Cool Wins: PG&E Offers Customers Simple Steps for Summer Energy Savings

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) outlines summer resources to help customers manage higher cooling costs amid forecasted above-average temperatures.

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) outlines summer resources to help customers manage higher cooling costs amid forecasted above-average temperatures. The company shares myth-busting energy tips, promotes smart tools like ENERGY STAR® thermostats and PG&E's ART program, and highlights rate options, alerts, and coaching services.

Income-eligible assistance includes CARE (20% gas, 35%+ electricity discount), FERA (18% electricity discount), REACH bill credits up to $800, Match My Payment up to $1,000, LIHEAP payments up to $1,500, AMP debt forgiveness, ESA improvements at no charge, and Medical Baseline benefits.

Argus Jun 12 session

+0.95% close to close 0.5x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – PCG

On Jun 12, the day this news came out, PCG closed 0.95% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jun 12 session.

Key Figures

AC running cost: $29 billion Smart thermostat savings: $50-$78 a year HomeIntel savings: $350 a year +5 more

AC running cost

$29 billion

Annual U.S. homeowner spending to run air conditioners

Smart thermostat savings

$50-$78 a year

Average annual savings for California customer using ENERGY STAR smart thermostat

HomeIntel savings

$350 a year

Average annual savings with HomeIntel personal energy coach program

CARE gas discount

20%

Monthly gas bill discount under CARE program vs non-CARE bundled customers

CARE electricity discount

35% or more

Monthly electricity discount under CARE program vs non-CARE bundled customers

FERA electricity discount

18%

Monthly electricity discount for eligible customers under FERA program

REACH bill credit

Up to $800

One-time bill credit for income-eligible customers based on past-due balance

LIHEAP payment

Up to $1,500

One-time payment on past due bills to help low-income households

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 08

5 events

1. Jun 08

   Wildfire grants program

   24h Move

   -3.1%

   Launch of over $1 million in 2026 wildfire safety and preparedness grants.

2. Jun 04

   Solar milestone

   24h Move

   -0.2%

   Announcement of surpassing 1 million customer solar interconnections.

3. May 27

   Environmental grants

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Plan to award $500,000 in 2026 environmental stewardship community grants.

4. May 22

   Dividend declaration

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   Declaration of a $0.05 per-share regular cash dividend for Q2 2026.

5. May 14

   Safety advisory

   24h Move

   -4.0%

   Warning about metallic balloons causing 100+ outages affecting 46,000 customers.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

energy star, smart thermostats, automated response technology, budget billing, +3 more

7 terms

energy star technical

"ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save an average California customer between $50-$78 a year"

A government-backed label that indicates a product, appliance or building meets set energy-efficiency standards. For investors, an ENERGY STAR rating signals lower ongoing utility and maintenance costs, stronger appeal to cost- and eco-conscious buyers or tenants, and possible access to incentives or reduced regulatory risk—think of it like a fuel-efficiency sticker that helps compare long-term operating costs and market desirability.

smart thermostats technical

"ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save an average California customer between $50-$78 a year"

Smart thermostats are internet-connected devices that automatically control heating and cooling using sensors, schedules and remote apps, often learning occupants' routines to adjust temperatures for comfort and efficiency. For investors they matter because they can cut energy bills like an autopilot for a building, create ongoing subscription income from software and services, supply usage data that improves products and partnerships, and affect demand across home hardware and energy markets.

automated response technology technical

"PG&E's Automated Response Technology (ART) program automatically shifts energy use during peak demand"

Automated response technology is software that detects incoming signals—such as customer questions, system alerts, or data events—and takes predefined actions without a human intervening, like answering a message, routing a task, or triggering a workflow. Investors care because it can lower operating costs, speed service, and scale businesses like an autopilot for routine work, while also introducing risks around reliability, compliance, and user trust that can affect revenue and reputation.

budget billing financial

"Customers can also reduce bill surprises by enrolling in Budget Billing program"

Budget billing is a utility payment plan that evens out a customer’s seasonal or fluctuating bills into a fixed, predictable monthly amount, like averaging a year’s grocery spending into the same payment each month. For investors, it matters because it can reduce short-term revenue swings, lower missed payments and churn, and make a company’s cash flow and customer retention more stable—though it can also hide underlying usage trends.

low income energy assistance program regulatory

"Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally funded assistance program"

A low income energy assistance program is a government-funded safety net that helps households with limited income pay for basic energy needs like heating, cooling, and electricity. Investors care because these programs lower the chance of unpaid utility bills, stabilize demand for energy services, and can affect utilities’ revenue reliability, credit risk and regulatory decisions—similar to how insurance steadies a business by reducing the chance of sudden losses.

arrearage management plan financial

"Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers"

An arrearage management plan is a structured program that helps customers catch up on past-due bills by arranging reduced payments, extended repayment terms, partial forgiveness, or temporary credit relief. For investors, it matters because these programs change how quickly money comes in, how much bad debt a company expects, and how regulators allow those costs to be recovered — similar to a lender agreeing to a realistic repayment schedule so a borrower can keep paying without defaulting.

medical baseline regulatory

"Customers may also qualify for Medical Baseline, which offers an additional allotment of energy"

Medical baseline is the set of health measurements and conditions recorded for a patient or study participant before treatment starts, serving as the starting point against which later changes are judged. For investors, a clear and reliable baseline matters because it determines how convincing a drug or device’s reported benefits and side effects are—think of it as the starting line in a race that lets observers tell whether a treatment genuinely improved outcomes or not.

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Smart Tools, Myth-busting Tips, and Assistance Programs Can Help Households and Businesses Manage Seasonal Cooling Costs

OAKLAND, Calif., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As warmer temperatures push energy use higher, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is connecting customers with the resources they need to stay safe, cool, and keep energy costs down this summer.

Managing cooling costs is especially important this summer, with above-average temperatures forecast by PG&E's Meteorology Operations and increased air conditioner use. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates homeowners spend $29 billion every year to run their air conditioners.

"We know warmer weather can put extra demands on household energy costs, and we want customers to know they're not navigating the summer months on their own," said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "By making it easier for families to find discounts, energy‑saving tools and available support, we're helping customers take meaningful steps to manage and lower their summer energy bills."

To help customers weather the summer heat, PG&E is sharing simple steps that can lower energy use and bills, while clarifying common energy myths and facts so customers can make informed choices.

Energy Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Lowering the thermostat to 60º cools your home faster
Fact: Turning the thermostat to 60º will not cool your home faster and can increase energy use. ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save an average California customer between $50-$78 a year, and PG&E's Automated Response Technology (ART) program automatically shifts energy use during peak demand.

Myth: Ceiling fans cool rooms
Fact: Fans cool people, not rooms. Use a ceiling fan to create a breeze without draining energy on your AC.

Myth: Plugged-in devices not in use do not increase energy use
Fact: Devices with lights, displays or timers can use power even when turned off. Unplug devices like chargers, laptops, and small kitchen appliances when not in use.

Myth: Energy savings require expensive improvements
Fact: Many improvements are low-cost, including weatherstripping, power strips and air filters. Customers can save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills by building an Energy Efficiency DIY Toolkit.

Summer Resources

Customers are encouraged to check if they are on the lowest-cost rate plan for their household. Customers can find their lowest rate by logging into their PG&E online account and using the Rate Comparison tool. Savings vary based on customer type and energy use.

Customers can also reduce bill surprises by enrolling in Budget Billing program and signing up for Bill Forecast Alerts – both at no cost. Budget Billing spreads energy costs evenly over the year, while Bill Forecast Alerts notify customers by email, text, or phone if a bill is expected to go over an amount the customer sets.

The HomeIntel program offers free one-on-one help from a personal energy coach, and customers can save an average of $350 a year. Customers can also sign up for PG&E SmartRate™, which offers a reduced rate for using less electricity between 4-9 p.m. when "SmartDays" are called.

For a vacation-ready energy checklist and additional ways to improve energy efficiency, visit pge.com/summer.

Energy Efficiency Support Programs

• The Switch Is On: A statewide online resource designed to help homeowners and renters interested in switching from gas to electric appliances by connecting them with available incentives and qualified contractors.
• GoGreen Home Financing: A statewide program which offers affordable financing for energy efficiency upgrades to help homeowners and renters reduce their energy use.

Income-Eligible Assistance Programs

PG&E is committed to helping income-eligible customers lower and manage monthly bills:

• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): offers a monthly discount of 20% on gas and 35% or more on electricity (compared to non-CARE bundled customers).
• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity, regardless of household size.
• PG&E Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH): offers a one-time bill credit for income-eligible customers of up to $800 based on a past-due balance.
• PG&E Match My Payment Program: offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,000 for qualifying low-to-moderate-income customers with a past-due balance.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to $1,500 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. Payments may vary by location and funding availability.
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers.
• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): provides energy-savings improvements at no charge.

Customers may also qualify for Medical Baseline, which offers an additional allotment of energy at the lower baseline rate or a discount on rate plans without baselines, and priority shutoff notifications for those who depend on power for certain medical needs. Enrollment requires certification by a qualified medical practitioner.

To learn more about PG&E's assistance programs, use the free Savings Finder tool or visit pge.com/billhelp.  

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news  

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What summer energy-saving programs is PG&E (NYSE:PCG) offering in 2026?

PG&E is offering tools, rate plans, and assistance programs to help manage summer cooling costs. According to PG&E, options include SmartRate™, Budget Billing, Bill Forecast Alerts, HomeIntel energy coaching, and multiple income-eligible assistance and efficiency programs for qualifying residential customers.

How can PG&E (NYSE:PCG) customers lower air-conditioning costs in summer 2026?

Customers can cut AC costs by using smart thermostats, ceiling fans, and energy-efficient habits. According to PG&E, ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save California customers $50–$78 annually, and the Automated Response Technology (ART) program shifts usage away from peak demand hours.

What discounts do PG&E (NYSE:PCG) CARE and FERA programs provide in 2026?

CARE and FERA offer monthly bill discounts for income-eligible PG&E customers. According to PG&E, CARE provides about 20% off gas and 35% or more off electricity, while FERA offers an 18% electricity discount, regardless of household size, for qualified customers.

What bill assistance amounts are available to PG&E (NYSE:PCG) customers in 2026?

Several PG&E programs provide one-time credits or matched payments for eligible customers. According to PG&E, REACH offers up to $800, Match My Payment matches up to $1,000, and LIHEAP may provide up to $1,500 toward past-due heating or cooling bills, subject to funding.

How can PG&E (NYSE:PCG) customers reduce bill surprises during the 2026 summer?

Customers can smooth or monitor bills using free PG&E tools. According to PG&E, Budget Billing spreads energy costs evenly over the year, while Bill Forecast Alerts notify customers by email, text, or phone if their bill is expected to exceed a chosen threshold.

What energy efficiency support programs does PG&E (NYSE:PCG) highlight for 2026?

PG&E directs customers to statewide and utility programs for upgrades and electrification. According to PG&E, The Switch Is On and GoGreen Home Financing help homeowners and renters access incentives, contractors, and affordable financing for energy-efficiency and fuel-switching improvements.