CITY CREDIT FOR CPS ENERGY CUSTOMERS TO APPEAR ON DECEMBER BILLS
Customers can opt out and give credit to bill payment assistance program or weatherization
September 27, 2022 (SAN ANTONIO) – On December bills, CPS Energy customers will receive a credit from the City of San Antonio as part of recent action by City Council. High natural gas prices, combined with extremely hot weather this summer, have resulted in extraordinary customer bills and revenues to the City that exceed normal expectations. In recognition of the unusual one-time nature of these additional revenues coupled with the current high inflationary environment consumers are experiencing, City Council approved returning $50 million back to CPS Energy customers as part of the adoption of the City’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. City Council’s action also recognizes the City’s current strong financial position and that the level of additional revenue generated exceeds normal variances.
All active CPS Energy electric customers will receive direct credits based on their July 2022 electric usage. In total, customers will receive $42.5 million which will be fairly credited to all CPS Energy electric customers in the same way it was collected with the average residential customer receiving a $29 credit.
“Returning this revenue is the least the City can do for the public, which owns CPS Energy and deserves consideration at a time when high energy prices are taking a toll on household budgets,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “For those who feel they can afford to pass up the credit, we are providing the opportunity to opt out to better help our neighbors in need.”
City Council approved the remaining $7.5 million to help low-income customers who have past due balances with up to $300 in assistance, which cannot exceed their total past due balance, and who are also, as of July 31, 2022, enrolled in:
- CPS Energy’s Affordability Discount Program (ADP);
- Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) assistance, meaning received a REAP benefit during 2022; or,
- CPS Energy’s Critical Care Program.
The City is placing $5.5 million of the $7.5 million in the REAP Immediate Assistance Fund and $2 million for future assistance. CPS Energy is also contributing $1 million to REAP this year and an additional $2 million for distribution in line with REAP’s governing rules.
Residential and business customers who do not have a past due balance may opt out of receiving the credit and redirect those funds to REAP to help their neighbors in need or contribute to weatherization of homes, including minor repairs. Beginning in November, customers will be able to indicate their preference to opt out.
“We will apply the City’s credit and continue to deliver needed assistance to our most vulnerable customers,” said CPS Energy President & CEO Rudy D. Garza. “If you plan to opt out of the credit, please let CPS Energy know as soon as possible in November so we can redirect the dollars to your preferred choice of bill assistance or the weatherization program.”
Residential customers who want to know the range of their credit can log into Manage My Account online by mobile phone or PC and view their July bill. The range of a customer’s credit will be based on their July electric usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) as shown below:
- Up to 1,000 kWh, credit up to $18
- 1,000 – 2,000 kWh, credit $18 – $36
- 2,001 – 4,000 kWh, credit $36 – $72
For more information, details on REAP participation and eligibility, and frequently asked questions, visit City Credit for CPS Energy Customers at cpsenergy.com.
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About CPS Energy
Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to more than 907,526 electric and 373,998 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities – while generating $8 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for 80 years. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation.
