East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is now Ava Community Energy (Ava). New name, new look. Same clean energy, low rates, and local programs.

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Understand Your Energy Bill

Woman holding a paper bill

We want to help you understand your energy bill so you can save money and use cleaner energy. As an Ava customer, you still get your energy bill from PG&E. We can help you understand what the charges are, what they mean, and find more ways to save.

Select the section below that best fits what you’re looking for:

How it works
Calculate your savings
Understand your bill
Changes on your energy bill

How it works

On October 24, 2023, EBCE became Ava. We are still in the process of updating our branding. This information is accurate and current, even though it may say EBCE instead of Ava.

Calculate your savings

Use the formula below and refer to the following example bill to compare your PG&E bill (including Ava service) to what you would otherwise pay PG&E (without Ava service). Customers on Ava’s Bright Choice plan can expect to pay slightly less than they would have paid PG&E. Customers on Ava’s Renewable 100 service pay slightly more than they would have paid PG&E, but purchase power from 100% California wind and solar.

You can download a PDF version to print and calculate your savings on your own.

Download Here (PDF)

Understand your bill

Below is a sample bill with call out notes to explain what the different charges mean.

Page 1 of your energy bill

A. YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER

You will need this number if you change your Ava service level or choose PG&E service.

B. PG&E DELIVERY CHARGES

This is PG&E’s charge to deliver electricity over their transmission lines, maintain infrastructure, and provide other services including their customer service and billing.

C. AVA ELECTRIC GENERATION CHARGES

This charge covers Ava’s cost of purchasing clean electricity for customers, plus relevant local taxes.

D. TOTAL AMOUNT DUE

This is the total amount you pay to PG&E for all charges from both PG&E and Ava.

Sample bill breakdown image

Pages 3 and 4 of your energy bill

E. GENERATION CREDIT

Ava now provides generation service for East Bay customers, so PG&E credits this charge back to your account to avoid any duplication of generation fees. The credit is what PG&E would have charged you for electricity.

F. POWER CHARGE INDIFFERENCE ADJUSTMENT

PG&E charges Ava customers a Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA), which is calculated based on the number of kilowatt-hours used each month. The PCIA is intended to ensure that Ava customers pay the difference between what PG&E paid for power contracted to serve them prior to their switch, and the current market value of that power. The PCIA charge is factored into Ava’s rate setting process.

G. FRANCHISE FEE SURCHARGE

This fee is collected by PG&E to cover costs associated with rights to use public streets to provide gas and electric service. This fee is factored into Ava’s rate setting process.

H. RATE SCHEDULE

This line shows two things. The initial letter(s) and/or number combination show your rate schedule as determined by PG&E. For residential customers this is commonly E1 or TOUC. After the base rate schedule you will see the Ava service you are on: Bright Choice. Renewable 100 customers will be charged based on the Brilliant 100 rate and will see an additional line item with the Renewable 100 premium.

I. NET CHARGES

This is the amount Ava collects for the power that you use.

J. ENERGY COMMISSION TAX

This fee is collected on behalf of the California Energy Commission and applies to all customers, regardless of service provider.

Sample bill breakdown