Proposed Changes to Peak Electricity Periods Affecting Belmont Water Corporation Members

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), along with the other major California utilities, is proposing changes to the time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing which makes electricity more expensive during anticipated periods of high demand when the electric grid is stressed and electricity is more expensive.

Currently, the highest-cost summer peak periods from May to October have been from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays with lower rates during weekends and holidays. With the onset of large solar facilities generating considerable amounts of electricity during the afternoon, utilities have proposed shifting TOU periods.
Under PG&E’s proposal, the peak use period would be pushed back to begin at 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. each day, both summer and winter. "Partial peak" rates would be charged between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and again between 10 p.m. and midnight during the summer. All remaining hours would be considered off-peak. The utility's summer rates would be charged from June through September.

The utilities are finalizing rate options and outreach plans before switching customers to TOU rates beginning in 2019. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and PG&E scheduled two public participation hearings on the proposal in mid-August. We will keep you posted on changes resulting from this proposal.