Have a vineyard client in Sonoma County that's been on PG&E's AG-1 rate for 3 years but they've never applied the TOU variants even though client has significant evening irrigation loads during off-peak hours. Bill is running $8,200/month when should be closer to $6,400 on AG-1-TOU Option B. Anyone dealt with PG&E agricultural TOU issues? - Rosa A.
PG&E Time-of-Use Variants Not Applied - Agriculture Rate Nightmare
Rosa, PG&E agriculture rates are tricky because they have multiple TOU options and the utility rarely volunteers the best one. AG-1-TOU Option B is great for evening irrigation but you need to prove the load pattern justifies it. What's their peak hour usage profile look like? - Reggie H.
Reggie, about 65% of their monthly kWh occurs between 9 PM and 6 AM for irrigation pumps. Peak period (4-9 PM) usage is minimal except during harvest season. Seems like perfect fit for Option B but PG&E keeps saying current rate is fine. - Rosa A.
That load profile screams AG-1-TOU Option B qualification. PG&E probably has them on standard AG-1 because it generates higher revenue. File formal rate schedule change request citing Section AG-1.3 of their tariff. Include 12 months of interval data showing off-peak concentration. - Steven
Steven thanks for the tariff reference. Found AG-1.3 and you're right - client clearly qualifies. Submitted formal request with interval data. PG&E responded that they need "agricultural operation verification" which seems like stall tactic. What documentation typically satisfies this? - Rosa A.
For PG&E ag verification usually need county agricultural assessor documentation showing agricultural land use classification, irrigation system engineering specs, and sometimes crop production records. Pain in the neck but they'll approve once you jump through hoops. - Wendy K.
Thanks Wendy. Gathered all that documentation plus soil and water conservation district certification. Resubmitted request. This should be straightforward rate optimization but PG&E makes everything complicated. Will update when resolved. - Rosa A.
Finally approved! PG&E switched them to AG-1-TOU Option B effective next billing cycle. No retroactive adjustment unfortunately but going forward will save about $1,800/month. Lesson learned - agricultural TOU variants require extra documentation but worth the effort. - Rosa A.