With a boost in funding from California regulators to bring natural gas energy efficiency programs back in line with electricity incentives, Pacific Gas and Electric last Tuesday marked the official start of winter by adding nearly $8 million in funding for efficient appliances and residential/business equipment. The first rebates will be available Jan. 1.

“Residential [customers] and small, medium and large businesses will be eligible for rebates and incentives for natural gas products and measures under five existing programs,” the utility said in announcing the implementation of the added funding authorized earlier this fall by the California Public Utilities Commission.

The added funds are applied to residential and multi-family rebate programs, an express efficiency program for small and medium businesses, standard performance contracts for large industrial facilities, and energy design education, design assistance and cash incentive programs for the nonresidential customer sector.

The CPUC earlier approved a $19.7 million addition to the natural gas energy efficiency programs at PG&E’s utility and Sempra Energy’s two utilities, Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas and Electric. The CPUC and utilities said the 20% boost in gas efficiency programs is expected to save 8.7 million therms of natural gas — a 40% increase in energy-saving goals — statewide next year.

SoCalGas was awarded $10.43 million, PG&E $7.96 million, and SDG&E $1.36 million.

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