PG&E Reminds Customers in Wildfire-Affected Areas About Customer Protection Programs, Billing Options and Rebuilding Support
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–From contributions to community organizations helping to drive recovery
efforts, to direct assistance to those who lost their homes or
businesses in the October 2017 Northern California Wildfires, Pacific
Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds its customers and neighbors in
the North Bay of the numerous programs available to them including bill
relief, payment assistance and customer protections, as well as
in-person and online services to assist with new or temporary
construction of electric service.
“Since the start of the devastating wildfires, our primary focus is –
and continues to be – the safety and well-being of customers and
communities that have been affected. We recognize the hardships you are
currently facing and that your PG&E bill is one of the last things on
your mind. To help ease your burden, we have established a variety of
ways to help as you recover and rebuild,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s
Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at PG&E.
The many actions PG&E has taken to support customers affected by the
wildfires include:
-
Temporarily suspending bills for impacted customers as part of its
billing and credit policy that temporarily stops bills during and
after a disaster. -
Offering deposit relief for customers who lost their homes by
returning deposits on accounts, if applicable, and not charging a new
deposit for up to one year. This policy will be in effect for
customers directly impacted by these wildfires. -
Protecting customers from collections action for one year, if the
customer has a loss of property. - Providing customers with flexible, reasonable payment arrangements.
- Extending additional support for its low-income customers.
-
Providing no-cost installation and removal of service extensions for
temporary power to its customers who have lost a home or business. -
Cutting down and hauling wood debris from eligible customers'
properties in wildfire-impacted areas at no-cost. Customers who would
like to opt into this program can call 1-800-743-5000 to schedule an
inspection. The program closes on Feb. 28. -
Setting up in-person and online services for customers to initiate and
track new service installations, temporary construction electric
service and other PG&E support through pge.com/cco.
Billing and Credit Support for Wildfire-Impacted Customers
PG&E has suspended bills since the start of the wildfires for customers
who lost their home or business. For these customers, PG&E will bring
their balance to zero for the PG&E energy charges associated with their
lost locations. For customers who receive their energy from a
third-party, we are working closely with their provider to address their
energy charges and will continue to communicate with customers as more
information becomes available.
For customers who lost their home or business and have established
service at a temporary residence, their energy bills may be held for
their temporary home because PG&E energy bills are tied to the customer,
not the address. This helps to ensure no customer who has lost a home or
business receives a bill for the property that was destroyed. PG&E is
attempting to reach customers as it prepares to send bills for their
temporary residence and will offer flexible payment plans to these
customers who may receive a bill with several months of charges.
Customers with questions are welcome to call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
PG&E is supporting customers directly impacted by the fires through the
end of 2018 by providing gas and electric service, regardless of ability
to pay. PG&E will expedite setting up new accounts and service, waive
all costs of starting or stopping gas or electric service for customers
at temporary residences and future permanent homes, including required
security deposits, and setting up flexible payment plans.
Billing and Credit Collections in Wildfire-Impacted Areas
For more information, please visit pge.com/wildfireresources
and click on Billing for Affected Customers. PG&E is continuing to work
across the company to review policies and procedures to ensure it is
supporting and providing relief to its customers who were impacted by
the 2017 Northern California wildfires. Customers can reach PG&E any
time of day through its customer service helpline at 1-800-743-5000.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of
the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and pge.com/news.
Contacts
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Media Relations, 415-973-5930