Where to pay Danville utilities and what payment methods work
Danville is served by PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric), which handles both electricity and natural gas for the city. You can pay your PG&E bill through several channels: online at pge.com, by phone at 1-800-743-5000, by mail to the address printed on your bill, or in person at a local payment center. PG&E also accepts automatic bank transfers and credit card payments, though credit cards may carry a processing fee.
If you prefer to pay in person without going to a PG&E office, you can use third-party payment locations like grocery stores or check-cashing services that display the PG&E logo. These locations typically charge a small fee for the transaction. The fastest way to confirm your payment went through is to check your account online within 24 hours — online payments usually post the same day or next business day.
Payment due dates appear on your bill and are typically 21 days from the bill date. If you miss the due date, PG&E will add a late charge to your next bill. If your bill is more than 30 days overdue, PG&E may disconnect your service, though they must send a disconnection notice first.
Key Takeaways
- PG&E is the utility company serving Danville for both electricity and natural gas, and you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
- Online payment through pge.com is the fastest method and usually posts within 24 hours, letting you confirm payment immediately.
- Automatic bank transfers avoid late fees and missed payments, and you can set them up through your PG&E account.
- Late payments trigger a fee added to your next bill, and service disconnection can happen if your account is 30 days overdue.
- Third-party payment locations like grocery stores accept PG&E payments but charge a small fee for the service.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
The easiest way to never miss a due date is to set up automatic bank transfer through your PG&E account. Log into pge.com, go to "Billing & Payments," and select "Autopay." You can choose to pay your full bill each month or a fixed amount. PG&E will deduct the payment automatically on your due date, and you will receive an email confirmation each time.
Automatic payments work best if your bill amount stays roughly the same month to month. If your usage varies widely (for example, if you use much more gas in winter), you may want to review your autopay amount each quarter to make sure it covers your actual bill. You can pause or cancel autopay at any time through your account.
If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to link one to your utility account, you can still set a phone reminder for your due date and pay by phone or online manually. This takes a few minutes but gives you control over the exact payment date.
Understanding your bill and what you are paying for
Your PG&E bill shows three main charges: the energy charge (the cost of the electricity or gas you used), the delivery charge (the cost to maintain the pipes and wires that bring energy to your home), and taxes and surcharges. The energy charge is what changes most month to month based on your usage. The delivery charge is fixed and covers infrastructure maintenance.
Your bill also shows your usage in kilowatt-hours (for electricity) or therms (for gas). Comparing your usage month to month can help you spot unusual spikes — for example, a much higher bill in summer might mean your air conditioner is running longer than expected, or a higher winter bill might signal a gas leak. If your usage seems wrong, you can request a meter reading or check whether PG&E estimated your usage instead of reading the meter.
PG&E bills on a monthly cycle, and your bill date depends on when your meter is read. You can view your bill online a few days before the paper copy arrives, which gives you time to plan payment.
What to do if you cannot pay your full bill on time
If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact PG&E before your due date. You have several options: a payment arrangement lets you split your bill into smaller payments over a set period (usually 10 to 30 days), and you will not be charged a late fee as long as you stick to the schedule. Call 1-800-743-5000 or use your online account to request an arrangement.
PG&E also offers CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) for households that meet income limits. These programs reduce your monthly bill by 15 to 35 percent. You can learn whether you may be may be able to access by calling 1-877-846-9481 or visiting pge.com/care. Income limits and program details vary by year.
If you are facing disconnection, call PG&E immediately. Disconnection cannot happen on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, and PG&E must give you at least 10 days' notice. During that notice period, you can set up a payment arrangement or contact a local community action agency for emergency bill assistance.
Checking your account online and reading your bill details
Create a free account at pge.com to view your bill, payment history, and usage anytime. Log in with your account number (found on your bill) and set up a password. Once logged in, you can see your current bill, past bills, and a graph of your usage over the past year. This is useful for spotting trends — for example, whether your winter bills are climbing year over year.
Your online account also shows the exact date your payment was received and applied. If you pay by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to post. If you pay online or by phone, it usually posts within 24 hours. You can also set up email alerts to remind you before your due date.
If you notice a charge on your bill that you do not recognize, you can dispute it through your online account or by calling 1-800-743-5000. PG&E will investigate and respond within 30 days.
Payment options if you do not have internet or a bank account
Not everyone has reliable internet or a bank account, and PG&E knows this. You can pay by phone using a debit card, credit card, or bank account number by calling 1-800-743-5000. A representative will process your payment over the phone, and you will receive a confirmation number. There is no fee for phone payments.
You can also pay in person at a PG&E payment center or at authorized third-party locations. To find a payment location near you, visit pge.com/paymentlocations or call 1-800-743-5000. Bring your bill or account number and cash or a debit card. Some locations accept checks, but verify before you go.
If you receive a paper bill by mail and prefer to pay by mail, write your account number on the check and mail it to the address on your bill. Allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery and processing. Paying by mail is slower than other methods, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I pay late?
PG&E adds a late charge to your next bill if payment arrives after your due date. The charge is a percentage of your unpaid balance. If your account stays unpaid for 30 days or more, PG&E will send a disconnection notice. You then have 10 days to pay or set up a payment arrangement before service is shut off.
Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill?
Yes. Call 1-800-743-5000 with the account number of the person whose bill you want to pay, and a representative will process your payment. You can also pay online if you have access to that account. Some third-party payment locations also accept payments for other people's accounts if you provide the account number.
Is there a fee for paying online?
No. PG&E does not charge a fee for online payments made through pge.com. However, some third-party payment services or credit card processors may charge a small fee. Always check before you complete the transaction.
How do I know if my payment was received?
Log into your PG&E account online and check your payment history. Online and phone payments post within 24 hours. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. You can also call 1-800-743-5000 to confirm your payment was received.
What if I think my bill is wrong?
Check your usage on your bill and compare it to previous months. If it looks unusually high, you can request a meter reading or ask whether PG&E estimated your usage. You can dispute a charge through your online account or by calling 1-800-743-5000. PG&E will investigate within 30 days.