Southern California is one of the leading areas with solar installations (see this post) and San Diego is no different. So it makes sense that the City of San Diego would want to get involved with solar--not just as a way to stick it to SDG&E--but as a potential fix to the City’s budget deficit problem.

On a tip from our affiliate organization New Media Rights (a fantastic organization focused on new media and access to information), here's a link to a site dedicated to providing information about solar installations throughout the United States--The Open PV Project.

Smart meters. A four letter word in some circles, these devices have caused uproar for a multitude of reasons. From higher bills to health effects, privacy concerns and installation heart aches, some SDG&E customers are outraged by the new meters. While I understand those concerns, my biggest concern and frustration is that SDG&E customers is can’t independently compare their old electromechanical meter to their new smart meter. Sure, they can rely on SDG&E’s reports and studies that show that the new smart meters are accurate. But when SDG&E customers see a spike in their bill and the only answer from SDG&E is that the new meter is more accurate than the old meter and the bill is correct, it’s a tough pill to swallow. 

The San Diego weather forecast has been fairly cool the past couple of months. I hesitate to use the word cold, because to be honest, 55 degrees isn’t really that cold. Especially when compared to temperatures in the teens and single digits, a thermometer that hovers around 60 isn’t all that bad. But, it is cool for the thin-skinned San Diegans, so we resort to using things like central heaters and clothes dryers more often. These creature comforts can bring comfort on a chilly night, but how much do they actually cost to operate? Hit the jump to find out.

One energy-related proposition on this November's ballot is Proposition 23.   Our assessment of Proposition 23 is that it is a very bad idea and shouldn't be supported by California voters.   UCAN historically has opposed initiatives on the basis that they are a horrible way of dealing with complex policy issues.   But only once in a generation do we come across an initiative that is as self-serving and damaging as this one.As Elizabeth Browning Barrett might have said,  let us count the ways.   Read on.

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.

This year is flying by! With May well underway and summer screaming around the corner like a 16 year old unable to find second gear, now is a great time to check out the appliances you depend on so dearly to keep you cool in the summer. If they aren't working properly, you could have a double heatwave coming your way.

60 Minutes recently featured a story about a fuel cell generation system offered by Bloom Energy.  Called a "Bloom Box",  it produces electricity from natural gas.   It represents an exciting glimpse into future energy systems.  But is it ready for prime-time today?   READ MORE.

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.