Gov. Newsom announces automatic refunds on California electricity bills for October

(FOX40.COM) — Good news is underway for millions of Californians after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that California households will automatically see refunds on their October electricity bill through the California Climate Credit.
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According to Newsom, more than 11.5 million California households will receive refunds on their electricity bills, which stem from the historic legislation signed last week. The refunds are expected to grow starting in 2026, with up to $60 billion allocated to the electric Climate Credit through 2045.

“Millions of California families will see money back on their electricity bills in October – and that refund will be even bigger next year thanks to new laws I signed last week,” Newsom said. “Up to $60 billion will go back in your pockets, cutting your electric bills while we keep our historic momentum transitioning away from polluting fossil fuels.”

The state will provide payments in October that exceed $700 million for electric residential customers and $60 million for qualifying small business customers, according to Newsom. The average bill credit that will go back to people will be $61 per customer on electricity bills.

Newsom said customers received an identical electric credit already back in April. Combining with the April and October credits, most Californians will be receiving an average of $198 in utility bill refunds this year.

How it works

The refund ranges from $35 to $259 on electric bills, with most households set to receive between $56 – $81 in October, according to Newsom. Californians can check how much their refund will be here.

Newsom said Californians do not need to do anything to get the refund. The California Climate Credit comes from the State’s Cap-and-Invest Program, which is managed by the California Air Resources Board.