Pacific Gas and Electric Company Launches 'E-BID' Program to Reduce Load During Peak Times

SAN FRANCISCO -- - Pacific Gas and Electric Company has announced that it will begin offering a new "price responsive" bidding program to its customers. The program, known as "E-BID," works by paying large commercial and industrial customers to use less power when demand on the system peaks and electric prices are high.

"This is an unique opportunity for customers to be part of the solution in meeting California's growing energy needs," said Al Torres, manager of the utility's Account Services department. "In addition, we expect that reducing electric demand when prices are high may result in a downward pressure on electric supply costs to our other customers as well."

The E-BID program, which was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission earlier this month, allows customers who purchase power from a utility to accept a payment offer at which they would agree to reduce their load by at least 20 percent. The program was approved as a pilot program. Pacific Gas and Electric Company will begin marketing the E-BID program to customers this spring.

E-BID is part of a statewide effort to meet California's increasing need for energy, and particularly, to prepare for "Summer 2000," which could bring with it record demands on the system as predicted by the California Independent System Operator, the agency responsible for managing California's power grid. On a statewide level, the CAISO is taking additional measures to ensure reliability. For more information on the CAISO, please visit their website at www.caiso.com.

CONTACT: Pacific Gas and Electric Company | News Department, 415/973-5930