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Gas and Electricity

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, or PG&E, provides gas and electricity in Humboldt County.

Starting service

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If your landlord does not cover utilities and wants you to pay them directly, when your lease starts you will need to contact PG&E to get the gas and electricity bill in your name. You can do this by calling 1-877-743-4112 or clicking here.

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You will need to provide a form of identification such as your social security number, ID, driver’s license, or passport. You will also need your address, and the service start date.

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You will be asked what electricity plan you would like. The tiered rate plan (E-1) is generally cheaper. You can look at the rate plan comparisons sheet to see what is best for you.

Discount Programs

California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE)

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A monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity. Participants qualify through income guidelines or if enrolled in certain public assistance programs.

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To qualify for CARE:

  • The PG&E bill must be in your name. (For sub-metered tenants, the energy bill from your landlord must be in your name.)

  • You must live at the address to which the discount applies.

  • Another person (besides your spouse) can’t claim you as a dependent on an income tax return.

  • You must not share an energy meter with another home.

  • You must account for all sources of qualifying household income and meet the program income guidelines.

  • You must notify PG&E if your household no longer qualifies for the CARE discount.

  • After you enroll, you may need to provide proof of qualifying household income, including IRS tax returns. You may also be required to participate in the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

  • Your monthly electric usage must not exceed six times the Tier 1 allowance. This is the lowest-priced rate tier within PG&E’s standard Tiered Base Plan.

  • You must renew your eligibility every two years (or every four years if you’re on a fixed income).

  • Qualification is based on the total income of everyone living in the home or participation in qualifying public assistance programs.

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You may qualify if you or someone in your household takes part in any of the following public assistance programs:

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

  • CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)

  • CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF

  • Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A & B)

  • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal (under age 65)

  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal (age 65 and over)

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Qualifying for CARE based on household income:

  • 1-2 Persons in Household: $36,620 or less total gross annual household income

  • 3 people: $46,060 or less

  • 4 people: $55,500 or less

  • 5 people: $64,940 or less

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Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)

 

A monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Must be a household with three or more people. Participants qualify through income guidelines.

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To qualify for FERA:

  • The PG&E bill must be in your name (For sub-metered tenants, the energy bill from your landlord must be in your name).

  • You must live at the address to which the discount applies.

  • Another person (besides your spouse) can’t claim you as a dependent on an income tax return.

  • You must not share an energy meter with another home.

  • You must account for all sources of qualifying household income and meet the program income guidelines.

  • You must notify PG&E if your household no longer qualifies for the FERA discount.

  • After you enroll, we may select you for income verification. You must provide proof of qualifying household income to remain on the program.

  • You must renew your eligibility every two years.

 

Qualifying for FERA based on household income:

  • 1-2 persons living in household: Not eligible

  • 3 people: $46,061–$57,575 total gross annual household income

  • 4 people: $55,501–$69,375

  • 5 people: $64,941–$81,175

  • 6 people: $74,381–$92,975

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Redwood Coast Energy Authority

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In Humboldt County, new electricity customers are automatically enrolled in RCEA’s Community Choice Energy program, REpower, for their electricity generation service.

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PG&E continues to maintain the poles and lines, remedies power outages, and provides a single consolidated bill. The only difference you’ll notice might be a slight decrease in your electricity bill. RCEA’s charge IS NOT an extra charge on your bill, it is for the electricity you use to power your home. Look at the Sample Bill sheet to understand your bill. RCEA charges for the electricity use, while PG&E charges for delivering electricity.

 

You can choose to opt out of the renewable energy plan, or opt up to 100% renewable energy.

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