With winter in full swing, many of us are hunkering down indoors and using more electricity to power our homes and businesses. Unfortunately, during this time when we need clean energy most, PG&E is significantly increasing customer costs. That’s why CleanPowerSF is taking action to lower our generation rates by 20-25% to offset PG&E’s increased costs and provide stability for our customers.
If I’m a CleanPowerSF customer, why are you talking about PG&E rates? How does CleanPowerSF work?
CleanPowerSF is a local solution to the climate crisis. It offers renewable, affordable and accessible energy to the community. This empowers residents and businesses to choose a more sustainable future, today. CleanPowerSF is a program of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
CleanPowerSF buys your electricity from sources such as wind and solar, and that electricity is delivered to your home via PG&E-owned poles and wires. All other aspects of your electricity service remain the same, including billing. Customers are automatically enrolled in our Green service, which is at least 70% California-certified renewable energy. Customers also have the option to upgrade to our SuperGreen service, which is supplied with 100% California-certified renewable energy. Together, we’re moving San Francisco toward a more sustainable future.
How much is CleanPowerSF proposing to decrease rates?
CleanPowerSF is proposing to lower rates by at least 20%; specifically, 25% for all residential and some commercial (B19 and E19 rate schedules) customers, and 20% for all other customers. Subject to approval from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the proposed rate decrease will go into effect on March 1, 2026.
Why is CleanPowerSF proposing to decrease rates?
On January 1, 2026, PG&E increased the cost for delivering power through its infrastructure, like the electric poles and wires it owns. In addition, a fee called the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) also went up. The PCIA is a fee that California’s investor-owned utilities charge all customers that is meant to cover the investor-owned utilities’ remaining costs for power contracts they signed before customers switched to another provider.
When these costs and others are totaled, an average CleanPowerSF customer will see an approximate 15-25% increase in PG&E costs depending on how much electricity they use and whether they are a residential or commercial customer.
We know this presents challenges for residents and businesses in San Francisco. So, CleanPowerSF is taking action to lower its rates and provide bill relief for customers.
What are benefits of being a CleanPowerSF customer?
Cleaner energy. Predictable rates. Local care. These are a few of the many benefits to being a CleanPowerSF customer.
Unlike some power providers, we aim to update rates only once a year. That means you won’t be surprised by constant or sudden changes to your electricity bill, allowing you to plan and budget.
We also know San Franciscans shouldn't have to choose between clean energy and affordability. With CleanPowerSF, you get both. The default Green service is 89% California-certified renewable. (PG&E’s default offering is only 23%.) We also offer competitive rates. Since 2022, CleanPowerSF has saved its customers about $120 million on their electricity bills (compared to what they would have paid to PG&E).
As a local, not-for-profit program, we care about San Francisco. CleanPowerSF offers different ways to save money or reduce your impact on the environment. Examples include a $1,000 coupon for a new electric bike (Electrify My Ride), a $50 bill credit every month for two years after the installation of an electric water heater (Water Heater Upgrade Program), and more. We also invest ratepayer funds back into the community. Examples include supporting new renewable energy projects and developing programs that help customers electrify their homes and businesses and manage their energy use and cost.
How can CleanPowerSF customers participate in the rate setting process?
All proposed rate changes for CleanPowerSF are reviewed, discussed, and adopted through a public and transparent rate setting process.
Here’s how you can participate:
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will vote on the proposed rate reduction on January 27, 2026. The public is encouraged to provide public comment via email to commission@sfwater.org by 4 p.m. on January 23, 2026, to ensure comments are received by the Commission in advance of the meeting. Please note that all comments received are made part of the official record. Members of the public attending Commission meetings in person or remotely can provide public comment on every action or discussion item.
Proposed rate changes are reviewed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Rate Fairness Board. Email RateFairnessBoard@sfwater.org to request an email notification when Rate Fairness Board meetings are scheduled and to receive agenda materials. Rate Fairness Board meetings are also open to the public.
Resources
For the latest information, visit sfpuc.gov/power-rates.
CleanPowerSF offers programs for customers to save money and energy. Visit CleanPowerSF.com/lower-your-bill.