Small Business Utility Programs

Small businesses are essential to local economies and communities, yet utility programs are often difficult to access, confusing to navigate, or misaligned with how small businesses operate.Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) works in utility regulatory proceedings to advance policy goals such as affordability, equity, reliability, and clean energy access for small business customers.

SBUA advocates for programs that are not only well-intentioned, but workable in practice.

SBUA Advocates for Programs That Deliver

Clear and transparent communication

Plain-language rules, predictable eligibility, and timely outreach so small businesses can meaningfully participate.

Equitable access to clean energy and electrification programs

Program designs that reduce barriers to participation and reflect small business scale, space constraints, and capital limitations.

Effective rebates and incentives

Incentive structures that recognize small business cash flow realities and provide timely reimbursement.

Flexible billing and payment options

Billing tools and payment plans that account for seasonal operations, variable revenue, and non-standard business hours.

Bill relief and affordability protections

Options that help small businesses manage high bills, recover from disruption, and avoid service disconnections.

Service reliability and continuity

Customer protections and program support that help keep the lights on—especially for small businesses providing essential goods and services.

Small Business Utility Pages

In California, learn more about current small business programs directly from your utility:

  • PG&E – Small business rebates, energy efficiency, clean energy programs, and billing options
  • SCE – Clean energy incentives, rate options, and small business resources
  • SDG&E – Small business programs, affordability tools, and energy management support

SBUA continues to advocate for improvements so that regulatory policy goals translate into real, usable benefits for small businesses.

Additional Small Business Utility Program Resources

  • PG&E Straight Talk Podcast - Connecting business customers to the tips and resources they need to improve operations and their bottom line.