IMPORTANT
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Base Services Charge

Making your electric bill more transparent and encouraging the use of clean energy.

What is the Base Services Charge, and how will it change my bill?

 

Starting in March 2026, PG&E will restructure your energy bill. Your new bill will separate some costs of services from the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity usage.

 

The implementation of the Base Services Charge will restructure how customers are charged for some services and electricity. It is not a new fee. The Base Services Charge will cover approved infrastructure and maintenance costs for connecting your home to the grid, energy programs, call center services, and billing. These costs are currently included in your electricity usage cost.

 

Starting in March 2026, the Base Services Charge will be separated from your electric use charges. The price per kWh for electricity will also be lowered (compared to the otherwise applicable price), so you will be paying less for the electricity you use. Each customer's usage varies so lower electricity prices may or may not lead to a lower total bill. 

 

Lowering the price of electricity will make it more affordable to transition to more clean-powered electric appliances in the home. Learn more about home electrification.

Electric bill summary

Current Bill 

 

  1. Your service charges are currently included in the kWh prices

 

Base Services Charges New Bill

New Bill (March 2026)

 

  1. A "Base Services Charge" line item will appear under "Electric Charges" *
  2. The price of electricity will be lower by removing some costs of service from electricity charges. 

 

*Costs of kWh prices and the Base Services Charge are illustrative and may change over time.

 

How much will the Base Services Charge be?

 

Customers on low-income programs, including CARE and FERA, will pay a discounted charge of around $6.00 and $12.00 per month, respectively. Customers in CARE get up to 35% off their electricity usage, and FERA customers get up to 18% off. Enrolled CARE and FERA customers will keep getting their discounts, which will be applied to the lower kWh prices.

 

Customers enrolled in the CARE or FERA program or who have certified they live in Affordable Housing (Deed Restricted)** will be automatically billed at a discounted Base Services Charge level.

 

Do you think you may be eligible for a discounted Base Services Charge?

 

See if you qualify for a low-income program

 

**Affordable Housing (Deed Restricted) properties are identified by the California Housing Partnership. For more information visit chpc.net.

 

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***The Base Services Charge is a cost-per-day per billing period. Your total monthly Base Services Charge cost may vary slightly month-to-month based on total days per billing period.

Learn more about the Base Services Charge

Implementing a Base Services Charge and lowering the cost of electricity will:

 

Electric pricing will be lower for residential customers.****

 

Separating some of the costs of services from electricity pricing will make bills more transparent. The change will lower kWh pricing and help make it more affordable for customers to replace gas appliances and vehicles with efficient electric options. It will ensure that customers' energy bills are better matched to their income level. It also will shift cost burdens away from low-income customers. While electric pricing will be lower, some customers will experience a lower total bill, and others may see their bills slightly increase.

 

****The Base Services Charge excludes all versions of rate plans EV-B, EM, EM-TOU, E-TOUB, and EV-A.

 

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1. Distribution customer access costs

Costs of the connection to the grid, metering, and a portion of customer service costs related to billing

 

2. Public Purpose Program charges

Costs of clean energy and equity programs like CARE, energy efficiency, and demand response

 

3. New System Generation Charge

Funds system reliability for all customers

 

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Customers enrolled in the CARE or FERA program will automatically receive a discount, reducing their effective Base Services Charge. The standard Base Services Charge is discounted to $6.00 per month for CARE customers and is discounted to $12.00 per month for FERA households or Affordable Housing (Deed Restricted) dwellers.

 

CARE and FERA customers will continue to receive their electricity usage discount. This will be in addition to the already reduced kWh pricing.

 

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Yes. Solar customers, even though they are producing clean energy, still use the electric grid, and so will pay the same Base Services Charge as non-solar customers to maintain the infrastructure.

 

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Reducing the cost of electricity will make it more affordable for customers, particularly low-income customers, to transition to clean, electric-powered homes and vehicles. A lower electricity price can help accelerate adoption of modern, efficient electric appliances and vehicles. Lower costs help customers save money while contributing to a clean energy future.

 

To learn more about an electrified home, visit pge.com/electrification.

 

Comparison of Mixed and Electric Energy Homes

Yes. Utilities throughout the state have already implemented or will soon implement this change, as required by state law. Visit CA State Legislature's Assembly Bill (AB) 205 to learn more.

 

For the past several years, PG&E has consistently provided our customers with electricity that is 95-100 percent free of greenhouse gas emissions. Greater access to electrification through lower kWh pricing supports California's clean energy goals by encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies – helping the state achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

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More about your bill

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Answers to common questions about your bill.

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  • Other factors

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