Critical Peak Pricing Frequently Asked Questions

If your business can reduce energy during CPP events, you may benefit from CPP. CPP events are called 12 to 15 per calendar year on any day of the week between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

CPP events can be called year-round, 12 to 15 times per calendar year, any day of the week between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. However, CPP events usually occur during the summer season on the hottest summer days.

CPP events are usually called when electricity demand peaks due to extreme or unusual temperature conditions. Other triggers can include high energy prices, electrical emergency alerts issued by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), or a SCE system emergency that affects local grid operations. On these days, the cost of energy will increase during On-Peak demand times between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

No. You are not required to reduce electric load during a CPP event. However, all electric usage during a CPP event will be charged a significantly higher rate than normal.

No. Once a CPP event is called it cannot be canceled.

If you’ve signed up for notifications, we will notify you of a CPP event one day in advance. You can choose to receive an automated message from one of the following courtesy communications: phone, text, or email. You are responsible for keeping your contact preferences up to date with any changes.

You can also have notices delivered straight to your smartphone when an event is scheduled, when it starts, when it ends, or all three by downloading the SCE Demand Response (DR) Alerts mobile application.

Update Your CPP Notification Preferences

Once logged in, you can update your contact information for the CPP program on the Preference Center page. Click Continue to log in.

To check the status of active and historical events, visit the Demand Response Event Status at sce.com/drp/events or download the SCE DR Alerts mobile app.

Yes. Failure to receive a courtesy alert does not exempt you from reducing your energy use during an event, and you will be paying higher charges for the duration of the event. You are responsible for keeping your contact preferences up to date with any changes.

The ability to call CPP events throughout the year gives SCE more flexibility to call upon needed resources. Credits are only applied from June 1 to September 30 to help offset the typically higher energy costs during summer months. 

Most business customers receiving bundled service (delivery and generation of electricity) from SCE are eligible to participate in CPP. If you’re a bundled business customer, your account may already be on a CPP.

You may view your facility’s energy use with our online tool, My Account.

SCE's system load information is available on the OASIS page on the CAISO website, where you can view hourly system load and forecasts for each utility’s system within the CAISO control area.