In April 2009, you may begin to see changes in your electricity rates. These rate changes will make it possible for SCE to maintain the safety and reliability of the electricity grid, and to build a cleaner, smarter, more efficient grid for the future.
Many of our customers will experience little or no change, but because electricity is priced in different usage tiers, the impact on your bill will vary. While an average-usage household may see a change of about two percent, high-usage customers (in Tiers 3, 4 or 5) may see changes ranging from 3 to 10 percent.
The rate changes will enable SCE to expand our low- and no-emission and renewable energy sources. We plan to build a transmission line to bring 4,500 megawatts of renewable electricity from the Tehachapi region of California directly to SCE customers – enough to power nearly three million average homes.
The list of residential rate options are below. If you find one more appropriate and think you may qualify, call us at 1-800-655-4555 to learn about changing to that rate. (The name of your current rate schedule is indicated on the top of your bill.)
Understanding Tier 1 (Baseline)
The "baseline allocation" is an established amount of energy (kWh) allocated for basic services such as lighting, cooking, heating, and refrigeration usage. Residential customers' baseline allocation is established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to ensure that all customers can purchase a basic supply of energy at the lowest rate in effect and your specific allocation depends upon your baseline region, the season (winter or summer), and whether your home's source of energy is electricity only or a combination of electricity and gas.
More information is at Understanding Tier 1 (Baseline)
Understanding the Basic Charge
Southern California Edison's (SCE's) Basic Charge for residential customers covers some non-energy costs associated with providing basic services such as bill preparation, meters, meter reading, and customer accounting. This charge ensures that each residential customer, regardless of monthly usage, contributes equitably to cover costs associated with providing basic electric services.
More information is available at Basic Charges for Residential Customers (PDF).
Understanding the Late Payment Charge
Southern California Edison's (SCE's) Late Payment Charge is assessed on the total amount of any unpaid, past due bill(s). Bills become past due 19 calendar days from the date the bill is prepared.
More information is available at Residential Late Payment Charge (PDF)
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Understanding the Generation Component
The Generation component for each rate is broken down into two rate factors. These are the 1) Utility Retained Generation (URG) factor and 2) the Department of Water Resources (DWR) factor. The Generation components must be applied separately to a percentage of the total kWh consumed during the billing period. Due to the frequent fluctuation of the DWR market rate, please refer to your bill for the current DWR percentage or call (800) 655-4555 for more information.
Information About SCE's Medical Baseline Allocation Program
If you have a medical condition that requires life-support equipment or special environmental conditions, you may qualify for extra savings on your electric bill through Southern California Edison's Medical Baseline Allocation program. The Medical Baseline Allocation program provides qualified customers an additional allowance of low-priced ("baseline") energy for specific medical life-support equipment and specific illnesses.
More information is available at Medical Baseline Allocation.
Schedule D: The Standard Residential Rate
Southern California Edison's (SCE's) Domestic (D) rate schedule is the basic rate for residential customers and has a four-tiered structure. Rates within the schedule increase with the energy consumed above the residential customer's "baseline allocation."* Typical Schedule D customers live in single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, or townhouses. Schedule D may also serve multi-family residences, such as residential hotels or qualifying recreational-vehicle parks where you pay your electric bill to SCE and are in a single location.
More information is available at Schedule D: Residential Rate Summary.
* Baseline electricity allowances are an established level of kilowatthours (kWh) provided to residential customers. Pursuant to State law, baseline allowances represent the electricity necessary to supply a significant portion (50-60%) of the reasonable needs of the average residential customer.
Schedule D Options
Information is available at Schedule D Options
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Special Time-of-Use Rates
Customers who use most of their electricity during "off-peak" hours could benefit from a time-of-use rate schedule.
The link below provides Special Time-of-Use Rates information:
Special Time-of-Use Rates
Electric Vehicle Pricing Options
The link below provides EV-related information:
Electric Vehicle Pricing Options
Apartment Building, Mobile Home, and RV Park Options
The link below provides information on the options for service to multi-family buildings with a single SCE meter, such as apartment buildings and duplexes, residential hotels, and qualifying recreational-vehicle parks.
Apartment Building, Mobile Home, and RV Park Options
Information on SCE Service Charges
Charges for Southern California Edison (SCE) to establish your electric service, reconnect electric service, late payment, returned checks, and for an SCE representative to visit a customer's location reflect SCE's costs for these activities. The California Public Utilities Commission has approved these charges.
Complete, detailed pricing information is also available in Southern California Edison's SCE Tariff Book. To print residential pricing schedule information, select "File" from your browser menu, and choose "Print."
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