Baseline Allowance Facts
Your monthly bill contains detailed information on the calculation
of your energy-related charges. Baseline Allowance (baseline) is
one of the pieces of information found on your bill. To help you
understand baseline, here are answers to commonly asked questions.
What is baseline?
Baseline is a billing structure that provides all residential
customers with an allowance of energy for basic needs at a
lower rate. This rate structure was established by the State
Legislature and all utilities must follow it as ordered by
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
In
California, residential rates for electricity and natural
gas have two levels. The first level is the Baseline, which
is the least expensive rate. The next level is Non-Baseline,
a higher rate for energy use that exceeds your baseline allowance.
Does my baseline allowance change?
Yes, there are two seasonal changes to your baseline allowance
during the year, on May 1st and November 1st.
How is the baseline allowance determined?
Your baseline allowance amount is determined by six factors:
- Your rate.
- The
climate zone in which you live. Different climates mean
different energy needs, so allowances will vary.
- The
seasonal time of the year (summer or winter). Most allowances
change May 1st and November 1st because of the change of
seasons.
- A
percentage of the average energy usage of residential customers.
- The
fuel source for the space heating system installed in your
home (gas, electric, or other).
- The
number of days in the billing period.
A
key element in determining your baseline allowance is climate.
The CPUC divided SDG&E's service area into four climate zones:
(1) Coastal, (2) Inland, (3) Mountain, and (4) Desert. Single-family
dwellings in the Coastal and Inland zones will receive these
allowances:
|
DAILY BASELINE
ALLOWANCES
|
|
Climatic Zone 1 (Coastal)
|
Summer
(May 1 - Oct 31)
|
Winter
(Nov 1 - Apr 30)
|
|
May 1 - Oct 31 |
Nov 1 - Apr 30 |
| Basic: |
10.2 kWh per day |
10.8 kWh per day |
| All Electric: |
9.8 kWh per day |
16.6 kWh per day |
| Natural Gas: |
.493 therms per day |
1.546 therms per day |
|
Climatic Zone 4 (Inland)
|
Summer
(May 1 - Oct 31)
|
Winter
(Nov 1 - Apr 30)
|
| Basic: |
11.8 kWh per day |
11.5 kWh per day |
| All Electric: |
11.6 kWh per day |
19.1 kWh per day |
| Natural Gas: |
.493 therms per day |
1.546 therms per day |
|
People
living in the Mountain zone (3) will receive a higher allowance
for winter heating because of the colder weather. In the Desert
zone (4), people will have a higher allowance in the summer
for air conditioning.
How does baseline affect my tiered rate?
Under the current tiered rate system, your electric costs rise
based on the amount of electricity you use above the baseline allowance.
Your cost per-unit increases as your energy use increases.
Is
additional allowance available for medical reasons?
Additional baseline allowance is availabl
e to people who
use life support equipment, who have multiple sclerosis
or scleroderma,
who are paraplegic, quadriplegic or hemiplegic, or who
are being treated for a life-threatening illness or compromised
immune system. To receive this additional allowance, a doctor
must certify the special needs of the patient. For
more information and an application, click
here. |