State law directs the CPUC to establish baseline allocations. Baseline quantities were determined as a result of an extensive study of average residential electricity usage across climatic regions adopted by the California Energy Commission as modified by the CPUC. Baseline regions identify climatic areas based on temperature and altitude where electric consumption patterns are similar, and takes into account seasonal variations in energy consumption.

Your baseline allocation is provided on page 3 of your bill under the "Additional information" section.

All residential customer accounts served on a domestic rate schedules.

"Baseline allocation" is an amount of electricity provided for each residential customer at a lower rate than is charged for electricity above that level.

Every residential customer on the Residential Plan pays one or more of the following CPUC-approved charges:

The smart meter cycles through different screen displays, and each of these screens stays visible for five seconds. Look for the screen that displays “001” in the upper left-hand corner of the meter display. This screen will provide you with the recorded total kWh consumption value.

Your electric meter is probably located on an outside wall of your house or apartment, about 5 feet off the ground, and accessible from the street or sidewalk.

Normally, we read your meter every 27-33 days for billing purposes. The next scheduled read date appears in the top section of your SCE statement. 

Occasionally, we are unable to read a customer's meter due to severe weather, a pet loose in the yard, a locked gate, etc.

The CPUC determines baseline allocations based on the percentage of average residential use for a given season in a particular climate zone and whether your primary source of heat is electric.