PowerSaver

Understanding Your SDGE Bill

Break down the components of your electricity bill and understand what you're paying for.

Major Bill Components

Electric Generation

The actual cost of producing electricity

Key Points

  • •Varies by time of use (peak vs. off-peak)
  • •Makes up about 35% of your bill
  • •Can be reduced by shifting usage to off-peak hours
  • •Influenced by market rates and fuel costs

Typical Cost

$0.06-0.42 per kWh depending on plan and time

Electric Delivery (Distribution)

Cost of delivering electricity to your home

Key Points

  • •Maintenance of power lines and infrastructure
  • •Around 25-30% of your bill
  • •Fixed rate regardless of time of use
  • •Includes grid maintenance and upgrades

Typical Cost

$0.17-0.41 per kWh in delivery fees

Public Purpose Programs

Mandated programs for energy efficiency and low-income assistance

Key Points

  • •CARE program subsidies
  • •Energy efficiency programs
  • •Research and development
  • •Low-income assistance programs

Typical Cost

About 5-8% of your total bill

Nuclear Decommissioning

Funds for safely retiring nuclear power plants

Key Points

  • •San Onofre decommissioning costs
  • •Very small portion of bill
  • •Mandated by California law
  • •Long-term environmental safety

Typical Cost

Less than 1% of your bill

Competition Transition Charge

Historical costs from energy market deregulation

Key Points

  • •Legacy costs from 1990s deregulation
  • •Declining portion of bill
  • •Fixed fee per kWh
  • •Required by state law

Typical Cost

Small fixed charge per kWh

Monthly Fixed Charges

These fixed monthly amounts reflect SDGE's Base Services Charge structure.

Default Monthly Fixed Charge

For all customers not enrolled in CARE or FERA

$24.15

FERA Monthly Fixed Charge

For FERA enrolled customers or customers in affordable housing (below 80% Area Median Income)

$12.08

CARE Monthly Fixed Charge

For CARE enrolled customers

$6.00

Minimum Bill Charge

Minimum amount you'll pay even with zero usage or solar generation

~$10

State Surcharge

California-mandated fee to fund energy programs

Variable