California is Transitioning to TOU - Learn What It Means for You
To ensure California can meet its goal of 100% clean, zero-carbon energy by 2045, it’s important that all Californians consider that when you use electricity is as important as how much electricity you use With TOU, customers are encouraged to shift some energy use to times when rates are lower, demand is lower, and clean renewable resources, like solar and wind power, are most plentiful.
To enable Californians to continue leading the clean energy way, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has mandated the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) to transition residential customers currently on the E-1 (Tiered) Rate to transition to a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate (regardless of your electric generation provider). 3CE residential customers will be transitioned to TOU in October 2021 while commercial and agricultural customers moved to TOU beginning March 2021.
TOU Rate Plan Periods
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TOU encourages customers to shift some energy use to the time of day when renewable energy availability is high and demand for energy is low:
9PM-4PM Lower pricing for 19 hours each day
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4PM-9PM Higher pricing for 5 hours each day
Customer Choices
1) Residential customers may choose to take no action and their rate plan will transition to the TOU rate in October 2021.Â
2) Customers may decline the transition to a TOU rate by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or by visiting pge.com
Time-of-Use pricing helps power grids run more efficiently by encouraging us to use electricity during off-peak hours while more renewable energy is available. Using major appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers and charging EVs during daytime off-peak hours helps use excess solar energy available on the grid, keeps your bill low and reduces the need for natural gas plants providing fossil-fueled power for evening electricity demand. Find out which rate is best for you by logging into your PG&E Account.
Customers will receive TOU notices 90 days prior to the switch, 45 days prior to the switch and finally 15 day prior to the switch.Â
TOU and 3CE's New Rate Structure
How does TOU fit in with Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)‘s proposed new rate structure called Cost of Service (COS)?
3CE’s COS would go into effect following board approval January 1, 2022. This rate structure would be applied to the new TOU rate plans. Should customers want to choose the alternate seasonal flat rate instead of 3CE’s COS TOU rate structure they would need to do so by October 15, 2021. 3CE will provide a Cost of Service calculator – expected in early to mid July – allowing customers to compare COS to the seasonal flat rate choices to see which choice benefits them the most.
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