California’s three big investor-owned utilities had not announced a residential rate change for October 1, 2026 as of September 29, 2026. That is different from October 2025, when Southern California Edison raised its average residential rate from 31.2 to 35.3 cents per kWh. This article covers what is in effect now and what could still change.
Quick Summary
These are the most recent verified changes for each utility, not October 1 changes. All figures are average residential rates or utility-estimated bills, not your personal rate.
| Utility | Effective Date | Previous Rate | New Rate | Change | Customer Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Edison | June 1, 2026 | 34.5 ¢/kWh | 34.4 ¢/kWh | -0.1% | Typical 500 kWh bill: $187.56 to $187.40 |
| PG&E (bundled customers) | March 1, 2026 | February 2026 rates | Not stated in source | -1.8% | Typical 500 kWh bill down about $5.14 per month |
| SDG&E (bundled customers) | January 1, 2026 | Not stated in source | Not stated in source | About +4.7 ¢/kWh | Average bundled residential rate increase |
What Is Changing on October 1, 2026?
Nothing has been officially posted. SCE’s rate advisory page still listed June 1, 2026 as its current change when checked on September 29. California utilities file consolidated rate changes with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) several times a year, so a filing could still appear.
How Much Could Your Electric Bill Change?
Use the estimates each utility publishes for a typical customer. SCE’s estimates assume 500 kWh per month. Your bill will differ based on your rate plan, usage and whether you get electricity supply from the utility.
Which Customers Are Affected?
The figures above apply to customers who get both electricity supply and delivery from their utility (“bundled” customers). Many Californians buy supply from a city or county Community Choice Aggregator instead. In that case the utility sets only the delivery portion, and your provider sets the generation rate.
What This Means for Homeowners With Solar
Because no October 1 change is confirmed, there is no new solar effect to report from that date. In general, a higher retail rate makes power you avoid buying more valuable and a lower one does the opposite. Check your bill and your export compensation rules under your utility’s solar billing tariff; SCE calls its version the Solar Billing Plan.
What Homeowners Should Check on Their Electric Bill
- Your rate plan name (tiered or time-of-use) and the hours of your peak window.
- Whether you have a fixed monthly charge. SCE began moving residential customers to a Base Services Charge on November 15, 2025, and PG&E introduced its own in March 2026.
- Whether the generation charge comes from your utility or from a Community Choice Aggregator.
- The California Climate Credit. SCE and SDG&E apply it in April and October.
What Happens Next?
PG&E’s 2027-2030 General Rate Case is pending, and PG&E does not expect customer rates related to it to change until January 2027 at the earliest. Watch your utility’s rate advisory page around October 1 for any consolidated filing.
Published: September 30, 2026 Last verified: September 29, 2026
Sources
- SCE Rate Advisory: https://www.sce.com/save-money/rates-financing/sce-rate-advisory
- SCE Rate Advisory, October 1, 2025: https://www.sce.com/save-money/rates-financing/sce-rate-advisory/20251001
- SCE Rate Advisory, January 1, 2026: https://www.sce.com/save-money/rates-financing/sce-rate-advisory/20260101
- PG&E press release, March 2, 2026: https://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2026/PGE-Lowers-Electric-Prices-in-March-Fifth-Electric-Rate-Drop-Since-Early-2024/default.aspx
- PG&E press release, December 30, 2025: https://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/PGE-to-Lower-Electric-Prices-on-Jan--1-Fourth-Decrease-in-Two-Years/default.aspx
- PG&E General Rate Case page: https://www.pge.com/en/regulation/general-rate-case.html
- SDG&E January 2026 Electric Rate Change Alert: https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/January%202026%20Electric%20Rate%20Change%20Alert.pdf
- CPUC Public Advocates Office, Q2 2026 Electric Rates Report: https://www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cal-advocates-website/files/press-room/reports-and-analyses/260727-public-advocates-office-q2-2026-electric-rates-report.pdf
- CPUC Rate Change Advisories: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/electric-rates/rate-change-advisories
Fact-Check Before Publication
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SCE June 1, 2026: 34.5 to 34.4 ¢/kWh; $187.56 to $187.40; -0.1% | SCE Rate Advisory page | Verified (fetched Sept 29) |
| SCE Oct 1, 2025: 31.2 to 35.3 ¢/kWh | SCE Oct 1, 2025 advisory | Verified |
| SCE Base Services Charge implemented Nov 15, 2025 | SCE Jan 1, 2026 advisory | Verified |
| No SCE Oct 1, 2026 advisory listed | SCE Rate Advisory page | Verified as of fetch; re-check Oct 1 |
| PG&E March 1, 2026: -1.8%, about -$5.14/month | PG&E press release, Mar 2, 2026 | Verified (utility source) |
| PG&E rates unchanged since March 2026 | CPUC Public Advocates Q2 2026 report (dated July 27) | Verified only through the report date |
| PG&E GRC rates not expected to change before Jan 2027 | PG&E GRC page | Verified |
| CCA/Direct Access generation rates set by provider | PG&E press release, Dec 30, 2025 | Verified |
| SDG&E Jan 1, 2026: about +4.7 ¢/kWh bundled residential | SDG&E rate change alert | Verified (snippet); full PDF not read |
| SCE/SDG&E Climate Credit applied April and October | SCE advisory; SDG&E alert | Verified |
| PG&E Base Services Charge started March 2026 | PG&E press release, Mar 2, 2026 | Verified; dollar amount NOT verified, left out |
| SDG&E small decreases in June and August 2026 | Secondary sources only | NOT verified, left out |
| October 2026 Climate Credit amounts | None found | NOT verified, left out |
| PG&E status for September 2026 | No advice letter found | NOT verified from a primary filing |
Re-check all three utilities’ advisory pages on October 1 and add a lastmod: if anything changes.
Frequently asked questions
Are California electricity rates going up on October 1, 2026?
No official October 1, 2026 increase had been published by PG&E, SCE or SDG&E as of September 29, 2026. Utilities can still file changes, so check your utility's rate advisory page.
What was the last SCE rate change?
SCE's June 1, 2026 change lowered the average residential rate from 34.5 to 34.4 cents per kWh. For a typical 500 kWh month, SCE estimated the bill fell from $187.56 to $187.40.
Will my rate change if I buy power from a Community Choice Aggregator?
Possibly. PG&E says it does not set the generation rates that Community Choice Aggregator and Direct Access providers charge, so those customers should ask their provider.