03-001
  THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (CPUC) IS INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU.
  
  Your public comments on the Economic Development Rate proceeding are important to the CPUC. Two Public Participation Hearings (PPHs) are scheduled for the location and times listed below. A CPUC Administrative Law Judge assigned to this proceeding will be present to listen to and take all public comments on the formal record.
  
  Tuesday, May 8, 2012
  2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
  Fresno City Hall Council Chambers
  2600 Fresno Street
  Fresno, California 9372
  
  The Fresno City Hall Council Chambers is wheelchair accessible. If you need interpreters for language or for the hard of hearing, please contact the Public Advisor's Office at the numbers listed below at least five working days in advance of the meeting date.
  
  INFORMATION ABOUT THIS APPLICATION
  On March 1, 2012, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed Application No. 12-03-001 with the CPUC. In this Application, PG&E requested authority from the CPUC to establish an Economic Development Rate (EDR) that is specifically tailored to address varying economic conditions in the Company's service area. PG&E's current EDR, Schedule ED, is set to close to new customers at the end of 2012. PG&E submitted the current proposal as a replacement for Schedule ED, to be effective and open to new customers from 2013 through 2017. PG&E's EDR proposal asserts that it is designed to enhance California's competitiveness as a business location for companies to create or retain jobs and will provide benefits for California residents generally and PG&E's customers specifically. PG&E's EDR proposal further asserts that it will help local, regional and state economic development partners compete with other states to attract or retain qualifying businesses; that it will increase the Company's flexibility to respond to local economic conditions; and will thereby provide more certainty for PG&E's customers and communities.
  
  A printed copy of PG&E's A.12-03-001 may also be obtained from PG&E by calling 1-800-743-5000.
  For TDD/TTY (speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712 or from the PG&E website at www.pge.com.
  
  CPUC PROCESS
  Staff from the CPUC's Public Advisor's Office will be present at this hearing to assist you. If you are unable to attend this important hearing and would like additional information on how to participate at this public hearing or if you would like to submit written comments about A.12-03-001, please contact:
  
  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)
  Email to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
  
  A copy of PG&E's Application No. 12-03-001 is available for review at the CPUC, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102,
  Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–noon, and on the CPUC’s website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc .