Month: February 2025

Source: T&D World

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and nonprofit organization Citizens Energy Corporation have submitted a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) outlining an investment initiative aimed at strengthening California’s electric grid while offering financial assistance to eligible customers.

Under the proposed program, Citizens Energy would invest up to $1 billion in PG&E’s electric transmission system, with a portion of the after-tax profits — estimated at more than $450 million over 35 years — allocated to support bill-paying assistance for low- and moderate-income PG&E customers.

According to the proposal, customers would not incur additional costs for system upgrades on the leased transmission assets beyond what they would pay under standard infrastructure improvements.

Community organizations have expressed support for the initiative, citing potential benefits for both energy reliability and affordability.

“We support innovative investments in the electric grid that align with California’s transition to cleaner energy sources,” said Tom Knox, executive director of Valley Clean Air Now, a nonprofit focused on reducing air emissions in California’s San Joaquin Valley. “This program also provides direct financial assistance to households in need, which is a critical component of ensuring energy affordability.”

Originally filed in March 2023, the proposal was updated following discussions with consumer and community advocates to include the direct bill-assistance component.

Citizens Energy President Joseph P. Kennedy III emphasized the nonprofit’s commitment to enhancing energy access and affordability.

“Our goal is to support a safe, reliable, and affordable energy system,” Kennedy said. “This initiative not only contributes to grid resiliency but also provides direct financial relief to families, helping to address the affordability challenges of electricity while supporting California’s clean energy goals.”

Citizens Energy, founded in 1979, has provided over $600 million in charitable benefits, including utility bill assistance for low-income households and funding for clean energy initiatives.

PG&E would use the investment to modernize the grid, improve reliability, and prepare for increased electricity demand from sources such as electric vehicles and electric heating appliances.

“Our collaboration with Citizens Energy represents an innovative approach to strengthening the electric grid while also providing direct support to our customers,” said Jason Glickman, PG&E Corporation Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning and Strategy. “As California’s energy needs grow, this program would help ensure continued investment in critical infrastructure while keeping costs manageable for customers.”

Program Details

Source: POWER Magazine

California-based Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and nonprofit charitable organization Citizens Energy Corp. are partnering on a proposed investment program that expects to provide more than $450 million to help PG&E customers in low- and moderate-income households pay their energy bills.

Submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) late last month, the updated proposal lays out Citizens’ plans to invest up to $1 billion for PG&E electric system upgrades. Citizens would then use a significant portion of its after-tax profits from the program to provide direct bill-paying assistance to PG&E customers in need. These charitable proceeds are estimated to total more than $450 million over a 35-year period.

The program is designed so that customers would pay no more for electric system work on the leased transmission assets than they would without the program. A community-based organization in California’s Central Valley said the program would provide important benefits.

“We support innovative investments in the electric grid that would help California continue its efforts to transition energy sources for the transportation and housing sectors,” said Tom Knox, executive director of Valley Clean Air Now, a nonprofit charity focused on reducing air emissions in California’s San Joaquin Valley. “We also appreciate that this program would benefit disadvantaged households by providing direct assistance in paying their utility bills.”

PG&E and Citizens first filed with the CPUC for approval of the program last year. After extensive engagement with consumer and community advocates and other stakeholders, PG&E and Citizens updated their proposal to include a direct bill-paying assistance program.

Citizens President Joseph P. Kennedy III said the program will serve the nonprofit’s mission to support projects and programs that increase grid strength and decrease electricity costs.

“Our vision is a safe, reliable and affordable energy system that leaves no one behind,” Kennedy said. “Along with investing in updated infrastructure for a more resilient grid, Citizens sees an extraordinary opportunity to help address the affordability of electric service—a major challenge throughout California. This program with PG&E will provide much-needed electricity savings to families across the region and at the same time, help fund electric system upgrades that will enable California to meet its bold climate goals.”

Since 1979, Citizens has helped low-income families and disadvantaged communities meet their basic needs, including utility bills. It has provided over $600 million in charitable benefits since its founding, including administering winter heating grants to over 300 homeless shelters in 17 states.

PG&E would use the proceeds to make the electric grid safer, more reliable, and ready to serve increasing demand for electricity, including from electric vehicles and electric heating appliances. The program reflects PG&E’s commitment to tap nontraditional funding to help stabilize bills.

“Our proposed program with Citizens would support system upgrades while providing assistance to our customers to pay their bills,” said Jason Glickman, PG&E Corp. Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning and Strategy. “Electric demand in California is growing. This program would help us meet that demand while continuing to keep customer bills stable over time.”

PG&E would continue to own and maintain the relevant assets.

Citizens’ investment of up to $1 billion would enable Citizens to contribute more than $450 million of its net after-tax profits to direct bill-paying assistance for PG&E customers in need. The proceeds that Citizens has committed for direct bill-paying assistance would start at 50% of the after-tax profits from the first $200 million invested. It would increase to 90% of the after-tax profits from the final $200 million invested.

Pending regulatory approval from the CPUC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), PG&E and Citizens expect to close on the first lease option in 2026. Up to four more leases would follow.

The CPUC and FERC have approved two similar programs between Citizens and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to help finance transmission upgrades and fund clean energy projects for communities in need.

Source: North American Clean Energy

Under a proposed investment program with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), nonprofit charitable organization Citizens Energy Corporation expects to provide more than $450 million to help PG&E customers in low- and moderate-income households pay their energy bills.

Submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) late last month, the updated proposal lays out Citizens’ plans to invest up to $1 billion for PG&E electric system upgrades. Citizens would then use a significant portion of its after-tax profits from the program to provide direct bill-paying assistance to PG&E customers in need. These charitable proceeds are estimated to total more than $450 million over a 35-year period.

The program is designed so that customers would pay no more for electric system work on the leased transmission assets than they would without the program.

A community-based organization in California’s Central Valley said the program would provide important benefits.

“We support innovative investments in the electric grid that would help California continue its efforts to transition energy sources for the transportation and housing sectors,” said Tom Knox, executive director of Valley Clean Air Now, a nonprofit charity focused on reducing air emissions in California’s San Joaquin Valley. “We also appreciate that this program would benefit disadvantaged households by providing direct assistance in paying their utility bills.”

PG&E and Citizens first filed with the CPUC for approval of the program last March.

After extensive engagement with consumer and community advocates and other stakeholders, PG&E and Citizens updated their proposal to include a direct bill-paying assistance program.

Citizens President Joseph P. Kennedy III said the program will serve the nonprofit’s mission to support projects and programs that increase grid strength and decrease electricity costs.

“Our vision is a safe, reliable and affordable energy system that leaves no one behind,” Kennedy said. “Along with investing in updated infrastructure for a more resilient grid, Citizens sees an extraordinary opportunity to help address the affordability of electric service—a major challenge throughout California. This program with PG&E will provide much-needed electricity savings to families across the region and at the same time, help fund electric system upgrades that will enable California to meet its bold climate goals.”

Since 1979, Citizens has helped low-income families and disadvantaged communities meet their basic needs, including utility bills. It has provided over $600 million in charitable benefits since its founding, including administering winter heating grants to over 300 homeless shelters in 17 states.

PG&E would use the proceeds to make the electric grid safer, more reliable, and ready to serve increasing demand for electricity, including from electric vehicles and electric heating appliances. The program reflects PG&E’s commitment to tap nontraditional funding to help stabilize bills.

“Our proposed program with Citizens would support system upgrades while providing assistance to our customers to pay their bills,” said Jason Glickman, PG&E Corporation Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning and Strategy. “Electric demand in California is growing. This program would help us meet that demand while continuing to keep customer bills stable over time.”

Program Details

PG&E would continue to own and maintain the relevant assets.

Citizens’ investment of up to $1 billion would enable Citizens to contribute more than $450 million of its net after-tax profits to direct bill-paying assistance for PG&E customers in need. The proceeds that Citizens has committed for direct bill-paying assistance would start at 50% of the after-tax profits from the first $200 million invested. It would increase to 90% of the after-tax profits from the final $200 million invested.

Pending regulatory approval from the CPUC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), PG&E and Citizens expect to close on the first lease option in 2026. Up to four more leases would follow.

The CPUC and FERC have approved two similar programs between Citizens and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to help finance transmission upgrades and fund clean energy projects for communities in need.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company | pge.com

Citizens Energy | citizensenergy.com