California sends energy bill credits to millions of homes
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Millions of California households will automatically receive discounts on their electricity bills this summer through the California Climate Credit, a state program providing up to $100 to certain customers of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) between August and September.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a change to deliver these credits in August and September, when energy demand is highest due to warm temperatures.
Residents of the Central Valley, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego will likely rely more on air conditioning during this time and see increases in their electricity bills.
The credit will appear as a reduction on monthly statements, labeled “California Climate Credit” or “CA Climate Credit.” Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and SDG&E customers are eligible, but households with municipal utilities like Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) will not receive the credit because those utilities are not regulated by the CPUC.
The amount of the credit varies by provider, with SDG&E customers receiving the highest amount. Residents do not need to apply for the credit or meet any income requirements. The CPUC sets the discount for eligible accounts, and utility companies automatically apply it to residential bills. The program is funded by the state’s Cap-and-Invest program, which requires polluters to purchase credits for greenhouse gas emissions, and directs a portion of the revenue towards environmental investments and utility discounts.
If residents do not see the credit on their August or September 2026 bills, they should contact their utility company.
