SPURR’s Board of Directors recently passed Resolution 2022-01 in opposition to PG&E’s proposed rate increases in the utility’s 2023 General Rate Case(GRC). According to GRC documents filed by PG&E in June 2021, PG&E requests the following sample class average rate increases effective January 2023, as compared to then-current rates: Bundled Electricity, Small Commercial Customer Class:...
Category: Energy
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Interesting perspective on Ukraine War — ARC Energy Research
Podcast featuring guest Candyce Kelshall, President of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies –Vancouver, Adjunct Professor, Buckingham University Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies and Vice Chair at the Canadian Intelligence Network.
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California State Auditor Reports on Electric Utility and Regulatory Agency Failures Related to CA Wildfires
The California State Auditor (CSA) recently issued a report excoriating the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), especially PG&E, as well as the state’s “Energy Safety Office,” for failures related to wildfires and to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The report is posted at https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2021-117.pdf Among other findings, the report states the following. Page 7: Of the acreage...
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California Proposes Reducing Incentives for Customer On-Site Solar
California regulators on December 13 proposed significant changes to the state’s solar incentive program. The new policy would reduce payments granted to solar customers for the excess power they generate and export out to the grid via “Net Energy Metering” and also add monthly charges for some customers. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/13/solar-power-advocates-slam-new-california-proposal-to-reduce-subsidies.html
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Three community choice aggregators (CCA) issue $2B in bonds to pay upfront for 450 MW of solar power over 30 years
Under the arrangement, for-profit energy providers will use bond funds to provide CCAs a discount on their electricity thanks to the difference in taxable and tax-exempt rates. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-nonprofits-issue-2-billion-in-bonds-to-buy-30-years-of-renewabl/611057/
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CPUC Attempts to Bolster Power Grid Against Potential Extreme Circumstances in 2022, 2023
CPUC instructs PG&E, SCE, SDG&E to collectively procure between 2 GW and 3 GW of additional demand and supply-side resources, expand existing demand response programs by doubling the compensation customers will receive for conserving energy when the grid is strained, and roll out a new energy efficiency program. Read more: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-oks-bridge-measures-to-bolster-grid-against-potential-extreme/610971/
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Gov. Newsom issues Emergency Proclamation re Energy
On Jul 30, 2020, Governor Newsome issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency. According to the Proclamation, “California currently faces an additional projected energy supply shortage of up to 3,500 megawatts during the afternoon-evening ‘net-peak’ period of high power demand on days when there are extreme weather conditions, which is even greater than projected...
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Gov. Newsom Suspends Enviro Regs on Power Generation During Grid Strain Events
Twice so far in 2021, Governor Newsom has suspended *all* environmental regulations on CA electricity generators for at least three days at a time. On each of June 17 and July 9, the Governor issued State of Emergency proclamations covering separate “Extreme Heat Events” lasting several days. During each Extreme Heat Event, “[a]ny permit, regulation...
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CA Faces Energy Resources Shortfall
California faces energy resource shortfalls amid extreme heat and drought. On June 27, 2021, the CA grid operator warned that rising temperatures and drought conditions mean there could be resource shortfalls early in the week. Electricity consumers should be prepared to reduce their consumption, the grid operator (CAISO) said. Demand response and customer conservation “are...
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Why are Solar PPA Prices Creeping Upward?
Why are solar PPA prices creeping upward? It’s complicated, experts say. Prices for solar PPAs in North America rose 2.6% during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the prior quarter, according to data from LevelTen Energy’s PPA marketplace. But the rise wasn’t part of any sudden shift — according to LevelTen, solar PPA prices...
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