California Electricity Rates
Rate data for California is being refreshed. The regulator and market facts below are current; figures return with the next data load.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in California?
No. California has not opened its residential electricity market to competition, so the utility that delivers your power also sells it. Its prices are set in rate cases before the California Public Utilities Commission, and the rate you pay depends on which utility serves your address, your rate schedule, and the season.
Grid operator: CAISO. Wholesale power costs flow through to retail bills on the regulator's schedule rather than month to month, which is why regulated-state rates move more slowly than the market-based states listed below.
Want to shop for a supplier? Retail choice is open on this site in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC.
In much of California your default generation supplier is not the utility on the pole but a city- or county-run Community Choice Aggregator you are auto-enrolled in the day service starts, and you can only leave it by asking the CCA, not the utility, to opt you out.
Who will deliver your power in California
The utility is fixed by your address. These are the largest in the state, with what each says it needs from a new customer.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)investor-owned
Northern and central California across a 70,000-square-mile area from Eureka in the north to Bakersfield in the south, Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada. About 5.5 million electric accounts, ~16 million people (per PG&E).
PG&E says you can start service online, in most cases the same day you complete the request, and up to 60 days in advance; the online flow includes a 'verify your identification' step. Occupants of newly built homes or customers with past PG&E credit issues must call 1-877-660-6789, and PG&E notes it handles service requests on behalf of Community Choice Aggregation providers.
Start service with Pacific Gas and Electric →Southern California Edison (SCE)investor-owned
Central, coastal and Southern California: 50,000 square miles, 15 counties and more than 180 incorporated cities, excluding the City of Los Angeles and some other cities. About 15 million people served (per SCE; no account count given on the page).
SCE says you need a driver's license or other ID and your Social Security Number to start service through its online Move Center, and you can pick a start date up to 30 days in advance. SCE attempts to turn the meter on remotely by 5 p.m., so you do not need to be present.
Start service with Southern California Edison →Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)municipal
The City of Los Angeles plus the Owens Valley; LADWP describes itself as the nation's largest municipal power utility. About over 1.6 million electric customers, ~4 million people (per LADWP).
LADWP offers an online Start Residential Service form or the Customer Contact Center at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397), Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. A one-time, non-refundable $19.00 Turn On Service Charge applies each time you turn on or transfer service and appears on the opening bill; residential customers are billed bi-monthly and the first bill may cover more or less than 60 days.
Start service with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power →San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)investor-owned
San Diego County and southern Orange County: a 4,100-square-mile area spanning 2 counties and 27 cities. About 1.49 million electric meters, 1.4 million accounts, 3.7 million people (per SDG&E).
SDG&E says new customers start service online or in its app, and that you may be required to verify your identity in person at an authorized payment location (often inside a retail or grocery store). If you are moving or transferring service and need a letter of credit history to establish service in a new community, SDG&E lets you download one from its My Energy Center portal.
Start service with San Diego Gas & Electric →Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)municipal
Sacramento County, a 900-square-mile service area with about 1.5 million residents; SMUD is community-owned and not-for-profit. About 673,318 residential and business accounts as of Dec. 2024 (per SMUD).
SMUD says to have your Social Security number and a government-issued ID ready, that you can request a start date up to 35 days in advance, and that requests are processed Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Residential phone support is 1-888-742-7683 (Spanish 1-866-651-4420), Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Start service with Sacramento Municipal Utility District →Sources: myaccount.smud.org, smud.org, smud.org
Deposits, ID, and supplier choice in California
Deposits. CPUC Decision 20-06-003 (adopted June 11, 2020) prohibits investor-owned utilities from requiring any residential customer to pay an establishment-of-credit deposit for new service or a reestablishment deposit when service is reconnected; the CPUC later approved a $2.7 million settlement with SoCalGas, including a $400,000 penalty, for collecting deposits anyway. The decision covers CPUC-regulated investor-owned utilities such as PG&E, SCE and SDG&E; municipal utilities such as LADWP and SMUD are not covered by it. (cpuc.ca.gov)
Choosing a supplier. Residential customers cannot pick a retail supplier: the CPUC says Direct Access is available only to non-residential customers under a load cap. The residential form of choice is Community Choice Aggregation, where a city or county becomes the default generation provider and you may opt out back to the utility (https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/consumer-programs-and-services/electrical-energy-and-energy-efficiency/community-choice-aggregation-and-direct-access-).
If you start service at an address inside a CCA territory you are automatically enrolled in the CCA unless you ask the CCA to opt out; the utility still delivers the power and sends one consolidated bill that includes the CCA's generation charge. Opt-outs go to the CCA, not the utility, and opting out after the first 60 days of CCA service can carry charges or conditions and locks you into utility bundled service for one year.
Sources: cpuc.ca.gov, cpuc.ca.gov, cpuc.ca.gov, cpuc.ca.gov, pge.com, sdge.com
Help paying an electric bill in California
California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), through local Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization providers
Low-income households; CSD lists 2026 monthly income limits of $3,331.66 for one person, $4,356.83 for two, $5,382.00 for three and $6,407.16 for four (add $192.21 per person beyond ten). Offers a one-time payment toward heating or cooling bills, crisis help such as a disconnection, and weatherization; benefits are limited and prioritized, so not every eligible household receives one.
Source: csd.ca.gov
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) with county local service providers
Low-income homeowners and renters; eligibility depends on income, household size, energy use and other factors, and CSD says providers may prioritize applicants by greatest need, including the elderly, people with disabilities and households with young children. Measures include sealing holes and cracks, insulation checks, window repair or replacement, HVAC checks and water heater repair or replacement.
Source: csd.ca.gov
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD); multi-family component run by the Association for Energy Affordability, farmworker component by La Cooperativa Campesina de California
Low-income single-family households, multi-family affordable housing and farmworker households; provides rooftop solar PV and efficiency upgrades (heat pumps, windows, insulation, LED lighting, refrigerators) at no cost to residents.
Source: csd.ca.gov
California Public Utilities Commission; enroll through your investor-owned utility (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and others)
CARE gives a 30-35% electric discount (20% on gas) to households at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, for example $43,280/year for 1-2 people and $66,000 for four (June 1, 2026-May 31, 2027). FERA gives an 18% electric discount from PG&E, SCE and SDG&E to households up to 250% of FPG; initial enrollment is by self-certification and documentation may be requested later.
Sources: cpuc.ca.gov, cpuc.ca.gov
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA)
California Public Utilities Commission; delivered by the investor-owned utilities (PG&E 1-800-933-9555, SCE 1-800-736-4777, SDG&E 1-800-411-7343)
Households meeting the CARE or FERA income limits (250% of FPG: $39,900 for one person, $82,500 for four, June 1, 2026-May 31, 2027) get no-cost attic insulation, energy-efficient refrigerators and furnaces, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads and water heater blankets. Contact your utility to request an application.
Source: cpuc.ca.gov
Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)
California Public Utilities Commission; offered by the investor-owned utilities
CARE or FERA customers who owe $500 or more on gas and electric ($250 gas-only), are more than 90 days past due, have been an IOU customer at least six months and have made at least one on-time payment; forgives 1/12 of the starting balance for each on-time monthly payment, up to $8,000 over 12 months.
Source: cpuc.ca.gov
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Income-qualified LADWP customers with maximum annual gross income of $43,280 for 1-2 household members, $54,640 for three, $66,000 for four, plus $11,360 per additional member (effective July 1, 2026); no proof of income is required to apply but LADWP may verify later. Customers 62 or older or with a disability are directed to the Lifeline Program, which LADWP says offers its biggest discounts.
Source: ladwp.com
Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR, SMUD)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Income-eligible SMUD customers, measured against the federal poverty level, get a monthly discount; customers at 0-50% of FPL also receive the EAPR Rate Stabilization Fund (since January 2024). Apply online with income documents covering four consecutive weeks within the last 60 days; customers typically re-apply every 1-2 years.
Source: smud.org
Programs that change what you pay
- Rooftop solar (net metering)limited
- Traditional NEM is closed to new customers: anyone applying to interconnect solar on or after April 15, 2023 at PG&E, SCE or SDG&E goes on the Net Billing Tariff (what the utilities call the Solar Billing Plan), which credits exports at a value-to-grid rate usually below retail rather than the full retail rate. Existing NEM 2.0 customers keep their tariff for 20 years from interconnection.
Source: cpuc.ca.gov
- Community solarlimited
- A May 2024 CPUC decision expanded the Disadvantaged Community Green Tariff from 60 MW to 144 MW and launched a Community Renewable Energy program open to customers of all income levels, with 51% of each project's capacity reserved for low-income subscribers.
Source: cpuc.ca.gov
- Time-of-use ratesdefault
- The CPUC's residential rate reform decision (D.15-07-001) set default time-of-use rates with an optional two-tier rate as the end state for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E; PG&E's E-TOU-C and SCE's TOU-D-4-9PM both price 4-9 p.m. every day as the peak period, and SCE's rate-plan comparison also lists a Tiered Rate Plan.
Source: cpuc.ca.gov
Questions people ask before moving to California
How far ahead should I set up electricity before moving to California?
PG&E lets you schedule up to 60 days ahead and says most requests can start the same day; SCE allows a start date up to 30 days out, and SMUD up to 35 days, with SMUD processing requests only Monday through Friday. Pick your move-in date when you apply so the account is active before you arrive.
Sources: pge.com, sce.com, myaccount.smud.org
Will I have to pay a deposit to start electric service in California?
Not at PG&E, SCE or SDG&E: CPUC Decision 20-06-003 bars investor-owned utilities from charging residential customers an establishment-of-credit deposit for new or reconnected service. LADWP, a municipal utility, instead charges a one-time $19.00 Turn On Service Charge on the opening bill each time you start or transfer service.
Sources: cpuc.ca.gov, ladwp.com
Can I choose my electricity supplier in California, and what is the CCA on my bill?
Residential customers cannot sign with a retail supplier (Direct Access is only for non-residential customers), but if your city or county runs a Community Choice Aggregator you are enrolled in it automatically when service starts, with the utility still delivering power and sending one bill. To stay on utility supply you must opt out through the CCA itself; in SDG&E territory, for example, Clean Energy Alliance and San Diego Community Power serve more than 80% of customers.
Sources: cpuc.ca.gov, cpuc.ca.gov, pge.com, sdge.com
What do I need to have ready to sign up for electricity?
SCE asks for a driver's license or other ID plus your Social Security Number, and SMUD asks for a Social Security number and a government-issued ID. SDG&E warns you may have to verify your identity in person at an authorized payment location, and PG&E's online flow includes an identification-verification step.
Sources: sce.com, myaccount.smud.org, sdge.com, pge.com
Why is my California electric rate different at 4 p.m. than at noon?
The CPUC moved PG&E, SCE and SDG&E residential customers toward default time-of-use pricing, so plans such as PG&E's E-TOU-C and SCE's TOU-D-4-9PM charge the highest price during a daily 4-9 p.m. peak and less at other hours. SCE also lists a Tiered Rate Plan if you prefer a price that rises with usage instead of time of day.
Sources: cpuc.ca.gov, pge.com, sce.com
Researched 2026-10-15 from utility, regulator, and agency pages; every statement links to where it was read. Rules change: confirm deposits and program dates with the utility or agency before you rely on them.
Every state ranked by residential rate, updated weekly: Electricity Rates by State →