SACRAMENTO - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Air Resources Board are reminding consumers that in October, during National Energy Awareness Month, 10.7 million California households will see a credit averaging $35 on their electricity bills thanks to the State’s cap-and-trade program to fight climate change. This is the second time consumers will receive the Climate Credit, as they also received it this past April, resulting in an overall total credit of $755.5 million to California households.

Said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey, “The Climate Credit offers millions of dollars in savings overall to California households.  It is my hope that households use the money that they save as a result of the credit and invest in simple items that will help lower their electricity bills, such as LED lights or smart thermostats. Together we can all do our part to fight climate change.”

Households and small businesses do not need to do anything to get the credit. Households will see the Climate Credit on their October/November and April/May bills each year, regardless of energy consumption or bill amount. Small businesses will receive the Climate Credit every month, as a credit related to the amount of electricity used. Those customers include commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers, as well as nonprofits and schools that typically use less than 20 kilowatts of electricity each month.

“The Climate Credit is part of an array of programs, including cap-and-trade, developed by California to fight climate change and improve air quality as a result of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006,” said Mary D. Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board. “If homeowners and businesses use their credit to invest in energy efficient measures to help reduce their carbon footprint, they will save even more energy and help the state meet its goals.”

The dollar amount being returned per utility in October is as follows:

• Pacific Gas and Electric Company: $29.80
• Southern California Edison: $40
• San Diego Gas & Electric: $36.24
• Pacific Power: $194.37
• Liberty Utilities: $48.31

The Climate Credit is one of many programs developed as a result of landmark legislation called the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which puts California at the forefront of efforts to battle climate change by requiring that greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. Customers of the state’s investor-owned utilities will receive a Climate Credit that is designed to help California fight climate change and clean the air. The credit comes from payments by power plants and industries that, under California’s climate program, purchase permits when they put carbon pollution into the air. The credit is calculated according to rules established by the CPUC.

Consumers can find more information about the Climate Credit by visiting the Energy Upgrade California website, which also provides ways to take action to save energy, conserve natural resources, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. Energy Upgrade California is the State’s initiative to educate residents and small business consumers about energy management.

For more information on the CPUC, click here.

For more information on the ARB, click here.