The Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) is a state-mandated fee that compensates SDG&E for long-term energy contracts when customers switch to community choice providers like CEA. The California Public Utilities Commission sets these rates annually, and they increased substantially for 2026. SDG&E's 2026 PCIA rates increased dramatically: between 3.5 and 5.4 cents per kilowatt-hour depending on when your city joined CEA. CEA has no control over PCIA rates, but they are working to protect customers from the impacts.

The rate relief credit is designed to ensure the average residential and commercial CEA customer pays the same or less per month as an SDG&E bundled customer. Residential customers enrolled in Clean Impact service will receive a credit of about $0.039 or 3.9 cents per kWh, achieving parity or savings compared to SDG&E. Small commercial customers on Clean Impact can save $6 to $8 per month compared to SDG&E. Medium and large commercial customers can save $240 to $485 per month depending on the year their city joined CEA. Agricultural customers will see a 6.9% rate reduction across all agricultural schedules.

The rate relief credit applies from February 1st, 2026, to December 31st, 2026. 

Clean Impact provides 50% renewable energy and is competitive with SDG&E rates, especially with the new rate relief credit. Clean Impact Plus is CEA’s default option with 50% renewable/75% carbon-free energy content. With the new rate relief credits, the average customer on Clean Impact will achieve parity or savings compared to SDG&E.

CEA is protecting customer value:

• CEA approved $10.6 million in rate relief to shield customers from PCIA increases beyond their control.
• PCIA rates are set by the state and designed to benefit investor-owned utilities.
• As of January 29, the average customer enrolled in the Clean Impact product will pay equal to or less than SDG&E rates after these measures take effect.

Rate relief demonstrates the benefits of local control:

• Unlike SDG&E, CEA can make responsive decisions that prioritize the community's needs.
• They're using CEA's financial reserves strategically to benefit customers and provide cost relief.
• CEA answers to our communities, not distant shareholders.

Relief and benefits extend to all CEA customers under the Clean Impact product:

• Residential customers receive $0.03871/kWh credit.
• Commercial customers receive $0.02657/kWh credit.
• All agricultural customers receive a 6.9% rate reduction.
• Customers can opt down from the Clean Impact Plus or Green Impact product to Clean Impact to maximize savings.