PG&E Issues New Rolling Blackout Alert—What It Means for California Homes and Businesses

PG&E residential customers are seeing real relief this month: electric rates dropped 2.1 percent on September 1, shaving roughly $5 off the bill for a typical 500-kWh household, with another $58.23 California Climate Credit landing in October that will push the two-month savings past $60. The cut reflects the expiration of short-term charges tied to wildfire safety and emergency response, plus lower financing costs. Gas rates eased 0.4 percent as well, trimming an additional 39 cents for the average 31-therm customer. PG&E estimates September’s blended electric-and-gas bill will hover near $293, down from about $299 in August. While national electricity prices are projected to keep climbing through 2026, PG&E says its residential rates have fallen three times in the last 15 months and are on track to dip again next year thanks to $2.5 billion in cost-saving efficiencies such as drone inspections and bundled grid upgrades. “Our focus is on making the system safer and more reliable while managing costs,” noted Carla Peterman, the utility’s chief sustainability officer. Consumer advocates welcome the reprieve but caution it barely dents recent bill inflation: TURN’s Mark Toney calls the $5 drop “cold comfort” after 2024’s record increases that left one in five investor-owned-utility customers statewide behind on payments. The average delinquent PG&E balance is $710, according to CPUC data. Customers looking for deeper savings can enroll in Budget Billing or use PG&E’s free Home Energy Checkup, HomeIntel audits, and Savings Finder tool. Income-eligible households may stack discounts from CARE (-20% gas/-35% electric), FERA, ESA weatherization upgrades, REACH emergency grants, Match-My-Payment credits, and federal LIHEAP assistance. No additional rate changes are slated for 2025, but PG&E’s pending requests—including a $5.50-per-month boost to shareholder return—are before state regulators and, if approved, could take effect in January 2026. Even then, PG&E projects the typical bill will fall again early next year as more temporary wildfire surcharges roll off, before edging back toward 2025 levels in 2027. For now, September’s dip and October’s climate credit give Northern and Central Californians a rare break on their PG&E bills as autumn arrives.