Base Services Charge


Your Electric Bill Is Changing. Here’s What’s Happening.

Under California Assembly Bill 205, electric utility companies are required to adjust the way residential customers are billed.

In October or November 2025, electricity bills will be restructured for all residential customers. The electric delivery section of the bill will now include a Base Services Charge as a separate line item, and customers may also experience a reduction in the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh)1.   

The goal of this change is to make it more affordable for everyone to adopt electric technologies and use more clean, sustainable energy. SCE does not earn more profit because of this change. To learn more, visit California Assembly Bill 205 Fact Sheet.

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How Much Will I Pay?

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The Base Services Charge amount varies and will automatically be applied to your bill. If you are enrolled in one of our income-qualified programs or living in a qualifying housing property known as deed-restricted affordable housing2, you may be eligible to receive a discounted Base Services Charge. Below are the different Base Services Charge amounts.

  • California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) customers – approximately $6.003 per month
  • Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) customers – approximately $12.003 per month
  • Customers living in qualified deed-restricted affordable housing2 – approximately $12.003 per month
  • Customers not enrolled in CARE or FERA or not living in eligible deed restricted affordable housing – approximately $24.003 per month

Not enrolled in the CARE or FERA programs? See if you qualify to receive a discounted Base Services Charge here.


 

What’s Not Changing
 

You’ll remain on your current rate plan, whether it’s Time-of-Use or Tiered. If you’re enrolled in programs like CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline, you’ll continue to receive those benefits.

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How Will My Bill Change?

 

Your bill may go up, down, or stay the same, depending on your usage. The chart below shows how your bill may be affected by this change.

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Customer TypeLikely Bill ChangeWhy?
Low Energy UserBill may increaseThe lower cost per kilowatt-hour may not decrease your cost enough to cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in an increase. 
Medium Energy UserBill may stay the sameThe lower cost per kilowatt-hour may balance the Base Services Charge.
High Energy UserBill may decreaseThe lower cost per kilowatt-hour may help cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in savings. 
CARE/FERA Customers and Customers living in deed-restricted affordable housing2Bill may decreaseThe lower cost per kilowatt-hour may help cover the Base Services Charge, resulting in savings. 
Solar Customers (not participating in CARE/FERA)Depends on net usageSolar customers still pay the Base Services Charge but may benefit from lower electricity usage rates when they aren’t generating power. 
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Can I See a Bill Sample?

 

To help you understand what to expect, the examples below show an average monthly bill based on different usage amounts. 

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Comparison bar chart illustrating the impact of new energy bill changes for three household usage levels (Low: 300 kWh, Medium: 600 kWh, High: 1,000 kWh). Each category displays the current bill and new bill with three components: Energy Delivery Charge (green), Generation Charges (yellow), and a new Base Services Charge (blue). Low Usage (300 kWh): Current Bill is $89; New Bill is $101. Energy Delivery Charge is reduced, but the new Base Services Charge increases the total. Medium Usage (600 kWh): Current Bill is $212; New Bill is $209. Total is slightly lower due to a reduced Energy Delivery Charge. High Usage (1,000 kWh): Current Bill is $379; New Bill is $355. The new bill is significantly lower, with a reduced Energy Delivery Charge and the same Generation Charge. Labels highlight where charges are “Lower” or “New.”

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Bar chart comparing current and new CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) electricity bills for households at three usage levels: Low (300 kWh), Medium (600 kWh), and High (1,000 kWh). Each bar is segmented by charge type—green for Energy Delivery Charge, yellow for Generation Charges, and blue for the new Base Services Charge. Low Usage (300 kWh): Current Bill: $60. New Bill: $59. Energy Delivery. Charge decreases, Generation Charge remains the same, and a $6 Base Services Charge is added. Medium Usage (600 kWh): Current Bill: $136. New Bill: $128. Energy Delivery Charge decreases, Generation Charge remains unchanged, and a $6 Base Services Charge is added. High Usage (1,000 kWh): Current Bill: $246. New Bill: $226. Energy Delivery Charge decreases, Generation Charge stays the same, and a $6 Base Services Charge is added. Visual callouts include “Lower” and “New” labels highlighting savings and the introduction of the new charge.

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Bar chart comparing current and new FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) program electricity bills for three usage levels: Low (400 kWh), Medium (600 kWh), and High (800 kWh). Each bill is broken down into: Energy Delivery Charge (green), Generation Charges (yellow), and the new Base Services Charge (blue). Low Usage (400 kWh): Current Bill: $101 (Energy Delivery $51, Generation $50). New Bill: $100 (Energy Delivery $38, Generation $50, Base Charge $12). Medium Usage (600 kWh): Current Bill: $171 (Energy Delivery $92, Generation $79). New Bill: $161 (Energy Delivery $70, Generation $79, Base Charge $12). High Usage (800 kWh): Current Bill: $244 (Energy Delivery $136, Generation $108). New Bill: $225 (Energy Delivery $105, Generation $108, Base Charge $12). Labels highlight reductions in Energy Delivery Charges (“Lower”) and introduction of the Base Services Charge (“New”). All new bills are equal to or lower than the current ones.

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Bar chart comparing current and new electricity bills under the DRAH program for three household usage levels: Low (150 kWh), Medium (250 kWh), and High (400 kWh). Bills are segmented into: Energy Delivery Charge (green), Generation Charges (yellow), and the new Base Services Charge (blue). Low Usage (150 kWh): Current Bill: $51 (Energy Delivery $30, Generation $21). New Bill: $56 (Energy Delivery $23, Generation $21, Base Charge $12). Medium Usage (250 kWh): Current Bill: $84 (Energy Delivery $50, Generation $34). New Bill: $85 (Energy Delivery $39, Generation $34, Base Charge $12). High Usage (400 kWh): Current Bill: $134 (Energy Delivery $80, Generation $54). New Bill: $128 (Energy Delivery $62, Generation $54, Base Charge $12). Visual cues indicate reductions in Energy Delivery Charges with green “Lower” labels and the introduction of a $12 Base Services Charge marked as “New.” The total bill decreases or remains nearly the same at all usage levels.

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How Can I Save?

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Do I Qualify for a Discount?

With the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program you may qualify for a monthly bill discount of 32.5% or up to 18% with the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. In addition to the monthly bill discount, you may also qualify for a discounted Base Services Charge. The Base Services Charge won't affect your participation in either CARE or FERA.

  • CARE customers – Base Services Charge of approximately $6.003 per month
  • FERA customers – Base Services Charge of approximately $12.003 per month 

Not sure if you qualify? 2-minute eligibility form!

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Explore Rate Plans to Maximize Potential Savings

It's good to know your options. You can use the Rate Plan Comparison Tool to get a personalized rate comparison based on your energy usage. You can also explore other available rate plan options and easily switch rate plans if you find one that better fits your needs. 

Compare rate plans in minutes.

Customers on the Solar Billing Plan, operating on a master meter, or with less than five months of continuous usage are not eligible to use the Rate Plan Comparison Tool. 

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What If I Have Solar?

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Do solar customers pay the Base Services Charge?

All residential customers, including solar customers, will pay a Base Services Charge. Solar customers are still connected to the grid and require the infrastructure, meters, and other equipment needed to maintain it.

How does this impact my overall bill?

Your net electricity usage cost still depends on how much energy you produce and use. 

Is the Base Services Charge due monthly?

The Base Services Charge is payable each month, even for customers with Net Energy Metering (NEM) or Solar Billing Plan (SBP), regardless of energy usage.

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FAQs


 

Have a question? Find answers quickly below.

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1Estimated as of March 1, 2025.

2 Deed-restricted affordable housing properties are identified by the California Housing Partnership and defined as an affordable rental home that is restricted by the rules of state or federal subsidies to residents who have incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Media Income. For more information, visit chpc.net.

3 Your exact Base Services Charge amount will vary based on the number of days in your billing cycle.

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