January 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.

• Learn how your business can save electricity now
  So you’re ready for Time-Varying Pricing, starting in fall 2012.
  
  Soon, California businesses will be moving to new electric rates called Time-Varying Pricing, part of a statewide energy plan that will be implemented by all investor-owned utilities in the state.
  
  Time-Varying Pricing is designed to help protect the state’s electricity resources. During weekday afternoons, when demand is higher than in the morning or at night, rates are higher; at other times they will be lower. Conserving energy during peak periods, by even a small amount, can help you lower your annual bills.
  
  Many small and midsize businesses will transition to Time-Varying Pricing in November 2012 and PG&E wants to help you with ways to conserve.
  

  
  
  • Find out about energy solutions, assessments, tips, tools and more, by calling our dedicated Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743.
  
  
  • Learn more about Time-Varying Pricing by visiting www.pge.com/TVP.
  
  

• Save money on your PG&E bill
  At Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), we understand these are challenging economic times. With PG&E's Breathe Easy Solutions™, we'll help you manage your energy costs—which can be helpful when there is an unexpected change in your financial situation. Together, we can find solutions.
  
  California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program provides a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified households. Learn more or download CARE application.
  
  Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program provides a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified households of three or more. Learn more or download FERA application.
• 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 PG&E’s Filing of Testimony to Recover the Cost of Seismic Studies Recommended by the California Energy Commission (A.10-01-014)
  On November 30, 2011, at a hearing at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the administrative law judge granted a motion by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to re-open application No. 10-01-014 regarding Funding for Diablo Canyon Seismic Studies. Key parties, including the Division of Ratepayer Advocates and The Utility Reform Network were in attendance. At the conclusion of the hearing, the administrative law judge instructed PG&E to file updated Testimony to support a request for additional funding for the seismic studies, and to notify customers about how this request will impact rates.
  
  On December 9, 2011, PG&E filed updated Testimony with the CPUC requesting to recover additional funding, through rates, for costs associated with enhanced seismic studies at, and in the vicinity of, Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). The study was recommended by the California Energy Commission in its report, “An Assessment of California’s Nuclear Power Plants: AB 1632 Report.” The California Energy Commission proposes updating the seismic studies at, and in the vicinity of, DCPP using 3-D geophysical seismic reflection mapping and other advanced techniques.
  
  PG&E is asking the CPUC through this Testimony for approval to recover costs of up to $64.25 million for enhanced seismic studies at DCPP, an increase of approximately $47.5 million from the original request. This increase is primarily due to the expanded scope of seismic studies. The offshore and onshore areas that will be studied using 3-D and 2-D techniques have more than doubled. This expansion is consistent with the safe operation of DCPP, and with PG&E’s commitment to supporting the activities necessary to ensure seismic safety. It is also responsive to comments and feedback from the Independent Peer Review Panel established by the CPUC in Decision 10-08-003 and to information from other stakeholders, including the United States Geological Survey.
  
  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 revenue requirement of $37.4 million (highest single year), the bundled system average rate will increase 0.3 percent in 2012, relative to current rates, and would not have a significant impact on individual customer 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
  Diablo Canyon Seismic Studies Testimony
  P.O. Box 7442, San Francisco, CA 94120
  
  THE CPUC PROCESS
  
  The CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) will review this Testimony.
  
  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 (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 Testimony and Application 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 on the CPUC’s website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc