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Originally Posted by redpoint5
PGE allows people to opt into paying more for renewables, and that makes a lot more sense than increasing the cost to everyone, with those at the bottom suffering the most.
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You don't solve an abstract problem that takes decades to develop by allowing people to voluntarily opt in in the feel like it today. It is human nature to delay action until the last minute or hope someone else will fix it for you.
If you want to help those at the bottom that are most effected yet unable to afford to adapt the most logical course of action is to directly pay for the upgrade.
Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
Perhaps it makes sense for electric utilities to do what the water utility does and make the first units of consumption very affordable, with progressively higher rates for additional units. The wealthy can then consume more electricity, but pay more too. That overpayment for electricity could be used for renewables, efficiency programs, or simply reduce the rate for the lowest tier of consumption.
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PGE already does that.
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Originally Posted by redpoint5
There's a reason people are fleeing CA, and it isn't because they just can't stand so much awesome.
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I wouldn't say 1 year of population decline during a pandemic where tech companies are allowing people to work remotely equals "people fleeing CA". I'd bet that given a couple years to work things out and California's population will start steadily climbing again.
Another reason for rate hikes - PGE rate payers are on the hook for $200 million in court settlement for wildfires just in the last 5 years. Utility board set's PGE's budget. They (and utility boards all around the USA) have been reluctant to approve budgets for maintenance and replacements on our ancient power grid because that would mean rate increases for customers - which will then complain to politicians. No matter the piece of infrastructure we only want to pay for new not to maintain and repair the old. So the maintenance is delayed until it fails and then rate payers are on the hook for the court costs and judgement against the utilities.