NorCal Residents To Get Money Back On Energy Bills: Here's How

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Northern Californians, if your energy bills prompted a double take this month, you're not alone. Swaths of residents will see a credit on their electric and natural gas bills this month thanks to a state-led effort to fight climate change.

Every April and October, the California Climate Credit requires for profit energy and natural gas providers to refund residential customers a portion of carbon tax that's collected. The climate credit is your share of the carbon tax and the rest of the funds go toward programs that work to mitigate rising climates and increase use of cleaner forms of energy.

Households automatically receive a credit biannually while small businesses receive a credit monthly.

For Pacific Gas & Electric customers, the natural gas credit will be $47.83, and for electric customers, the credit will be $39.30. Customers who receive both services will receive a total credit of $87.13, according to the utility.

“This credit is great news for PG&E customers and will reduce energy bills and provide more opportunities to invest in energy-efficiency and money-saving upgrades,” Vincent Davis, PG&E’s Vice President of Customer Operations and Enablement, told Business Wire.

The extra bill padding is welcome news as inflation on every price tag from groceries to fuel continues to plague Californians.

Inflation hit a new 40-year high, jumping 8.5 percent over the previous 12 months, according to a new Labor Department report released this month. The squeeze is being felt particularly hard at the gas pump and especially in the Golden State, where the average gas price for a gallon of regular gas was $5.74 on Tuesday.

Those who are seeking help in paying their PG&E bill can visit this page to explore assistance programs.

READ MORE: CA Residents Should Adjust Budgets Amid Record Inflation