CCA and SDG&E Rate Comparisons
Together with your CCA, we provide a Joint Rate Comparison of typical electric rates, average monthly charges and power sources.
Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA)
The PCIA (which stands for Power Charge Indifference Adjustment) is not a new charge. All customers in SDG&E’s service territory have been paying the PCIA to cover the costs of older long-term energy contracts. The PCIA just used to be lumped in with other charges rather than called out as a separate line item on the energy bill.
The California Public Utilities Commission required a separate line item on the bill for the PCIA charge as a way to raise awareness that all customers are responsible for paying for the costs of legacy contracts. As of November 1, 2021, all customers’ bills include a PCIA line item.
The PCIA is now listed as a separate line item on everyone’s bill, not just the bills of Community Choice Aggregation customers and Direct Access customers.
The PCIA is a charge to ensure that all customers (regardless of who procures energy on their behalf) pay their fair share of legacy contract costs. SDG&E entered into energy contracts on behalf of their customers based on their needs at the time. Even though many customers have since transitioned to CCAs for their commodity service, SDG&E is still responsible for paying for the costs of the contracts.