Get to Know Critical Peak Pricing (CPP)
CPP provides four months of summer season bill credits in exchange for paying higher electricity prices during 20 annual CPP events.
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, CPP events will last up to three hours and may be scheduled 4-7 p.m., 5-8 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. New enrollees must participate for at least 12 months.
You can choose a rate without CPP at any time. Compare all your rate options below, but before you do, check out how CPP works. The program could lower your energy bill.
How CPP Works
- If you’ve signed up for notifications, you’ll be notified a day before a CPP event occurs. You can choose to receive your notification by phone call, text or email. You can receive event scheduling, start and stop notifications by downloading and configuring the SCE DR Alerts mobile application.
- CPP events can occur year-round, and SCE may, at its discretion, call a CPP event any day of the week.
- During the CPP event, you should lower your usage during the designated three-hour event period because you will be charged at a significantly higher rate than normal for all usage during these hours, as outlined in the tariff.
- CPP events will be called based on any one of the following criteria:
- California Independent System Operator Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Watch, EEA-1, or EEA-2 Notice
- Forecasts of SCE system emergencies that may be declared at the generation, transmission or distribution circuit level
- Forecasts of extreme or unusual temperature conditions impacting system demand
- Day-ahead load and/or price forecasts
If you have questions, please contact us at CPPsupport@sce.com.
You’re Safe With Bill Protection
For the first 12 months, we’ll guarantee you won’t pay more than if you had never enrolled.
Download the free SCE DR Alerts mobile application. Set up the app to receive notifications when a CPP event is scheduled, when it starts, when it ends or all three.
Log in to My Account to update your contact preferences. Get email, phone or text notifications for events to the contact of your choice for each of your service accounts.
*Please note that setting alerts does not enroll you in a demand response (DR) program. Customers enrolled in DR programs are still responsible for event participation even if the notification is not received.
Compare Rate Options
See how the new Time-of-Use peak periods will affect you. Our Rate Plan Comparison Tool will help you compare rates based on your actual usage.
Save More With the Technology Incentive Program
If you are enrolled in CPP, you could get $75 back when you register your qualifying smart thermostat in the Technology Incentive Program.
During a CPP event, we will notify your smart thermostat provider to temporarily adjust the temperature setting on your thermostat to limit AC usage at your business. You will always have the ability to adjust the temperature during these events, but this could affect your CPP event charges.
Already Own a Smart Thermostat?
Enroll your smart thermostat in the Technology Incentive Program. Click on your thermostat manufacturer below and you will be redirected to the home page to begin your enrollment.
Qualifying Wi-Fi Enabled Thermostats:
Need to Purchase a Smart Thermostat?
Visit the SCE Marketplace for valuable information about smart products, programs and tools.
Tips to Reduce Energy Use During a CPP Event
Your business will not have to shut down operations to participate in CPP events. However, electricity used during the event period is subject to a higher CPP rate. These tips can help reduce your energy usage during a CPP event:
- Turn off all nonessential indoor/outdoor lighting, signage, window displays, fountains and office equipment not in use.
- Raise cooling thermostat settings to 78°F with a programmable smart thermostat.
- Install sensor controllers on vending machines to shut them down for short periods.
- Reduce production during CPP events or reschedule during off-peak or super off-peak hours (when CPP events will not occur).
- Unplug battery chargers and use only precharged equipment during on-peak hours; charge battery-operated equipment before CPP events.
CPP Success Stories
Find this story and more at Business Energy Saving Solutions for Every Industry.
Robertson’s Ready Mix
"It takes a lot of electricity to power 55 plants and 10 mine sites used to produce ready-mix concrete and construction aggregates for projects in California and parts of Nevada. That’s why Robertson’s Ready Mix works closely with SCE to determine ideal options in our service territory to reduce electricity use, lower operating costs and minimize impacts on the environment."
-Rob Lesch, electrical manager at Robertson’s Ready Mix
Savings and Incentives
Looking for other ways to save money on your next bill? We have several savings and incentive programs for businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
If your home or business is able to reduce energy during CPP events, you may benefit from CPP. Use our Rate Plan Comparison Tool to compare your current rate costs with other rates to see if CPP is right for your business. Please note that some rates are not available in the Rate Plan Comparison Tool.
Most business customers receiving bundled service (delivery and generation of electricity) from SCE are eligible for CPP. If you’re a bundled business customer, your rate may already be enrolled on CPP.
CPP events will be called year-round 20 times each calendar year, any day of the week between 4-9 p.m. However, CPP events usually occur during the summer season on the hottest summer days.
CPP events are usually called when electricity demand peaks due to extreme or unusual temperature conditions. Other triggers can include higher energy prices, electrical emergency alerts issued by the California Independent System Operator or an SCE system emergency that affects local grid operations.
No. You are not required to completely shut off power during a CPP event. However, all electric usage during an event will be charged at a rate significantly higher than normal.
No. Once an event is called, it cannot be canceled.
The ability to call CPP events throughout the year gives us more flexibility to call upon needed resources. Credits are only applied from June 1-Sept. 30 to help offset the typically higher energy costs during summer months.