Energy Charges & Billing Terms
Some common charges and terms on residential customer bills are described for your state below. Get details on business charges »
Choose your state for billing descriptions:
California
Basic Charge – Single-Phase & Three-Phase: This fixed, monthly charge covers some of the fixed costs associated with having electric service, including the cost of meters and meter reading, preparing and providing a bill, and other administrative costs.
Single-Phase Service: A service consisting of two “hot" wires and a neutral. Most residential services are set up with single phase service (120/240 volts).
Three-Phase Service: A service consisting of three “hot" wires and a neutral. Three-phase service can be many different voltages (for example: 120/208, 277/480 or higher primary voltages) and is most often used for commercial and industrial customers.
Energy Charge: This charge covers the costs of providing and producing electricity that are not recovered through the basic charge. Customers are charged for the number of kilowatt-hours they use.
Kilowatt-hours (kwh): A measure of energy that is equal to the amount of work done by 1,000 watts for one hour (e.g., with one kilowatt-hour, you can watch TV for about three hours). Consumers are charged for electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour.
Energy Charge – Baseline or Non-Baseline: Baseline rates are applicable only to separately metered residential rates. For customers on a straight residential schedule, kWh (kilowatt-hour) "baseline" electrical usage allotments are mandated within the schedule based on a number of factors, including the season of the year, county of residence, and whether or not the customer has electric water heating or permanently installed electric space heating. The baseline rate is the lowest rate per kilowatt-hour. Any usage exceeding the "daily baseline rate" is charged at a higher per kilowatt-hour rate (non-baseline rate).
CPUC Surcharge: This state-mandated surcharge supports the regulation of utilities by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Low Income Assistance: This state-mandated surcharge provides funds for energy assistance programs to help eligible low income households.
State Energy Resource Tax: Funds collected from this state-mandated charge support the operation of the California Energy Commission, which is the state's primary energy planning and policy agency.
Blue Sky Block: This charge appears only on the bills of customers who choose to support western region generated wind energy in 100 kilowatt-hour increments – called "blocks" – through the optional Blue Sky program. The total charge depends on the number of blocks a customer purchases each month. Participation in this voluntary program may also help support the development of community-based small-scale renewable energy projects.
Klamath Dam Removal Charges: This state-mandated surcharge provides for funding costs associated with the removal of Klamath River Dams as stipulated in the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement executed on February 18, 2010. The monies collected are currently in a trust held by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Residential CARE Adjustment: Applicable to residential low income households. The CARE Adjustment credit is equal to 20% of the energy and basic energy charges minus the State Energy resource tax.
More information may also be found in our company tariffs, which are approved and on file with state regulatory commissions. While we seek to keep this information accurate and current, if there is a conflict between the information provided below and the tariffs, the tariffs will control.
Oregon
Basic Charge – Single-Phase and Three-Phase: This fixed, monthly charge covers some of the fixed costs associated with having electric service, including the cost of meters and meter reading, preparing and providing a bill, and other administrative costs.
Single Phase Service: A service consisting of two “hot" wires and a neutral. Most residential services are set up with single phase service (120/240 volts).
Three Phase Service: A service consisting of three “hot" wires and a neutral. Three phase service can be many different voltages (for example: 120/208, 277/480 or higher primary voltages) and is most often used for commercial and industrial customers.
Delivery Charge: This charge covers some of the costs related to poles, lines, transformers, etc. used to deliver electricity from its source to the customer’s home or business.
Oregon Tax Charge: This state-mandated charge, which is adjusted up or down on June 1 of each year, covers the company’s Oregon income tax account.
Supply Energy Charge (Block 1, Block 2): This charge covers some of the costs of supplying electricity. Customers are charged for the number of kilowatt hours they use. The Company uses a two-tiered, or “Blocks,” pricing structure that is designed to encourage customers to save energy, which keeps customers’ energy bills low. Usage from 0-1,000 kilowatt-hours is considered Block 1 and usage of 1,001 kilowatt-hours and above is considered Block 2. Block 1 is priced at a lower rate than Block 2.
Kilowatt-hours (kwh): A measure of energy that is equal to the amount of work done by 1,000 watts for one hour (e.g., with one kilowatt- hour, you can watch TV for about three hours). Consumers are charged for electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour.
Public Purpose: A state-mandated charge that provides funds for energy efficiency services and programs, which are offered to customers to help them lower their energy usage.
Energy Conservation Charge: This state-mandated charge funds cost-effective energy conservation measures related to the Oregon Renewable Energy Act.
Low Income Assistance: This state-mandated charge collects funds and forwards them to a state agency, which provides energy assistance to eligible low-income households.
J C Boyle Dam Removal: This state-mandated charge provides funding for the removal of the JC Boyle Dam as stipulated in the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement executed Feb. 18, 2010. The monies collected are currently in a trust held by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
Copco & Iron Gate Dams Removal: This state-mandated charge provides funding for the removal of the COPCO and Iron Gate dams as stipulated in the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement executed Feb. 18, 2010. The monies collected are currently in a trust held by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
BPA Columbia River Benefits: The Bonneville Power Administration Columbia River Benefits credit – applied to all kilowatt-hour usage between 0-1,000 kilowatt-hours per month – is applied to the bills of all qualifying customers as part of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act.
Blue Sky Block: This charge appears only on the bills of customers who choose to support western region generated wind energy in 100 kilowatt-hour increments – called "blocks" – through the optional Blue Sky program. The total charge depends on the number of blocks a customer purchases each month. Participation in this voluntary program may also help support the development of community-based small-scale renewable energy projects.
Blue Sky Habitat: This charge (in addition to the “Habitat Fund” charge) appears only on the bills of customers who choose to support a blend of renewable resources equal to their monthly electricity usage through participation in the optional Blue Sky Habitat program.
Habitat Fund: This fixed monthly charge appears only on the bills of customers who choose to participate in the optional Blue Sky Habitat program, which helps fund projects that restore and preserve native fish habitats in Oregon.
Blue Sky Usage: This charge, which appears only on the bills of customers who choose to support a blend of renewable resources equal to their monthly electricity usage through participation in the optional Blue Sky Usage program.
On-peak Summer Energy Charge: This charge is for the electricity usage a Time of Use customer used during on-peak hours.
On-peak Hours: In the winter (November 1 through March 31), on-peak hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will be adjusted for Daylight Saving Time. In the summer (April 1 through October 31), on-peak hours are Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will be adjusted for the return to Standard Time in the autumn.
Off-peak Energy Credit: This credit reflects the number of kilowatt-hours of electricity a Time of Use customer used during off-peak hours.
Off-peak Hours: Any hour that is not an on-peak hour, plus the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Time of Use Meter Charge: This fixed, monthly fee appears on the statements of customers who elect to participate in the Time of Use program and covers the cost of the Time of Use meter.
Solar Meter Charge: Customers who elect to participate in the Oregon Solar Incentive Program pay this fixed fee for the use of a special meter.
City Utility Tax: This charge is collected on behalf of a city, generally pursuant to a city ordinance. All taxes are remitted to the city requiring the tax for its use.
Multnomah County Fee: To recover from consumers residing in Multnomah County, the Multnomah County Business Income Tax (MCBIT) paid by Pacific Power in accordance with Chapter 12 of the Multnomah County Code and OAR 860-022-0045, and to establish the automatic adjustment clause and balancing account required by OAR 860-022-041.
Multnomah County Income Tax Adj: A balancing account maintained to accrue any differences between Pacific Power's actual Multnomah County Income Tax (MCBIT) adjustment expense and the amount collected from consumers through the MCBIT rate. Any over or under collection of the MCBIT expense is addressed with this MCBIT Adjustment Rate.
Washington
Basic Charge – Single-Phase and Three-Phase: This fixed, monthly charge covers some of the fixed costs associated with having electric service, including the cost of meters and meter reading, preparing and providing a bill, and other administrative costs.
Single-Phase Service: A service consisting of two “hot" wires and a neutral. Most residential services are set up with single phase service (120/240 volts).
Three-Phase Service: A service consisting of three “hot" wires and a neutral. Three phase service can be many different voltages (for example: 120/208, 277/480 or higher primary voltages) and is most often used for commercial and industrial customers.
Energy Charge: This charge covers the costs of providing and producing electricity that are not covered through the basic charge. Customers are charged for the number of kilowatt-hours they use. The Company uses a two-tiered, or “Blocks,” pricing structure that is designed to encourage customers to save energy, which keeps customers’ energy bills low. Usage of 0-600 kilowatt-hours is considered Block 1 and usage of 601 kilowatt-hours and above is considered Block 2. Block 1 is priced at a lower rate than Block 2.
Kilowatt-hours (kwh): A measure of energy that is equal to the amount of work done by 1,000 watts for one hour (e.g., with one kilowatt-hour, you can watch TV for about three hours). Consumers are charged for electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour.
Hydro Deferral Surcharge: This charge covers costs incurred when unfavorable hydro conditions led Pacific Power to purchase energy on short-term contracts to meet customer need.
Renewable Energy Credit: This item provides a credit to customers to reflect the revenues the company receives from the sale of renewable energy credits from its wind facilities.
Bill Assistance Program: This state-mandated surcharge provides funds to cover energy assistance programs for eligible low income households.
BPA Columbia River Benefits: The Bonneville Power Administration Columbia River Benefits credit is applied to the bills of all qualifying customers as part of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act.
Blue Sky Block: This charge appears only on the bills of customers who choose to support western region generated wind energy in 100 kilowatt-hour increments – called "blocks" – through the optional Blue Sky program. The total charge depends on the number of blocks a customer purchases each month. Participation in this voluntary program may also help support the development of community-based small-scale renewable energy projects.
Utility Tax: This charge is collected on behalf of a city, generally pursuant to a city ordinance. All taxes are remitted to the city requiring the tax for its use.
Washington State Utility Tax: Tax collected by the state on the gross income derived from the operation of public and privately owned utilities. The state utility tax amount is included in the total Energy Charges itemized on your bill. Utilities are required to identify the amount of State Utility tax included in the Energy Charge separately on the customer statement.
