Understand Your Bill

This credit comes from the California Cap-and-Trade Program, which requires power plants, fuel providers, and large industrial facilities that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution allowances. The credit on your bill is designed to help utility customers during the transition to a low-carbon future. Households and small businesses will receive the credit twice a year in the spring and again in the fall. You can use these savings to further reduce your energy costs and help fight climate change.

Learn more at cpuc.ca.gov/climatecredit.

What is a UUT?

A UUT is a tax levied by a city or county on your electric bill. It is established by tax ordinances in the city or county where you reside. It is not a tax levied or determined by SCE.

Does a UUT apply to all customers?

No. Not all cities and counties have a UUT. Currently only 79 cities and counties in SCE’s service territory levy a UUT, so not all SCE customers pay UUT.

What is changing?

Historically, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Climate Credit was applied to your energy charges prior to calculating any applicable UUT. UUT now will be calculated on energy charges before the Climate Credit is applied. This change affects residential, small commercial, and emission intensive and trade exposed customers that receive a GHG Climate Credit.

Why is this happening?

A city challenged SCE’s method of calculating UUT. SCE agreed to change its method on a going forward basis.

Who should I contact with questions about UUT charges on my bill?

All questions about UUT should be directed to the appropriate city or county finance or treasurer’s office. SCE is not able to answer questions about UUT.

What is a Greenhouse Gas Climate Credit?

For information on this State of California initiative, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/climatecredit

1. Turn off all sensitive appliances and electrical equipment.
2. Find your breaker box and turn off all the breakers.
3. Look around to see if somebody else's electricity (i.e., visible lighting or equipment) goes off when you turn off your breakers.
4. Examine your electrical meter. With your breakers off, your kilowatt hour display (the screen with “001” in the upper left-hand corner) should stop increasing.
5. If the display is still increasing, or if you notice that somebody else's electricity has gone out when you've turned off your own breakers, you should call your local police department to report the possible theft.

If you think that somebody is stealing electricity from you, notify local police. Do not attempt to confront individuals in person.