About 3.1 Million PG&E Customers To Get Refund

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Millions of people who get their electricity from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will soon see a one-time drop in their electric bill.

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a refund of $424.4 million because of what the utility terms an "over-collection."

In approving the refund, the CPUC says energy costs were lower than expected after PG&E's rates were updated last year.

Though the utility provides electricity for 15 million homes and businesses, the refunds will be going to only about 3.1 million customers who were charged higher rates for using additional electricity above an established "baseline."

PG&E, a subsidiary of PG&E Corp., says the refunds will be issued as a one-time credit in the November/December billing cycle, with the average credit expected to be about $35.