Under a program overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission for collecting funds from cap-and-trade auctions for greenhouse gas emissions, major natural gas utilities are providing credits to residential customers this month.

All residential customers automatically are to receive the credits from proceeds raised by the state from selling carbon emissions permits that are paid for by industrial businesses, power plant operators and natural gas producers.

The savings on household gas bills in April provided credits of $27.18 at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), $26.54 at Southwest Gas Corp., $26.15 from Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), and $21.11 at San Diego Gas and Electric Co. Similar credits for electricity utility customers are scheduled for August and September bills.

Including electricity rebates, San Francisco-based PG&E will provide a total credit of $62.91 for its residential customers.

“During the Covid-19 public health crisis, we know many of our customers may face uncertainty and financial instability, and we want them to be aware that the semi-annual climate credit will help reduce their energy costs,” said PG&E Senior Vice President Laurie Giammona.

“Drawn from the carbon pollution permit sales proceeds, the credit represents residential utility ratepayers’ share of the payments from the state’s program,” said SoCalGas spokesperson Melissa Bailey. “The credit program was created by the CPUC, which also oversees the program’s implementation, and the money is from the state, not from the utility, even though the utilities deliver the credit on the state’s behalf.”