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SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2023 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in order to increase information and access to affordability programs, today directed the state’s investor-owned energy utilities to create a new web portal that will provide low-income consumers statewide with a single application process from which to obtain information and apply to multiple energy assistance programs.
Programs that will initially be included in the single application process are the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program, the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. ESA, CARE, and FERA are income-qualified programs available to households at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. ESA provides no-cost, direct install energy efficiency upgrades and services. CARE and FERA provide discounts on electric and natural gas utility bills. Additional programs in other industries may be added to the process in the future.