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California utilities want billion-dollar charger buildout

California’s utility companies have unveiled a plan to allocate $1 billion to a statewide charging station program, designed to meet the state’s rigorous emissions standards and extend the reach of electric and hybrid vehicles throughout the state. “Three major

CalPERS has faith in imperiled energy status quo

Chris Reed March 28, 2016

Is the California Public Employees’ Retirement System about to make another big mistake with a mistimed investment strategy, this time in the industrial solar sector? Beginning 13 years ago, CalPERS invested heavily in real estate at the height of the

CA lawmakers plot CPUC’s demise

James Poulos February 9, 2016

The California Public Utilities Commission may not live to see the next presidential election. Under a new proposal put forth by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, the new chairman of the Committee on Utilities and Commerce, the CPUC — long under

Politics of CA solar power getting messier

Chris Reed September 9, 2015

The standard narrative of solar power in California has long been that it’s a wonderful idea that everyone should embrace, a view touted by Democratic governors and Republican governors alike for nearly a quarter-century. But as CalWatchdog reported last week,

CA regulators debut new energy rules

James Poulos June 19, 2015

Placing a big bet on solar power and new regulations, state officials have rolled out ambitious new requirements aimed at slashing energy use in newly-constructed homes. “Buildings built in California starting in 2016 will have to comply with the nation’s toughest

Rising electric rates spark CA fight

James Poulos June 1, 2015

A new plan under consideration by the state Public Utilities Commission has Californians up in arms over the prospect of higher rates for less electricity usage. Dueling schemes “Under the current rules, homes served by Southern California Edison pay higher prices

Bill simplifies tiered utility rates

Wayne Lusvardi April 23, 2015

Now that the $42 billion bill for the 2001 California Energy Crisis has been paid off, California’s current four price tiers for electricity will be flattened to two tiers over the next four years. Environmentalists who advocated for cleaning up

State is owed millions in allegedly unpaid fees from Verizon

Steve Miller April 6, 2015

Verizon owes $11 million to a state fund to help the poor, the hearing-impaired and people in rural areas access telecommunications service, according to a draft document from the state’s Public Utility Commission. The fees are owed on service to prepaid

SMUD’s Creative Rate Increase Lingo

CalWatchdog Staff January 23, 2012

Katy Grimes: The Sacramento Municipal Utility District is changing some of its rate terminology in order to charge higher rates. The utility company claims that it really is “an effort to better define for customers what they are paying for and

$2 Billion Solar Rebates Program Broke

CalWatchdog Staff April 6, 2011

APRIL 6, 2011 By KATY GRIMES California legislators are pushing a bill through the system for a bankrupt solar subsidy program, despite a $200 million shortfall. And while the large shortfall would make most subsidy beneficiaries go belly-up, California legislators