On January 31, 2023, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) warned its customers that the colder-than-normal temperatures mixed with increased costs of natural gas could lead to much higher energy bills this winter.[1] The utility said that compared to the same time last year, residential combined-use gas and electricity bills will be about 32% higher until March. PG&E cited higher demand and tighter supplies in the region. Natural gas prices have been much higher on the West Coast than in the rest of the U.S. since November 2022. Between January 19 and 25, California's average daily prices were five times higher than the U.S. benchmark prices. Residents are using more natural gas for heating during colder weather—customers have used more natural gas this winter than the past five-year historic average. In addition, power plants are utilizing more natural gas to meet electricity demand. However, the company noted that bill increases could be less severe if prices fall and the weather warms unexpectedly.

The utility said it supports the proposal to issue the annual April Climate Credit earlier this year, which would provide residential customers with credits of $91.17. The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on February 2, 2023, on the proposal. Separately, more than 300,000 customers who experienced financial hardships during the pandemic will receive an automatic one-time bill credit before February 3, 2023, under the California Arrearage Payment Program.

[1] https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/media-newsroom/news-details.page?pageID=57fb0682-a47e-4431-a678-7319d659e3ff&ts=1675355880012