Pacific Gas and Electric notified customers by email this week that the California Climate Credit that typically appears on April bills has been moved up to March.

The acceleration was approved last month by the California Public Utilities Commission to aid customers reeling from higher bills this winter.

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The credit is from a state program that requires major greenhouse gas emitters such as power plants, natural gas providers, and other large industries to buy carbon pollution permits. Money from the payments is shared with California consumers through the state program.

Because billing cycles can vary, PG&E warned in the email that not all customers may see the credit on their March bill, but those customers should then receive the credit on the April billing.

The credit applies to customers who receive electricity and/or natural gas from PG&E.

The Public Utilities Commission is in the process of reviewing a proposed rate increase for PG&E that will hike up utility rates even higher and would be retroactive to Jan. 1.

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