Winter 2023 Natural Gas Prices

Every year the CPUC closely tracks natural gas prices in preparation for the winter. This year prices have escalated dramatically since early December across the West. While the CPUC does not regulate natural gas prices or natural gas producers, given the impact of the high prices on utility customers, and given the role that natural gas plays in electricity production, upon seeing the price spikes in December the CPUC promptly took several actions:

• On March 16, 2023, the CPUC opened a new proceeding to investigate the causes and impacts of the winter 2022- 2023 natural gas price spikes and the potential for recurrence; the impact of the price spikes on natural gas and electric prices and customer bills; the potential threats to natural gas and electric reliability and price volatility in summer 2023 and beyond, and potential mitigations; and utility communications to customers to determine whether they were sufficient or require modifications.
  • Read our press release.
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• Directed utilities to enhance customer communications via email, social media, customer calls, bill inserts, community based organizations, television spots, and even text messages to those enrolled in text communications. This includes information on enrolling in income qualified programs such as CARE and FERA, enrolling in seasonal billing plans to stabilize monthly bills, opting into rate forecast tools, and strategies to safely conserve while retaining health, comfort, and safety during the holidays.
• Accelerated the timeframe in which residential energy customers will receive a Climate Credit on their bills. The combined natural gas and electric Climate Credit of roughly $90 to $120 will automatically show up as soon as possible, rather than in April, on the bills of customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Gas Company. Customers of Bear Valley, Liberty, PacifiCorp, and Southwest Gas will also receive an accelerated credit.
• Communicated with members of the Legislature, including:
  • Feb. 9, 2023: Letter from Senator Monique Limon
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Feb. 6, 2023: Letter from Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Feb. 6, 2023: Letter from Senator Dianne Feinstein
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Feb. 6, 2023: Letter from Senate Republican Caucus
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Jan. 30, 2023 Letter from Senate Republican Caucus
    • CPUC Response Letter 
  • Jan. 26, 2023 Letter from Senator Bradford
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Jan. 26, 2023 Letter from Assembly Republican Caucus
    • CPUC Response Letter
  • Jan. 12, 2023 Letter from Assemblymembers
    • CPUC Response Letter
• Scheduled an En Banc: Current Gas Market Conditions & Impacts of Gas Prices on Electricity Markets for Feb. 7, 2023 in coordination with the California Energy Commission and the California Independent System Operator to examine the causes and impacts of the high natural gas prices.
  • En Banc Recording
  • Media Advisory
  • Agenda 
  • Master Deck: Current Gas Market Conditions and Impacts of Gas Prices on Electricity En Banc
  • Panelist Presentations
    • California Energy Commission (CEC) Presentation
    • PG&E Presentations
    • Williamson Energy, Inc. Presentation
    • CPUC SED Presentation
    • CAISO DMM Presentation
    • SCE Presentation
    • LADWP Presentation
    • NW Energy Coalition Presentation
    • SoCalGas Presentation
    • PHMSA Presentation
  • Panelist Bios
• Other Materials and Resources
  • Dec. 15, 2023: CPUC Letter to Sempra Energy Regarding Utility Enhanced Communication Tools Including Opt-In Text Messages 
  • Dec. 15, 2023: CPUC Letter to PG&E Regarding Utility Enhanced Communication Tools Including Opt-In Text Messages 
  • Jan. 12, 2023: President Alice Reynolds's Voting Meeting Remarks on Natural Gas Prices  
  • Feb. 6, 2023: CAISO’s Special Report on Gas Conditions and CAISO Markets for December 2022 and January 2023 Published
  • Feb. 6, 2023: Governor Newsom Calls for Federal Investigation of High Natural Gas Prices as California Provides Relief

  • SoCalGas Natural Gas Prices

  • PG&E (GCP Core Procurement Rates/Residential)

  • I.23-03-008 High Gas Prices Investigation October 26, 2023 Workshop Recording | Recording Password: QmyPMda6 

  • I.23-03-008 High Gas Prices Investigation October 26, 2023 Workshop Presentations

  • I.23-03-008 High Natural Gas Prices in Winter 2022-23: Part I