December 26, 2006 > Winter gas savings program

As winter officially begins, Pacific Gas and Electric Company reminds customers that the opportunity to save money with the 10/20 Plus Winter Gas Savings Program has begun for customers whose January bill includes part of December.

PG&E created the 10/20 Plus Program as a conservation incentive that rewards all customers - residential, business, agricultural, and government entities - with a bill credit of up to 20 percent for simply reducing natural gas usage during January and February.

After a successful launch last year, this winter PG&E has expanded and enhanced the program. Customers this year will earn credit more easily, more customers are eligible, and usage is based on the past three-year historical average whether or not they occupied the location.

To earn the 10/20 Plus Program credit, customers need to reduce their cumulative natural gas usage during January and February below the three-year historical average at their home or business. Customers' starting point for conservation appears on their December bill. For every 1 percent decrease in usage, customers will receive a 1 percent credit, up to 9 percent. Customers who reduce their usage by 10 percent or more will receive a 20 percent bill credit.

All PG&E customers are eligible and already enrolled in the 10/20 Plus Program. To maximize the bill credit, customers should begin conserving when they receive their December energy bill. Depending on their billing schedule, the bill credit will appear on customers' March or April bill.

PG&E does not profit from higher gas prices and instead receives a regulated fee for delivering the product to its retail customers. The delivery charge does not change based upon the cost of natural gas.

To help manage this winter's natural gas prices, PG&E purchased and stored approximately 20 percent of the projected winter natural gas demand throughout the spring and summer when gas prices are typically lower.

PG&E is also helping customers reduce their energy use, through conservation and energy efficiency programs, including rebates for energy efficient appliances, on-line energy audits, and through programs to help low income households in particular. For more information on the 10/20 Plus Program visit www.pge.com/winter.

For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company, please visit our website at www.pge.com