The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday accelerated the timeline for residential electric customers to receive a climate credit on their bills to provide support for customers facing unusually high natural gas bills this winter.

The California Public Utilities Commission has ordered utilities to provide the climate credit to residential customers as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the planned April deadline.

An aggregate climate credit of approximately $90 to $120 will automatically appear on Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Company bills as soon as possible. Bear Valley, Liberty, PacifiCorp and Southwest Gas customers will also receive accelerated credit. For specific amounts, see cpuc.ca.gov.

Rising natural gas prices, which are passed on directly to utility customers at cost, will drive up electricity bills across the state this winter. While the California Public Utilities Commission does not regulate gas prices or gas producers, given the impact of these high prices on ratepayers, the commission acted quickly to expedite the climate credit.

Each spring and fall, millions of Californians receive credits on their electric and natural gas bills called the California Climate Credit. Customers don’t need to do anything to get a loan. Households usually receive a climate credit on their bills for October, November, April and May each year, regardless of energy consumption or bill amount.

For more information about the California Public Utilities Commission, please cpuc.ca.gov.