PG&E’s CNG customers will ride on, thanks to state-funded rebate
SAN FRANCISCO—Drivers who use compressed natural gas in their vehicles in California aren’t just helping the environment. Now they are eligible for annual rebates from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. worth a combined $4 million.
PG&E announced the launch of its new Clean Fuel Rebate program in July. “By participating in the statewide Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, PG&E generates credits when customers purchase compressed natural gas as a clean transportation fuel,” PG&E spokesman Ari Vanrenen told American Gas. “After selling these credits to regulated parties, PG&E returns the revenue to its compressed natural gas customers through the Clean Fuel Rebate.”
The annual rebate will continue through 2020, and the 2017 rebate will be the largest, since it retroactively accounts for customer usage starting Jan. 1, 2011, and running through Sept. 30, 2016. Based on consumption, rebate amounts will appear as a credit on customers’ bills.
California is recognized as a state leader in combating climate change and is encouraging use of clean fuels to protect the environment. Transportation accounts for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, according to state figures. Since CNG is one of the cleanest-burning fuels, each mile driven using CNG will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent compared to gasoline cars and 25 percent compared to diesel trucks, Vanrenen said. CNG is mainly used by businesses or government agencies for their fleet vehicles.
About 1,300 eligible customers have active CNG accounts to fuel their vehicles at PG&E stations in northern and central California. “Clean-fuel vehicles are a critical part of creating cleaner air and meeting our ambitious climate goals in California,” said Aaron Johnson, PG&E vice president of Customer Energy Solutions. “Providing this rebate for natural gas vehicles is part of our ongoing commitment to clean transportation. We continue to support our customers who are adopting clean fuels to reduce their environmental impact and move toward the state’s clean energy future.”
