Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) Rate Selection Guide
Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is a community-owned municipal utility serving roughly 67,000 electric customers in Pasadena, California. Billing and usage data flow through the MyMeter customer portal (VertexOne), with Green Button and full interval data slated to arrive as PWP completes its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollout.
Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) Rate Schedule Comparison
| Schedule | Type | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-1 Small C&I | Commercial | Flat $0.12860/kWh energy; $17.00 grid access; no demand charge | Small shops, offices, light commercial under 30 kW |
| M-1 Medium C&I (Secondary) | Commercial | $16.09/kW demand + ~$0.130/kWh energy + $250 grid access | Mid-size buildings 30-299 kW on secondary service |
| L-1 Large C&I (Secondary) | Industrial | $18.76/kW demand + TOU energy + $1,500 grid access | Large facilities >300 kW, secondary voltage |
| L-2 Large C&I (Primary) | Industrial | $11.89/kW demand + TOU energy + $1,500 grid access | Large facilities >300 kW that can take primary voltage (lower demand charge) |
Market Overview
Pasadena Water and Power is a municipal electric utility governed by the Pasadena City Council and Municipal Services Committee. Rates are set locally, not by the CPUC, and there is no competitive retail supply or community choice aggregation in the territory. C&I customers take bundled service under PWP's published electric schedules (S-1, M-1/M-2, L-1/L-2).
Need to pull your actual usage data to compare rates? See the Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) Data Access Guide →
Current Rate Schedules
Verified from PWP's Water & Power Rates Card updated September 29, 2025 (Electric Winter Monthly Rates effective 10/01/2025). PWP C&I electric service is tiered by size: Small (S-1, <=30 kW), Medium (M-1 secondary / M-2 primary, 30-299 kW) and Large (L-1 secondary / L-2 primary, >300 kW). Medium and Large schedules add a per-kW demand-based distribution charge and a fixed monthly Grid Access Fee. Both flat and time-of-use energy options are offered.
Effective: October 1, 2025 · Full Tariff Book →
| Schedule | Type | Applicability | Structure | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-1 Small Commercial & Industrial (<=30 kW) | commercial | C&I customers with demand of 30 kW or less. | Customer charge $9.42/mo + Grid Access Fee $17.00/mo + Distribution $0.06423/kWh + Transmission $0.01609/kWh. Energy: flat $0.12860/kWh, or TOU on-peak $0.13261 / off-peak $0.12441 per kWh (winter, eff. 10/01/2025). | — |
| M-1 Medium Commercial & Industrial - Secondary (30-299 kW) | commercial | Medium C&I customers, 30-299 kW, taking secondary-voltage service. | Customer charge $23.40/mo + Grid Access Fee $250.00/mo + Distribution demand charge $16.09/kW + Transmission $0.01609/kWh. Energy: flat $0.13043/kWh or TOU on-peak $0.13408 / off-peak $0.12615 per kWh (winter, eff. 10/01/2025). | — |
| M-2 Medium Commercial & Industrial - Primary (30-299 kW) | commercial | Medium C&I customers, 30-299 kW, taking primary-voltage service. | Customer charge $29.75/mo + Grid Access Fee $250.00/mo + Distribution demand charge $11.49/kW + Transmission $0.01590/kWh. Energy: flat $0.12951/kWh or TOU on-peak $0.13311 / off-peak $0.12543 per kWh (winter, eff. 10/01/2025). | — |
| L-1 Large Commercial & Industrial - Secondary (>300 kW) | industrial | Large C&I customers above 300 kW, secondary-voltage service. | Customer charge $47.91/mo + Grid Access Fee $1,500.00/mo + Distribution demand charge $18.76/kW + Transmission $0.01609/kWh. TOU energy: on-peak $0.13409 / off-peak $0.12489 per kWh (winter, eff. 10/01/2025). | — |
| L-2 Large Commercial & Industrial - Primary (>300 kW) | industrial | Large C&I customers above 300 kW, primary-voltage service. | Customer charge $53.90/mo + Grid Access Fee $1,500.00/mo + Distribution demand charge $11.89/kW + Transmission $0.01590/kWh. TOU energy: on-peak $0.13447 / off-peak $0.12459 per kWh (winter, eff. 10/01/2025). | — |
Rate Recommendations by Use Case
Mid-size commercial building (30-299 kW)
Medium C&I customers should focus on demand management and evaluate primary-voltage service.
M-2 primary carries a $11.49/kW demand charge vs $16.09/kW on M-1 secondary; if you can take primary voltage, the lower demand charge usually outweighs the higher customer charge.
- Identify the 15-minute peak driving billing demand
- Evaluate transformer ownership for primary service
- Use TOU energy if loads are shiftable
Large industrial / campus (>300 kW)
Large facilities should prioritize peak shaving and primary-voltage service on L-2.
L-2 primary's $11.89/kW demand charge is far below L-1 secondary's $18.76/kW; both are TOU-only, so peak-demand control is the dominant cost lever given the $1,500 monthly grid access fee.
- Deploy battery storage or load controls to cut peak kW
- Move flexible production to off-peak windows
- Track demand continuously once AMI interval data is available
Small business / light commercial (<=30 kW)
Small C&I customers on S-1 have no demand charge, so focus on energy efficiency and the flat-vs-TOU choice.
S-1 bills a flat $0.12860/kWh (or TOU) with only a $17 grid access fee and no demand charge, so total kWh and efficiency drive the bill.
- Compare flat vs TOU based on your usage shape
- Invest in lighting/HVAC efficiency
- Enroll in PWP rebate programs
Historical Rate Trends
PWP updates its electric rate card multiple times per year (e.g., January, June, July, October 2025 editions), reflecting seasonal winter/summer schedules and periodic adjustments approved by the City Council. A December 2025 Electric Rate Study (draft) was underway to inform future adjustments.
October 1, 2025
Electric Winter Monthly Rates effective; C&I schedules S-1/M/L published in the September 29, 2025 rate card.
n/aOverall trend: Rates have been adjusted upward modestly and seasonally; PWP issued multiple 2025 rate-card revisions and commissioned a 2025 rate study.
Next expected change: Outcomes of the December 2025 Electric Rate Study and the next seasonal (summer) rate card are the next expected changes.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Because PWP C&I bills are driven by per-kW demand charges and fixed Grid Access Fees, the highest-impact strategies are demand reduction and (where feasible) taking primary-voltage service.
Peak demand management
For: M-1/M-2/L-1/L-2 (>30 kW)
Stagger large loads and use controls/storage to shave the 15-minute peak that sets billing demand on M and L schedules.
Take primary-voltage service
For: Medium/Large customers with transformer capability
Customers able to own/operate transformers can move from M-1/L-1 (secondary) to M-2/L-2 (primary) and cut the per-kW demand charge by roughly $4-$7/kW.
Shift load to off-peak (TOU)
For: S-1/M/L on TOU energy
On TOU energy options, move flexible kWh to off-peak periods to capture the modest on/off-peak spread.
AB 802 benchmarking & efficiency
For: Covered buildings (50k+ sqft / 5+ accounts)
Use whole-building data from PWP to benchmark in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and target efficiency projects.
To implement these strategies, you need your 15-minute interval data. Learn how to download Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) interval data →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a commercial energy consultant get my PWP usage data?▾
Yes. PWP supports two paths: add the consultant as an Authorized User (Commercial) in MyMeter, or submit a written, customer-signed data request to WPD_Answerline@cityofpasadena.net. PWP typically returns billing and usage data within 5-10 business days, and whole-building AB 802 data within 30 days.
Does PWP offer interval (15-minute) data for C&I accounts?▾
Not yet. PWP currently provides daily aggregated usage in MyMeter. Granular 15/30-minute interval data is expected after PWP completes its AMI smart-meter deployment (estimated 2026-2028), at which point Green Button download and Connect My Data are planned.
Is there a demand charge on PWP commercial rates?▾
Yes. PWP's Medium (M-1/M-2) and Large (L-1/L-2) C&I schedules bill a per-kW distribution charge against monthly demand (for example $18.76/kW on L-1 Secondary as of the 10/01/2025 winter rate card), plus a fixed monthly Grid Access Fee. Managing peak demand directly reduces these charges.
Can I get whole-building data for ENERGY STAR benchmarking?▾
Yes, under California AB 802. If your building is 50,000+ sq ft or has 5+ active utility accounts, request the Building Energy Use & Public Disclosure form from PWP; they deliver Portfolio Manager-ready data within 30 days of a complete request.
Does PWP have retail electric choice / supplier shopping?▾
No. PWP is a municipal utility, so electricity is provided as bundled service under City Council-approved rate schedules. There is no competitive retail supplier shopping or CCA within the PWP territory.
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