SVCE outlines affordability strategy: outreach, efficiency programs and targeted credits

Silicon Valley Clean Energy staff presented an update on the agency’s affordability strategic focus area, outlining outreach for income‑qualified customers, an expanded emphasis on energy efficiency and program design that bundles electrification with efficiency measures.

Justin, SVCE’s affordability lead, described the initiative as work across three pillars: education and outreach, advocacy, and rate and program design. He and billing lead Peyton Parks showed staff research illustrating that roughly two‑thirds of a typical SVCE bill is for transmission, distribution and other PG&E‑controlled charges that SVCE cannot directly set. "This is a big table. Don't try to read it right now," Justin said during the presentation, summarizing a multi‑track effort to align communications, programs and advocacy to lower customers’ total energy burden.

Peyton explained data staff used to estimate energy burden across census tracts and showed SVCE territory totals: the agency serves about 281,000 accounts, including roughly 27,000 Care/FERA accounts and about 16,000 customers in delinquency (more than 60 days past due). Peyton noted delinquency has increased roughly 50% since 2020.

Staff detailed several programmatic steps: (1) expanded promotion of energy efficiency tools (including PG&E‑administered offerings such as Home Intel), (2) targeted outreach to census tracts with concentrations of eligible low‑income customers and delinquent accounts, using multi‑language materials, direct mail, out‑of‑home advertising and community‑based organization partnerships, and (3) embedding efficiency measures in turnkey electrification programs (for example, bathroom fan timers, pipe insulation, lighting and efficient appliances) to reduce operating costs when customers electrify.

On advocacy, staff said SVCE will continue to engage in CPUC rulemakings and PG&E cases that shape transmission, distribution and PCIA policy, because those charges drive most of the final retail price customers pay. "This is a way where we can influence that," Justin said, describing participation in general rate cases and other proceedings.

Director questions focused on practical outreach and program scale. Board members asked about language access and partnerships with community organizations; staff said translations are planned and that a campaign using census hot‑spots will direct mail to about 5,000 likely eligible households while broader materials will be available to all customers. Staff also said they estimate current Care/FERA enrollment in SVCE territory is roughly 70–80 percent of eligible customers, leaving room for targeted outreach.

The presentation reiterated a recurring staff point: SVCE controls about one third of the retail electricity bill (generation), so while SVCE can design rates and programs to encourage electrification and time‑of‑use savings, broader reductions in total bills require changes to PG&E‑controlled charges or state policy.