Pacific Gas and Electric Company last week received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to provide financial relief to every electric customer with a one-time credit based on their electricity bills for the period that includes the July heat storm.

The Heat Storm Bill Credit is set at 15 percent for all residential customers and 10 percent for all other customers, including agricultural, business, commercial and governmental entities.

“We recognized right away that some customers would be hit hard, and we quickly came up with a proposal to assist,” said Helen Burt, PG&E senior vice president and chief customer officer. “This puts $125-$150 million back in the hands of our customers in the fastest way possible.”

Electric customers will receive the credit on their October bill based on the amount charged during the summer heat storm, which blanketed California July 16-27. The storm affected thousands of South Bay residents, including those in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. For some customers, the period may span two billing cycles, in which case the company will provide a credit based on the larger bill.

The Heat Storm Bill Credit follows the unprecedented July heat wave, during which customers’ electricity usage increased by an average of 28 percent. The average residential bills increased an average of 44 percent, from about $79 to $114. Regions such as the Central Valley, where typical summer residential use is higher than average, saw even higher increases.

For more information, visit PG&E’s site at www.pge.com.