Baseline allowance is your energy allowance for basic needs and is charged at the lowest rate. It is set by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and it is designed to encourage conservation.
Every customer is allotted a daily baseline allowance and given a set amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day. This usage amount is determined by various factors.
Once your usage exceeds the baseline allowance (tier one), your total electric rates becomes progressively higher. For residential electric usage, SDG&E has a four-tiered rate structure.
You will see the greatest increase in how much you pay for electricity in tiers three and four.
Have your bill handy and check out how increased energy use can make a big difference in your bill. You can enter different energy use amounts to see how rates rise in the tiers.
You will need your bill to enter certain information so the calculator can give you the right information.