In May 2020, the Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors voted to temporarily freeze rates for customers on the CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline financial assistance programs.
The freeze was implemented as part of CPA’s COVID-19 relief effort to protect vulnerable customers during a quickly evolving economic crisis with unprecedented impacts to employment and financial wellbeing.
As California has made strides in pandemic recovery, the board voted to end the temporary rate freeze for CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline customers as of October 1, 2022. Standard CARE, FERA and Baseline Medical rates with their typical discounts have resumed for customers.
Since 2020, CPA invested more than $27 million in subsidies to support our most vulnerable customers through:
Rate freeze – $10.1 million in benefits to CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline rate customers who did not have an increase in electricity generation rates since the freeze was implemented.
Bill credits – $2 million spent to support customers experiencing challenges paying their electric bill.
The California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) – $15.8 million in bill credits to assist eligible customers who have fallen behind on their electric bill.
Additionally, CPA has provided equitable access to renewable energy to customers on CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline assistance programs. These customers located in communities with 100% Green Power as the default energy option will continue to receive 100% Green Power at the lower Clean Power rate
Customers were notified of the sunsetting of the subsidy through bill messages that will continue to run through the end of the year and targeted social media outreach. Customers still in need of additional help have also been directed to information about CPA’s numerous financial assistance programs here.