The Affordable Way for California

Paving the Affordable Way

Natural gas remains one of California's most affordable household energy resources. It helps keep bills low,
supports renewable electricity, provides backup during extreme weather and reduces energy burden for
vulnerable customers.

Why it Matters

Existing infrastructure keeps costs low

Natural gas is affordably transported, stored, and delivered primarily through underground pipelines and distribution and transmission lines are not expected to require significant expansion to meet future demand.

Storage protects reliability

California underground storage can hold 323 Bcf of natural gas - enough energy to power every California home for more than a year and can deliver up to 16 times more daily energy than batteries and pumped hydro combined.

Natural gas backs up renewables

Natural gas provides dispatchable energy when renewable generation is limited, especially in the morning, evening and winter.

Supplied 40% of CA’s Electric Generation

In 2024, natural gas supplied 40% of in-state electric generation, while renewables supplied 32%. Natural gas ramps up when solar output declines.

Energy Burden Relief

Approximately 1.76 million SoCalGas customers are enrolled in CARE. CARE provides a 20% discount on qualifying low-income customer’s bills.

Helped Avoid $120M in Energy Costs

During Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, SoCalGas withdrew more than 8 Bcf from storage, supplied nearly 60% of system demand at the storm peak and helped Southern Californians avoid more than $120 million in energy costs.

Affordability at a Glance

Natural gas provides 2/3
of household energy

30 states have higher natural gas
bills than California

Natural gas costs 1/4
of household energy bills

Natural gas bills are the lowest monthly
household costs in California

Compared to their natural gas bills, average Californians spend twice as much on streaming, audio, and video, three times as much on electricity, and six times as much on gasoline. Natural gas provides more than 60% of an average Southern Californian’s energy output yet represents less than 30% of total home energy (electric and gas) bills.

Electric & Natural Gas Bill Prices

Since 2000, inflation-adjusted California residential electricity rates rose about 60% while average SoCalGas residential natural gas rates declined about 25%.

Additional Resources

Message funded by shareholders