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Energy RSS FeedSDG&E's PV Project: The Promise and the Peril
It took two years, but the PUC finally adopted a utility-based solar power project in San Diego. It borders upon insanity that the one city in the United States that is so blessed with sun is not leading the solar PV revolution. We've been out hustled by San Francisco, Santa Monica, Germany, Japan and countless other countries who can only dream to have San Diego's solar bounty.
SDG&E New Bill Format Rolling Out September 7, 2010
The North County Times' writer Eic Wolf said SDG&E "will roll out a new look for its bills starting September 7" for the purpose of adding more summary information at the beginning of the bill, adding graphics, and increasing the size of the paper for its bills. UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames commented on the upcoming bill format change. Read More.
Xcel's "smart grid" won't make the honor roll
Energy giant Xcel energy planned to be an example for the nation in its deployment of smart grid technology, but the company's giant leap forward has resulted in a horrific budgeting bellyflop that will be paid for Xcel ratepayers. UCAN has worked hard to make sure that California learns from, and does not repeat those mistakes. MORE.
Money for Electricity: PUC's one-time bill assistance program
With the summer heat in full swing, relief in any sense of the word is welcome. Popsicples, otter pops, ice cream cones, sea breezes, and air conditioning provide respite in sweltering summer days. However, the bill for only one of these cooling concoctions is eligible for the California Public Utility Commission's (PUC) new program. Hint--you won't be seeing Mike Peevey driving an ice cream truck around town.
SDG&E proposal to charge electric rates for different times of the day: The devil lurks in the details
SDG&E wants to start charging you more money for the electricity you use during peak hours, and reward you with lower rates for shifting your electricity use to off-peak hours ... but the devil is in the DETAILS.
SDG&E to deploy "cut and run" strategy for fires: They cut your power and you run for your life
If it gets too windy in the back country SDG&E is going to violate its prime directive by cutting the supply of electricity to homes, fire stations, traffic lights, schools, and hospitals. It is doing this to protect itself instead of the customers it is supposed to serve. MORE.
SDG&E's search for "missing link" continues
Is it some kind of horrible Freudian slip? If you've studied the Sunrise PowerLink, you know that it is an over-priced backward technology promoted by misinformed business people, neanderthal bloggers, and old-school energy troglodytes. Perhaps this is why they are all spinning Sunrise as "The Missing Link."
CPUC changes shut-off rules for electric companies
In a move that has shocked the advocacy community, CPUC, the California Public Utilities Comission, has actually taken steps to protect consumers from unfair power shutoffs. Full story.
"Free Miracle Air Coolers" - Neither Free Nor Cool
With summer fast approaching, ads promising "free miracle air coolers" that "blast ice cooled air to keep you cool for just pennies a day" have been popping up in magazines and newspapers. If this sounds too good to be true to you, you're not alone. Learn just how expensive these "free" air coolers really are, and why UCAN strongly recommends avoiding them.
John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.
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Michael Shames recommends, that you need to be "remarkably diligent" when someone shows up at your door and offers you products and services.
Get help with your energy bill from the Fraud Squad
File a Consumer Complaint with UCAN!
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? There are two ways you can get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad: (1) using our Online Complaint Forms, and (2) calling the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966.
It's time to go solar
General Rate Case - 2011
SDG&E has submitted its Notice of Intent to File a General Rate Case Application. SDG&E requests that the CPUC authorize a combined $1.851 billion in rates. An unprecendent 7% increase compared to currently effective rates. The filing with the Public Utilities Commission explains why. In the midst of the greatest economic recession in almost a century, SDG&E has requested the largest rate hike in its history. And it wants it to last for four years. For more details, read on.
SDG&E Rate Increase - 2006
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.
Sunrise Powerlink
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.
Michael Gets All Wet & Fishy.....with an Aquaponic Experiment
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.
Undergrounding
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
Advanced Metering Initiative
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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