Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) or PG&E and SCE: what a household pays beta
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) buys the electricity for 30 member cities; PG&E and SCE delivers it and sends the bill. Pick your city, rate plan and usage to see the official comparison of a typical bill on each Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) product and on PG&E and SCE, with an estimate for your own usage.
Every plan on the official comparison
The typical monthly bill printed on the comparison for each residential rate plan, and the difference from PG&E and SCE (red: more, blue: less).
3CE customers in PG&E territory
PG&E–Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) joint rate comparison: 3CE rates current as of February 15, 2026 · PG&E rates current as of March 1, 2026. Source (fetched 2026-10-20).
| Plan | Typical use | PG&E | 3Cchoice default |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 Tiered · sheet: E-1 | 370 kWh | $155.59 | $168.97 +8.6% |
| E-1 CARE Tiered · sheet: E-1L | 342 kWh | $80.43 | $92.81 +15.4% |
| E-TOU-C Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOUC | 356 kWh | $146.58 | $159.49 +8.8% |
| E-TOU-C CARE Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOUCL | 326 kWh | $74.60 | $86.41 +15.8% |
| E-TOU-D Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOUD | 656 kWh | $255.78 | $279.51 +9.3% |
| E-TOU-D CARE Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOUDL | 538 kWh | $124.30 | $143.76 +15.7% |
| E-ELEC Electric home · sheet: E-ELEC | 1,012 kWh | $352.65 | $389.55 +10.5% |
| E-ELEC CARE Electric home · sheet: E-ELECL | 1,008 kWh | $208.12 | $244.88 +17.7% |
| EV2-A Electric vehicle · sheet: EV-2A | 728 kWh | $237.09 | $263.55 +11.2% |
| EV2-A CARE Electric vehicle · sheet: EV-2AL | 765 kWh | $144.33 | $172.16 +19.3% |
3CE customers in SCE territory
SCE–Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) joint rate comparison: SCE’s 2024 climate zone load profiles from baseline region 6, SCE’s published rates as of June 1, 2026 and CCCE's published rates as of February 15, 2026. Source (fetched 2026-10-20).
| Plan | Typical use | SCE | 3Cchoice default | 3Cprime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D Tiered · sheet: DOMESTIC | 424 kWh | $162.73 | $171.76 +5.5% | $175.15 +7.6% |
| D CARE Tiered · sheet: D-CARE | 424 kWh | $96.19 | $105.22 +9.4% | $108.61 +12.9% |
| D FERA Tiered · sheet: D-FERA | 424 kWh | $123.55 | $132.58 +7.3% | $135.98 +10.1% |
| TOU-D-4-9 Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm · sheet: TOU-D-4-9 | 424 kWh | $160.78 | $169.79 +5.6% | $173.18 +7.7% |
| TOU-D-4-9 CARE Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm · sheet: TOU-D-4-9-CARE | 424 kWh | $94.88 | $103.88 +9.5% | $107.28 +13.1% |
| TOU-D-4-9 FERA Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm · sheet: TOU-D-4-9-FERA | 424 kWh | $121.96 | $130.96 +7.4% | $134.36 +10.2% |
| TOU-D-5-8 Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm · sheet: TOU-D-5-8 | 424 kWh | $160.64 | $169.64 +5.6% | $173.03 +7.7% |
| TOU-D-5-8 CARE Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm · sheet: TOU-D-5-8-CARE | 424 kWh | $94.78 | $103.78 +9.5% | $107.17 +13.1% |
| TOU-D-5-8 FERA Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm · sheet: TOU-D-5-8-FERA | 424 kWh | $121.84 | $130.85 +7.4% | $134.24 +10.2% |
| TOU-D-PRIME Time-of-use PRIME · sheet: TOU-D-PRIME | 424 kWh | $166.70 | $175.72 +5.4% | $179.11 +7.4% |
| TOU-D-PRIME CARE Time-of-use PRIME · sheet: TOU-D-PRIME-CARE | 424 kWh | $98.88 | $107.89 +9.1% | $111.28 +12.5% |
| TOU-D-PRIME FERA Time-of-use PRIME · sheet: TOU-D-PRIME-FERA | 424 kWh | $126.82 | $135.83 +7.1% | $139.22 +9.8% |
Why the bills differ
The delivery part of the bill goes to PG&E and SCE whichever provider you choose. What differs is the price of the power itself and the exit fee (the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment, PCIA): a charge on CCA customers for power contracts the utility signed before they left, set by the CPUC each year by the year the customer's community left (its “vintage”). How it moved since 2018, by utility and vintage: the exit fee by year.
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), 3Cchoice: the power price is 11.06¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.09¢ (1.03¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 3.74¢ for 3CE customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (4.66¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 3.63¢ a kWh, or $12.91 on the typical 356 kWh bill (+8.8%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), CARE, 3Cchoice: the power price is 11.12¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.15¢ (1.03¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 3.74¢ for 3CE customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (4.66¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 3.63¢ a kWh, or $11.81 on the typical 326 kWh bill (+15.8%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm (TOU-D-4-9PM), 3Cchoice: the power price is 11.48¢ a kWh against SCE's 11.49¢ (the same). The exit fee and franchise fee (SCE's “surcharges”: the Cost Responsibility Surcharge, which includes the PCIA, and the franchise fee) is 2.13¢ for 3CE customers and 0.00¢ for SCE customers (2.13¢ more). (SCE prints no surcharge for its own customers: their share is inside its generation rate.) Delivery is the same. Net: 2.12¢ a kWh, or $9.01 on the typical 424 kWh bill (+5.6%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm (TOU-D-4-9PM), CARE, 3Cchoice: the power price is 11.48¢ a kWh against SCE's 11.49¢ (the same). The exit fee and franchise fee (SCE's “surcharges”: the Cost Responsibility Surcharge, which includes the PCIA, and the franchise fee) is 2.13¢ for 3CE customers and 0.00¢ for SCE customers (2.13¢ more). (SCE prints no surcharge for its own customers: their share is inside its generation rate.) Delivery is the same. Net: 2.12¢ a kWh, or $9.00 on the typical 424 kWh bill (+9.5%).
The difference over time
Every comparison found from 2021 on, most of them from archived copies (utilities overwrite these sheets in place).
| Rates as of | Plan | Utility bill | Products (vs the utility) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG&E March 1, 2026 / CCA February 15, 2026 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 370 kWh | $155.59 | 3Cchoice default $168.97 +8.6% | source |
| SCE January 1, 2026 / CCA February 15, 2026 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 424 kWh | $163.62 | 3Cchoice default $172.65 +5.5% 3Cprime $176.04 +7.6% | source |
| PG&E January 1, 2026 / CCA February 15, 2025 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 377 kWh | $156.14 | 3Cchoice default $169.77 +8.7% | source |
| PG&E September 1, 2025 / CCA May 1, 2025 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 377 kWh | $164.38 | 3Cchoice default $163.79 −0.4% | source |
| SCE June 1, 2025 / CCA April 1, 2025 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 541 kWh | $194.75 | 3Cchoice default $194.14 −0.3% 3Cprime $198.47 +1.9% | source |
| SCE March 1, 2025 / CCA April 1, 2025 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 541 kWh | $198.86 | 3Cchoice default $198.25 −0.3% 3Cprime $202.58 +1.9% | source |
| PG&E March 1, 2025 / CCA April 1, 2025 3CE PG&E territory | E-TOU-C · 363 kWh | $158.29 | 3Cchoice default $158.23 0.0% | source |
| March 1, 2025 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 377 kWh | $168.05 | 3Cchoice default $167.46 −0.4% | source |
| January 1, 2025 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 377 kWh | $165.52 | 3Cchoice default $166.21 +0.4% | source |
| PG&E October 1, 2024 / CCA January 1, 2024 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 389 kWh | $171.23 | 3Cchoice default $162.73 −5.0% | source |
| SCE June 1, 2024 / CCA July 1, 2024 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 520 kWh | $193.00 | 3Cchoice default $191.33 −0.9% | source |
| PG&E June 1, 2024 / CCA January 1, 2024 3CE PG&E territory | E-TOU-C · 375 kWh | $172.57 | 3Cchoice default $158.71 −8.0% | source |
| SCE March 1, 2024 / CCA April 1, 2024 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 520 kWh | $196.15 | 3Cchoice default $194.38 −0.9% 3Cprime $198.54 +1.2% | source |
| PG&E April 1, 2024 / CCA January 1, 2024 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 389 kWh | $181.72 | 3Cchoice default $165.35 −9.0% | source |
| SCE June 1, 2023 / CCA July 1, 2023 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 569 kWh | $209.73 | 3Cchoice default $207.79 −0.9% 3Cprime $212.35 +1.2% | source |
| SCE March 1, 2023 / CCA March 15, 2023 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 569 kWh | $198.30 | 3Cchoice default $196.48 −0.9% 3Cprime $201.03 +1.4% | source |
| SCE January 1, 2023 / CCA January 10, 2023 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 569 kWh | $199.17 | 3Cchoice default $197.35 −0.9% 3Cprime $201.90 +1.4% | source |
| January 1, 2023 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 393 kWh | $139.81 | 3Cchoice default $115.69 −17.3% | source |
| SCE June 1, 2022 / CCA June 8, 2022 3CE SCE territory (Santa Barbara County cities in SCE service area) | DOMESTIC (D) · 564 kWh | $178.03 | 3Cchoice default $176.92 −0.6% 3Cprime $181.43 +1.9% | source |
| March 1, 2022 3CE PG&E territory | E-1 · 394 kWh | $136.19 | 3Cchoice default $125.77 −7.7% | source |
| PG&E March 1, 2021 / CCA March 5, 2021 3CE PG&E territory | E-TOU-C · 427 kWh | $122.60 | 3Cchoice default $122.50 −0.1% | source |
| March 1, 2021 3CE PG&E territory (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, SLO, Santa Barbara counties) | E-1 · 444 kWh | $126.77 | 3Cchoice default $126.64 −0.1% 3Cprime $130.19 +2.7% | source |
Your options
Switch to another Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) product
Web form (separate forms for pg&e and sce customers). Central Coast Community Energy (3CE): change your product.
Return to PG&E
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE): opt out · 1-877-455-2223.
“There is no charge for opting out of 3CE before or within the first 60 days of service. Opt-out requests after 60 days of 3CE service are charged a one-time administrative fee ($5 per residential account; $25 per commercial account).” source
“If you opt out within the first 60 days of 3CE service, you can return to 3CE service at any time. If you've used 3CE service for 60 days or more and then switch to PG&E or SCE, state law dictates that you must remain with PG&E or SCE for at least one year before you have the option to return to 3CE, even if 3CE costs less than PG&E or SCE.” source
PG&E's rules for returning customers
After 60 days: six months’ notice: “Former Bundled Service Customers that have been Automatically Enrolled in CCA Service returning to bundled service after the Follow-up Notification Period must provide the CCA with a six (6) month advance notice and are subject to the terms and conditions of Bundled Portfolio Service (BPS) as set forth below.” source
Or return at once: “Alternatively, customers have the ability to return immediately (at or about the next scheduled meter read) to Utility service and receive Transitional Bundled Service (TBS) commodity pricing terms as set forth in PG&E Schedule TBCC and be subject to the provisions and applicable charges of the CCA Cost Responsibility Surcharge as set forth in Schedule CCA-CRS for 6 months after returning to utility service.” source
Then a minimum stay: “Customers receiving this service make a one-year commitment and shall not be allowed to return to CCA service until their one-year minimum period has been completed. ... In the event a customer receives service under TBS during the six-month advance notice period, the time served under TBS shall apply toward the one-year BPS commitment.” source
Re-entry fee: “b. CUSTOMER RE-ENTRY This charge is imposed on the customer. This fee covers the cost of processing customer requests to switch back to PG&E Bundled Service after the Opt-Out period has expired. Fee ... $4.24 account” source
Member cities and their default product
The default product is the one a city's customers are enrolled in unless they choose another; where a CCA offers several, each member city's council chooses it. Every city's default and the council decisions behind it.
| City | Default product | Comparison | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Grande | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Atascadero | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Buellton | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Capitola | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Carmel | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Carpinteria | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in SCE territory | source |
| Del Rey Oaks | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Goleta | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in SCE territory | source |
| Gonzales | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Greenfield | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Grover Beach | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Guadalupe | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Hollister | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Marina | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Monterey | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Morro Bay | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Pacific Grove | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Paso Robles | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Pismo Beach | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Salinas | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| San Juan Bautista | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| San Luis Obispo | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Sand City | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Santa Cruz | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Santa Maria | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Scotts Valley | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Seaside | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Soledad | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Solvang | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
| Watsonville | 3Cchoice | 3CE customers in PG&E territory | source |
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) in the CCA money pages: finances, credit ratings, money returned to customers, and money between Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and its member city governments. · Every CCA