Starting in March 2026, residential customers in PG&E’s service area began seeing a new item on their electric bill called the Base Services Charge.
This charge is not from Valley Clean Energy. It is part of PG&E’s electric delivery charges and applies to residential customers throughout PG&E’s service area, whether they receive their electricity generation from Valley Clean Energy or from PG&E.
Valley Clean Energy does not set, collect, or control this charge.
What changed?
PG&E changed the way some electric delivery costs appear on residential bills.
Previously, these costs were included in the price customers paid for each kilowatt-hour of electricity they used. With the new Base Services Charge, PG&E began showing some of those costs as a separate fixed monthly line item. At the same time, PG&E lowered other electricity charges to reflect the change.
The Base Services Charge is related to PG&E costs for electric infrastructure, grid maintenance, customer programs, call center services, and billing.
Because the fixed monthly charge is paired with lower per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) charges, the effect on each customer’s bill varies depending on electricity use, rate plan, and billing cycle.
How much is the Base Services Charge?
The monthly charge depends on customer category:
| Customer type | Approximate monthly Base Services Charge |
|---|---|
|
Most residential customers |
About $24/month
|
|
CARE customers |
About $6/month |
|
FERA customers |
About $12/month |
|
Qualifying deed-restricted affordable housing customers |
About $12/month |
Exact amounts may vary slightly based on the number of days in the billing cycle. CARE and FERA discounts are applied automatically for enrolled customers.
What does this mean for my VCE service?
Nothing changes about your Valley Clean Energy service.
VCE continues to provide your electricity generation service. PG&E continues to deliver electricity, maintain the grid, and send your monthly bill.
VCE customers will still receive one consolidated bill from PG&E. The Base Services Charge will appear within the PG&E electric delivery charges portion of the bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a Valley Clean Energy charge?
No. The Base Services Charge is a PG&E electric delivery charge. Valley Clean Energy does not set, collect, or control this charge.
Why am I seeing this charge now?
PG&E restructured residential electric bills beginning in March 2026. Some costs that were previously included in per-kWh electricity rates are now shown as a separate fixed monthly charge. PG&E also lowered per-kWh rates as part of the same change.
Will my bill go up?
It depends on how much electricity you use. Because PG&E lowered per-kWh rates at the same time it added the Base Services Charge, some customers may see little change, some may see an increase, and others may see a decrease.
Customers who use less electricity may be more likely to see an increase from a fixed monthly charge. Customers who use more electricity may benefit from the lower per-kWh rates.
Do CARE and FERA discounts still apply?
Yes. Customers enrolled in CARE or FERA receive a reduced Base Services Charge and continue to receive discounted electric rates. No action is required if you are already enrolled.
Will I still receive one bill?
Yes. VCE customers continue to receive a single consolidated monthly bill from PG&E.
Does this affect VCE’s electricity generation charges?
No. The Base Services Charge is part of PG&E’s delivery charges. It does not change how Valley Clean Energy provides or charges for electricity generation.
How can I lower my bill?
Check out our resources on our energy efficiency programs here and our electric advisor program here to see options for how you can lower your bill every month.
Learn More
For questions about the Base Services Charge, please contact PG&E directly.
PG&E Website: pge.com Phone: 1-800-743-5000For questions about your Valley Clean Energy service, contact:
Valley Clean EnergyEmail: customerservice@valleycleanenergy.org