An October 3rd proposal by SDG&E to change the way it charges customers for power is very likely illegal. In this second phase of its General Rate Case, SDG&E has proposed a new rate design, which includes a Network Use Charge, a Basic Service Fee and a Prepay Service option. UCAN has filed a motion asking the regulators to reject SDG&E's application and have them resubmit one that doesn't violate state laws.
rates
UCAN members needed at rate hearings!
The hearings are over. Many thanks to all who attended.
The Potential for Lower SDG&E Gas and Electric Rates in 2012
SDG&E claims that increasing costs of doing business necessitates $1.5 billion more of its customers’ money. For 2012, the increase would start at $168 million and grow over the following three years. UCAN and its team of experts poured through SDG&E’s books and reached an entirely different conclusion. Not only does SDG&E not need more money, in fact, it could actually use less money than it currently collects.
State regulators have the authority to decide whether SDG&E rates will increase or decrease. UCAN believes this boils down to an issue of fairness. While customers are in the midst of the worst recession in many of our lifetimes, should ratepayers be funding SDG&E’s wish list of expenditures or should state regulators actually reel in SDG&E’s spending to meet its actual need and spare its customers significantly increased costs?
Fun TOS! AT&T New Terms of Service for Bandwidth Cap of 150GB-250GB
It’s time for another thrilling edition of Fun TOS!
Earlier this week, we briefly touched on a story posted by Engadget about AT&T’s decision to institute a bandwidth cap. Before AT&T introduced this cap, its DSL customers had unlimited bandwidth access to stream videos, surf the web, and download as they please. We received an e-mail this morning from a member who forwarded us AT&T’s e-mail to its customers giving them notice of the change. Let’s see how easy it is to figure out what is going on.
Persistence Pays Off - One AT&T customer's success story
We love posting success stories on our site of consumers we've helped get the resolution they deserve. This success story we can't take credit for (we can try, but then we'd be just as bad as those utility companies) and it's a great example of how persistence can pay off in a big way.
Q&A - SDG&E's Public Purpose Program
Q&A Time! We recently received a question from a member who wanted to know what the heck the Public Purpose Program (PPP) charge on their bill is and why it is so much money! As my colleague Mike posted the other day, the PPP funds are used in various ways. But this is only half of the story. What formula does SDG&E use to calculate the PPP charge? Read on to find out more.
Appliances Exposed - The True Cost of Operation
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.
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
Terms and Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be: a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the Fraud Squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
