Californians could see nearly $90 off PG&E bill this month

Your April PG&E energy bill could be lowered by roughly $90 thanks to a biannual bill credit to combat climate change, according to PG&E.

The California Climate Credit, formulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, will be automatically applied to all of PG&E's residential customers' bill regardless of how much energy is used, according to the commission.

But the type of energy you receive determines your bill deduction.

How does California Climate Credit work?

Residential customers with natural gas bills will receive $47.83 off their upcoming bill and those with electrical bills will see a reduction of $39.30, according to a recent PG&E news release. Customers who receive both services will receive a total credit of $87.13.

Some customers, according to PG&E's California Climate Credit FAQ page, may have an outstanding balance in the amount of the credit in their online account but the issue should be resolved in the next billing period.

The next residential bill credit will be issued in October. The California Climate Credit could run through 2030.

Small businesses will not receive money off their April bill, but instead will receive a double credit on their October bill, according to the commission.

The credit comes from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits from auctions managed by the California Air Resources Board, according to the FAQ page. The credit on the electricity bill is the resident's share of the state program's payments.

What about mobile homes?

Mobile homes or any living arrangement where the landlord receives the utility bill directly are eligible for the April climate credit.

The landlord must pass on the electric and natural gas credits to the tenants.