The most economically vulnerable electrical customers - the poor and seniors on fixed incomes - already receiving 20 percent discounts on their electricity bills will also receive a 15 percent rate reduction on top of that if South San Joaquin Irrigation District is able to enter the retail power business.

SSJID General Manager Jeff Shields noted the irrigation district is committed to accepting every existing rate class including those PG&E has certified for the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program and providing the 15 percent rate reduction on top of existing discounts.

Shields noted that if the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission approved SSJID’s request to provide retail power in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon the only discount that wouldn’t continue would be the 25 percent discount that employees and retirees of PG&E receive. SSJID employees do not receive discounts for water and will not receive discounts for electricity should SSJID enter the retail power business.

The SSJID proposal would not impact natural gas prices as PG&E would continue to provide natural gas in the three communities.

CARE is mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Low-income customers enrolled in the CARE program receive a 20 percent discount on their electric and natural gas bills. Eligible utility users in households with one or two individuals must gross less than $31,300 a year. The income cap is $36,800 for a household of three, $44,400 for a household of four, $52,000 for a household of five, $59,600 for a household of six, and $7,600 for each additional household member.

For more information on the CARE program is accessible at the PG&E website by going to www.PGE.com/CARE/