Your energy bill probably went up due to PG&E’s recent rate increase. Learn more about the rate increases, and how Ava is helping you save money every month on your bill. Learn more.
Understand Your Energy Bill
We want to help you understand your energy bill so you can save money and use cleaner energy. As an Ava customer, you still get your energy bill from PG&E. We can help you understand what the charges are, what they mean, and find more ways to save.
How it works
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Billing from PG&E
You get a single bill each month from PG&E that includes Ava charges.
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It’s Not an Additional Charge
Ava charges REPLACE the generation charges that PG&E used to charge you. It is not a new or additional charge compared to what you used to pay.
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Receive a Monthly Credit
As an Ava customer, PG&E issues a Generation Credit each month. That credit is the amount PG&E would have charged you for generation services, and it offsets Ava charges.
On October 24, 2023, EBCE became Ava. We are still in the process of updating our branding. This information is accurate and current, even though it may say EBCE instead of Ava.
Understand your bill
Below is a sample bill with call out notes to explain what the different charges mean.
Page 1 of your energy bill
A. YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER
You will need this number if you change your Ava service level or choose PG&E service.
B. PG&E DELIVERY CHARGES
This is PG&E’s charge to deliver electricity over their transmission lines, maintain infrastructure, and provide other services including their customer service and billing.
C. AVA ELECTRIC GENERATION CHARGES
This charge covers Ava’s cost of purchasing clean electricity for customers, plus relevant local taxes.
D. TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
This is the total amount you pay to PG&E for all charges from both PG&E and Ava.
Pages 3 and 4 of your energy bill
E. GENERATION CREDIT
Ava now provides generation service for customers in Alameda County and the City of Tracy, so PG&E credits this charge back to your account to avoid any duplication of generation fees. The credit is what PG&E would have charged you for electricity.
F. POWER CHARGE INDIFFERENCE ADJUSTMENT
PG&E charges Ava customers a Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA), which is calculated based on the number of kilowatt-hours used each month. The PCIA is intended to ensure that Ava customers pay the difference between what PG&E paid for power contracted to serve them prior to their switch, and the current market value of that power. The PCIA charge is factored into Ava’s rate setting process.
G. FRANCHISE FEE SURCHARGE
This fee is collected by PG&E to cover costs associated with rights to use public streets to provide gas and electric service. This fee is factored into Ava’s rate setting process.
H. RATE SCHEDULE
This line shows two things. The initial letter(s) and/or number combination show your rate schedule as determined by PG&E. For residential customers this is commonly E1 or TOUC. After the base rate schedule you will see the Ava service you are on: Bright Choice. Renewable 100 customers will be charged based on the Brilliant 100 rate and will see an additional line item with the Renewable 100 premium.
I. NET CHARGES
This is the amount Ava collects for the power that you use.
J. ENERGY COMMISSION TAX
This fee is collected on behalf of the California Energy Commission and applies to all customers, regardless of service provider.
