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Smart meters are in the news. Are they really smart? Are we being dumb in accepting the political/industrial mantra that smart meters are a panacea for many of our nation's energy ills? Of course, the issue is complex and the truth elusive. But smart meters represent a very potent tool -- one that can be used powerfully for good or illicitly for evil. For a UCAN-ish take on the smart meter debate, click here. And then let us know what you think.
The smart grid can be one of our best 21st century friends -- or our worst nightmare. Which one will it be? Read below.
An old state law has resulted in new electric rates that seem to punish low-use SDG&E customers while rewarding profligate energy users. We don't like the way these rates are being calculated. FULL STORY.
California has a new energy efficiency standard. The California Energy Commission voted 5-0 to approve efficiency regulations for TVs up to 58 inches.
Telecom and utility companies use the National Consumers Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), a members-only, unique Equifax database to review consumer credit history. The question remains whether the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to the NCTUE and what information consumers should be able to obtain about themselves.
KPBS Radio, Ed Joyce - UCAN and the Center for Biological Diversity have initiated a joint legal action in the California Supreme Court to stop construction of SDG&E's Sunrise PowerLink. Full Story.
Columnist Don Bauder is on fire about SDG&E's plans to make fire victims pay higher rates for SDG&E's negligence.
SDG&E is seeking "collaborators" to support its decision to shut down your power during times of high fire risk. But the people who lost their homes in the 2007 fire storms are feeling burned by SDG&E's latest attempts to manipulate the media, regulators, and public opinion. Full Story.
When Sempra talks, hot air walks. Especially when it involves shutting of power to the back-country during times of fire risk. Get the full story.
According to experts, falling squirrels are a serious fire hazard. SDG&E hasn't announced that it will shut down power during times of "High Squirrel Risk," but the way things are going, it just might happen. See our story When Good Squirrels Go Bad.
John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.
The latest video for New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigates solar panel financing scams. Before you buy solar panels take a look at UCAN's Solar Project information and make sure you watch this video to know what kind of scams to look out for.
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? Get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad by using our Online Complaint Forms. Once you've filled out a complaint, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!
Miracles don't happen often enough in our world. But when Michael starts growing his own fish and food in his garage, then you know that there's some divine intervention because Michael doesn't fish and he's got a brown thumb that makes all leafy things tremble. So how did Advocate Michael become Farmer Michael? One word: AQUAPONICS.
Visit our page dedicated to the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project. You will find news, data, legal hearings and testimony, open-letters from UCAN's executive director, and just about everything else you might want to know regarding this important proposal. Or, listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's opposition to Sunrise in this UCAN.org podcast.
December 8th, 2006 was not a good day for San Diego. On that day, San Diego Gas & Electric asked state regulators for permission to raise base rates for electricity and natural gas customers by some $250 million annually for the years 2008 through 2013. You don't need a calculator to realize that adds up to a chilly $1.5 BILLION over those six years. Listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's position on SDG&E's rate request.
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
In a filing with the Public Utilities Commission, SDG&E has asked for approval to deploy "real-time" advanced meters to all of SDG&E's small business and residential customers. Find out why the SDG&E AMI proposal needed to be substantially revised.
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Have questions about your gas or electric bill? Wonder how all those charges are calculated? Then see our guide to Understanding Your Electricity Bill.
Save money on your energy bill AND reduce your carbon footprint with the Energy Conservation Guide!
Get personal assistance with your consumer complaint about a company by using our Online Complaint Forms. Or, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!
What are you packin? Is it anything like UCAN's new and improved Consumer Complaint Directory? If not, you should really pick up a copy. This thing is chock-full of hard-hitting consumer punch.
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