Topic: Utility

Utility Companies’ Role In School Bus Electrification

July 10, 2024

Following the EPA’s issuance of $900 million in rebates for school bus electrification, utility providers are stepping up to the plate to help school districts make the transition.  “Not only are electric school buses more widely available than they’ve ever been,” UtilityDive states, “but as...
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2024 PG&E Rate Hikes affect 16M+ Customers

January 11, 2024

PG&E recently published their rate increases effective January 1, 2024. According to news site KSBW, rates will increase at an average of over $32 per month for roughly 16 million customers across California. The increased funds, reports KSBW, will help “bury 2,100 miles (3,380 kilometers)...
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Net Energy Metering 2-Update

March 13, 2023

On December 15, 2022 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved new rules that will significantly reduce economic value for customers implementing new onsite solar projects in the service territories of PG&E, SoCal Edison, and SDG&E.  The decision was controversial, dividing vocal critics and supporters...
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Biden grants PG&E $1.1 billion to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open

December 5, 2022

The Biden administration on Monday said it’s providing Pacific Gas & Electric Co. with a $1.1 billion grant to help the company prevent the closure of Diablo Canyon, California’s last nuclear power plant. Diablo Canyon was originally scheduled to be decommissioned in two phases in...
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97% of smart meters fail to provide promised customer benefits

October 17, 2022

California’s experience shows customer access to real-time data does not compromise privacy or security, Mission:data’s Murray insisted. Utilities’ excuses “hide concern with revenue losses from lower kWh sales,” an intent to avoid “liability and customer support burdens,” or “competition from third parties for services they...
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CA Becomes First State to Fully Eliminate Ratepayer Subsidies for Gas Line Extensions 

October 11, 2022

On September 15th, The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to “entirely eliminate ratepayer subsidies for the extension of new gas lines beginning in July,” reports Utility Dive. The decision comes alongside a current push to decarbonize the building sector.  CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen explained,...
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Wholesale power prices in California spiked in Sep 2022. Why did that happen– and how high did they go?

October 7, 2022

Lucas Davis, Jeffrey A. Jacobs Distinguished Professor in Business and Technology at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, recently revealed insights about the effect of record-breaking summer heat waves on power prices. “The September heat wave was historic, both in...
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Global Natural Gas Crisis Heightened by War, Climate Crises Ahead of Winter

September 16, 2022

As the Wall Street Journal reports, U.S. shale gas is a highly sought commodity, with global events contributing to higher costs. In fact, natural gas has not been so costly since before the shale-drilling boom, and trading firm Ritterbusch & Associates predicts near-term prices skyrocketing...
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