Electricity Companies in California Want to Raise Prices
Posted by admin
Andy Adams asked:
With the green agenda on everyone’s mind these days and people trying to save on their electricity use/carbon footprint/whatever today’s buzzword is it is understandable that we are trying to use less energy. However whilst we’re trying to cut back on electricity and gas usage it is also becoming more and more scarce at the same time. It is well known that oil prices have shot up over the past months which you’ll have no doubt noticed when visiting the petrol station forecourt over the past six months. Well in some cases in California the same sort of idea is being proposed over gas and electricity prices: Increase the price as supplies draw thin. The PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) made a plea to state regulators recently to increase utility prices by 6.5% to cover the soaring cost of natural gas that fuels the majority of California’s power stations. This proposed increase would be done by increasing electricity bills by 4.5% in October with a further 2% increase set for January.The rise in electricity bills is a relatively unnoticed issue in the grand scheme of things with Petrol, Oil and Diesel taking centre stage in the high priced fuel crisis. Natural Gas itself has increased in cost by 63% compared to this time last year. Problems with power have worsened due to a poor performance from the hydroelectric power in the Sierra Mountains. The mountains are home to a number of Hydro-electric dams which have had less significance due to a thin snow cap this year, possible another casualty of global warming?Natural gas has been popular in generating electricity as it burns cleaner than coal which has slowly been phased out. Whilst opponents to the recent motion have acknowledged gas prices have increased they aren’t too happy considering that PG&E has already applied to increase rates earlier in the year too. It seems that with Oil, Gas, electricity and all other fuel sources increasing in cost we should look to conserve as much as possible to try and lower our bills and damage to the environment too.
Tina
With the green agenda on everyone’s mind these days and people trying to save on their electricity use/carbon footprint/whatever today’s buzzword is it is understandable that we are trying to use less energy. However whilst we’re trying to cut back on electricity and gas usage it is also becoming more and more scarce at the same time. It is well known that oil prices have shot up over the past months which you’ll have no doubt noticed when visiting the petrol station forecourt over the past six months. Well in some cases in California the same sort of idea is being proposed over gas and electricity prices: Increase the price as supplies draw thin. The PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) made a plea to state regulators recently to increase utility prices by 6.5% to cover the soaring cost of natural gas that fuels the majority of California’s power stations. This proposed increase would be done by increasing electricity bills by 4.5% in October with a further 2% increase set for January.The rise in electricity bills is a relatively unnoticed issue in the grand scheme of things with Petrol, Oil and Diesel taking centre stage in the high priced fuel crisis. Natural Gas itself has increased in cost by 63% compared to this time last year. Problems with power have worsened due to a poor performance from the hydroelectric power in the Sierra Mountains. The mountains are home to a number of Hydro-electric dams which have had less significance due to a thin snow cap this year, possible another casualty of global warming?Natural gas has been popular in generating electricity as it burns cleaner than coal which has slowly been phased out. Whilst opponents to the recent motion have acknowledged gas prices have increased they aren’t too happy considering that PG&E has already applied to increase rates earlier in the year too. It seems that with Oil, Gas, electricity and all other fuel sources increasing in cost we should look to conserve as much as possible to try and lower our bills and damage to the environment too.
Tina
