This October, your utility bill might look a bit different. California residents will see an extra item on their bills entitled “California Climate Credit,” which, in effect, is a reduction off your gas and electric charges.
The California Climate Credit is a direct result of the State’s cap-and-trade program. This program is meant to reduce climate pollution from the state’s largest polluters. The first climate credit was dispersed an April of this year, and it is set to disperse again this month. Credits will continue to be distributed in April and October in the following years.
There is no need to sign up to receive the credit, and it will be applied to your bills automatically. Because billing periods can vary, the climate credit may not always coincide with the calendar month. If there is no credit applied to your statement by the end of October, it should be present in your November bills.
The amount of the credit will fluctuate depending on who your utility provider is. The following is a list of common providers and how much you can expect to see on your bill.
| PG&E | $58.23 |
| SCE | $56.00 |
| SDGE&E | $81.38 |
| Bear Valley | $34.91 |
| Liberty | $80.25 |
| Pacific Power | $259.36 |
Source: California Public Utilities Commission
