PG&E rate cuts OK'd for biggest energy users

[Newsjock]

Source: Fresno Bee

State utility regulators approved changes to Pacific Gas & Electric Co. rates that will reduce the sting of power bills this summer for customers who use the most electricity.

The rate structure approved Thursday by the California Public Utilities Commission in Sacramento may, however, mean higher bills for customers who use less electricity when the rates take effect for most users on June 20.

... The biggest difference will be for customers whose monthly power consumption reaches into the highest tier. Tier 4 power will be charged at a rate of 33.3 cents per kWh, a reduction of more than seven cents from the old rate of 40.4 cents – a big break for those who use the most electricity.

... But changes to the threshold consumption levels for each tier will have the effect of raising the bills for just about everyone else, including low-income customers.

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/05/26/2404314/pge-rate-cuts-okd-for-biggest.html

[Hubert Flottz]

1. More class warfare.

More Corporate Welfare.

[BeliQueen]

2. This doesn't make any sense

Why would a state regulator approve that? Are they getting bribes and kick-backs?

[jayfish]

3. What a bunch of BS!

This is the exact opposite of the way things should be done. Sounds like getting a tax break to by a Hummer.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. And yet, when I use more in the summer,

I pass the baseline and go up a tier, or two, or three, with each new tier comes a higher rate. So when I use more, I pay more, unless I'm a wealthy corporation. Got it.

[w4rma]

5. Wtf? This needs to be changed back. (nt)

[yesphan]

6. It costs a lot of money

to keep those McMansions cool and the swimming pools and water features running.
They need a break and I'm more than happy to to pick up the tab for them.

:sarcasm:

[russspeakeasy]

7. What a surprise...a price break for the wealthy..

[DesertDiamond]

8. So let me get this straight... The non-rich are getting services cut, paying most of the taxes....

that support this country, and now as we struggle through the heat waves of the summer, bearing high temperatures to use less electricity, we'll be paying extra to give the corporations even more of a break??? Thanks a lot!

[SoapBox]

9. WTF!!!

...screwed again by mega-business and their puppets.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. I am one who will be paying more --

I grew up in the 70s here during the energy crisis and became a hardcore energy conservation homeowner. Programmable thermostat, energy efficient appliances, compact fluorescents, insulation, a hawk about turning unnecessary lights and appliances off, line drying my clothes -- you name it, I do it.

And now I will be paying extra so some asshat in a valley McMansion can cool their homes more cheaply. :mad:

To say I am pissed off is an understatement. Fuck PG&E with a chainsaw -- I want outta their grip so bad I can taste it.

If this doesn't spark San Francisco into enacting it's own muni power like our charter calls for I don't know what will.

[XemaSab]

12. We have municipal power

It's not that great. :P

[ChromeFoundry]

11. The only thing Green about this plan is...

the money the wealthy will be saving.