[GPSCC-chat] Solar, electric rates and a Capitalist State Government

[Wes Rolley]

I would like to call attention to two items of particular interest to 
Santa Clara County residents, or at least those who still rely on the 
grid for any electric use.

First, CA utilities have separated power generation charges from 
transmission and distribution charges.  That is clearly noted on your 
PG&E bill.  The City of Morgan Hill has notified us that they will 
change how generation capacity is sourced. The notice read:

>
>           Starting in April, residents and business in Morgan Hill
>           will be getting 100% carbon-free electricity at competitive
>           rates.
>
>
> Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is a new non-profit, public agency, 
> formed in spring 2016 by twelve South Bay communities, including 
> Morgan Hill, to source clean electricity on our behalf at costs below 
> PG&E’s comparative generation rates. PG&E is still an essential 
> partner as they will continue to deliver electricity over existing 
> power lines, maintain the lines, send bills and provide customer service.
>
Transition to the new sourcing will begin in April and be complete in 
October.  It applies to much of Santa Clara County with the exception of 
San Jose and Palo Alto (which has it's own power authority.)

I pulled my last 12 months of electric bills.  According to the rate 
tables posted at SVCE, I could save #160 / yr just on standard charging 
as compared to the E6 Times of Use rates that I now have (which PG&E 
indicated is saving me money.)

The second item is a story in today's LA Times. Californians are paying 
billions for power that they don't need. 
<http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-electricity-capacity/?utm_source=Essential+California&utm_campaign=09ca1378bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_12_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6e35f7f85b-09ca1378bc-75450201>

This really targets the cozy relationship between the Public Utilities 
Commission and the power industry, which the PUC is allowing to build 
additional capacity even though much of the system is running at 50% of 
capacity, power plants are being shut down and the total electric use in 
CA is declining or staying flat, not increasing as was predicted. 
Rooftop solar is part of that change, but user efficiency is also a 
part.  The LA Times story is long, but worth the read to really 
understand what is happening.

I am suggesting that Santa Clara Valley Greens write to their state 
legislators and ask for a hearing on the operation of the PUC and the 
assumptions that it is making regarding demand and costs, especially as 
the PUC is guaranteeing the utilities a 10.5% profit.

I also suggest that each and every one who reads this take advantage of 
the SVCE rates, as this strikes a blow at the Trump Administration 
championing of fossil fuels.


-- 
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don't, 
then you are wasting your time on this Earth" - /Roberto Clemente/
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