We want to make it as easy as possible for you to read and understand your natural gas bill each month. If you have questions about how your bill is calculated or what's included on it, the following information should be helpful.
You can always view or print a copy of your most recent or past bills online in My Account.
- Log on to My Account or Register today!
- Go to View and Pay My Bill.
General Information
1. Your account number and service address
2. The Account Summary section shows your previous balance and payment, plus any current charges.
3. Your bill due date and the total amount due.
How Your Current Charges are Calculated
Rates are regulated and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Current Charges section on your bill is based on three components multiplied by the number of units of natural gas you used, plus taxes and fees:
4. Total Therms – calculates the total units of natural gas you used during the defined billing period. This number is used to calculate the total cost of your natural gas service.
5. Customer Charge – based on days of service.
6. Gas Transportation Charge – the cost to deliver your natural gas.
7. Gas Commodity Charge – the cost of natural gas purchased by SoCalGas on behalf of its customers.
8. Taxes and Fees – this includes the CPUC-mandated Public Purpose Surcharge, as well as any state or local fees and taxes. Customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program will see the discount reflected as a separate line item, and CARE customers have a reduced Public Purpose Surcharge.
Your Personalized Natural Gas Usage
9. Usage History – the bar graph shows your natural gas usage over the past 13 months (if available). Log in to or sign up for My Account for more detailed usage information.
10. Your Usage – the gauge visually depicts your natural gas usage and the total cost per therm for this billing cycle. Your Baseline Therms are displayed in blue (Baseline Transportation Rate per therm, plus Gas Commodity Cost) and your Over Baseline Therms are displayed in orange (Over Baseline Transportation Charges, plus Gas Commodity Cost).
11. You may receive important messages, including information about Assistance Programs and tools that could help you manage your energy usage.
12. Go paperless through My Account to view and pay your bills online, enroll in weekly Bill Tracker Alerts, and more.
What Determines the Commodity Cost?
Some people think that SoCalGas produces natural gas, but we actually don't. We buy natural gas for our residential and smaller business customers from producers and marketers at the best possible prices on the open market.
The natural gas costs are not marked up and are shown on your bill as the Gas Commodity Cost per Therm, located in the lower-right corner of your bill. These rates are based on a 30-day forecast of natural gas market prices. This gives you a clear picture of the current price of natural gas.
You can see monthly Commodity Costs here.
How are Transportation Costs Calculated?
All transportation costs are regulated by the CPUC and allow us to recover the costs of natural gas delivery. These costs include pipeline, meter, regulator and service line maintenance. Transportation rate changes are approved by the CPUC through a three-year General Rate Case (GRC) application process and other proceedings.
You can see more information on how Transportation Costs are determined here.
You can see the current Transportation Rates here.
How Does the Baseline Allowance Affect My Bill?
The Baseline Allowance is determined by the CPUC, under the direction of the State Legislature, to be the amounts of natural gas needed to meet the minimum basic needs of the average home. The goal of the Baseline Allowance is to encourage efficient use of natural gas. You will be billed at the lowest rate for natural gas usage below the Baseline Allowance. Usage above the Baseline Allowance is billed at a higher rate.
The baseline allowance is different for each climate zone in our service area. Your zone and baseline allowance are noted in the Current Charges area of your bill.
What Does the Billing Factor Mean?
The billing factor adjusts the amount of gas measured for differences in delivery pressure, altitude and meter calibration. Because we cover such a wide geography, we make adjustments for differences in elevation and delivery pressure to reflect the heat value of the natural gas. This ensures that customers in all areas are charged equally for the value of the gas they use. Monthly billing factor information can be found here.
What does the Public Purpose Surcharge Pay For?
This charge is used to fund Public Purpose Programs such as California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), Energy Savings Assistant Program, energy efficiency and research development. CARE customers are excluded from paying the CARE portion of the surcharge.
What Other Charges Might I See on My Bill?
Charges From Other Companies
As a convenience, we provide billing services to other companies selling energy-related or home safety-related products and services to our customers. Here is the contact information if you have any questions about these charges.
- Just Energy Solutions Inc. 1-877-226-3649
- HomeServe/HEIS 1-888-302-0137
Fees and Taxes
Depending on where you live, we may also collect required state and city fees and taxes.