PG&E’s Restructured Electric Bill Debuts in March 2026

Starting in March 2026, the way PG&E electric bills are structured is changing with implementation of the Base Services Charge. The updated bill separates some costs of services from the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity usage and features lower rates for all customers (compared to the otherwise applicable price).

The Base Services Charge makes electric bills more transparent and encourages the use of clean energy. Lowering the price of electricity makes it more affordable to transition to more clean-powered electric appliances in the home. 

The Base Services Charge is not a new fee and doesn’t increase the amount of revenue that PG&E collects from customers. It covers approved infrastructure and maintenance costs for connecting homes to the grid, energy programs, call center services, and billing—costs that have historically been included in electricity usage prices.

The change is required by the California Public Utilities Commission and was implemented by the state’s other regulated electric providers in 2025. 

Each customer's usage varies so lower electricity prices may or may not lead to a lower total bill. 

How much will customers pay for the Base Services Charge? 

The Base Services Charge for most customers is about $24 per month. Customers enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program pay a discounted charge of about $6 per month, while those in the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program and customers who live in Affordable Housing (Deed Restricted) pay $12 monthly. 

Customers enrolled in CARE or FERA and who meet housing qualifications are automatically billed at a discounted Base Services Charge level. CARE and FERA customers continue receiving their discounts, which is applied to the lower kWh prices.

What is PG&E doing to lower electric prices?

PG&E has decreased electric prices four times in two years, including a price drop in January 2026 for customers who receive both electricity supply and delivery service. Residential electric prices are now 11% lower than they were in January 2024. An average customer using 500 kWh of usage per month is seeing about $20 less off their monthly bill.

PG&E’s electric prices have stabilized and are going down, even while the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects national electric prices to rise by nearly 10% between 2024 and 2026.