SDG&E: NATURAL GAS PRICES DROP NEARLY 68% FOR FEBRUARY

As a follow-up to the email we sent in early January about historically high natural gas pricing in the West, we are contacting you to provide an update.

Compared to January's historic gas market prices, the price of gas has decreased by nearly 68% from $3.45 per therm to $1.11 per therm, effective February 1. As a result, the expected average gas bill for residential customers (commodity plus delivery charges and other mandated fees and taxes) is expected to decrease to $110 in February, from approximately $225 in January. Your actual bill will vary and depending on your billing cycle and your household’s energy usage you may not see the lower gas price reflected on your bill until sometime in February or early March.

SDG&E expects to provide you with a credit on the gas portion of your bill in February and your electric portion of your bill in March with the acceleration of the California Climate Credit. These credits and the decrease in gas pricing will hopefully provide you with a meaningful reduction in winter bills.

While we are optimistic about gas prices in the coming months, the market is still volatile. Gas prices are updated monthly based on forecasted market conditions and reflected in the price customers pay. Even with lower pricing, it's important to remember that weather conditions and usage can still lead to higher bills than you’re used to, especially as we turn up the heat when the temperature drops. We also want you to know that we have programs and resources to help you manage your energy use and provide direct assistance should you need it.

Resources to help

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A variety of customer assistance programs may be available for qualifying residential customers, including a monthly discount of 30% or more with the CARE program, emergency payment assistance, and debt forgiveness. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, funded entirely by SDG&E shareholder dollars (not customer dollars), provides eligible customers up to $300 to offset their outstanding bills. The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial help ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on household income, size and past due balances.

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Energy Alerts are an easy way to monitor your energy use and bill before it arrives. Customize your notifications for when your bill reaches a dollar amount you set or get weekly. Or, you can get notified of your usage and projected bill each week or halfway through your bill cycle. 

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Level Pay can help make your energy bill more predictable. Level Pay averages your energy bill every three months so you can budget more easily.

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Take our Home Energy Survey to help you identify key ways energy inefficiencies in your home could be costing you money. You can also save on products that can improve your home's comfort, health and energy efficiency with the Golden State Rebate program.  

For more information on energy savings tips and resources to help you manage your energy use and bill, please visit sdge.com/myenergy.