PG&E latest rate hike ( other questions on EV-A EV-B rates)

[matth]

We aren't exactly wasteful, but we have a high baseline usage. 5 fridges and ~10 loads of laundry per week put us into Tier 2 without even factoring anything like lights or AC.

Edit: 3 of the fridges are minis, not full size, and one full size is dedicated to beer.

We're way off topic here, but in the vein of energy efficiency, be aware that mini refrigerators are way less efficient than modern, energy star, full size. You would likely do much better (from an energy use standpoint) by consolidating your small fridges to a single new, large one (and possibly replacing the large ones), all energy star. You may pay for them pretty quickly in reduced energy use, both from what is used by the refrigerators and the waste heat that needs to be removed by your A/C. That's been my model, and I think I have more than paid for the new equipment with energy savings (and incentives).

 

[mctom987]

We aren't exactly wasteful, but we have a high baseline usage. 5 fridges and ~10 loads of laundry per week put us into Tier 2 without even factoring anything like lights or AC.

Edit: 3 of the fridges are minis, not full size, and one full size is dedicated to beer.

We're way off topic here, but in the vein of energy efficiency, be aware that mini refrigerators are way less efficient than modern, energy star, full size. You would likely do much better (from an energy use standpoint) by consolidating your small fridges to a single new, large one (and possibly replacing the large ones), all energy star. You may pay for them pretty quickly in reduced energy use, both from what is used by the refrigerators and the waste heat that needs to be removed by your A/C. That's been my model, and I think I have more than paid for the new equipment with energy savings (and incentives).

Two of them aren't mine, and one of those is energy star rated, and the yearly cost is half of our full size (those yellow labels). My mini fridge I haven't checked, so I'll probably check it today.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[cwerdna]

Rate increase approved by CPUC:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Average-monthly-PG-amp-E-bill-to-increase-by-5689150.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

California regulators, already under fire for allegedly growing too close to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., voted Thursday to let the utility collect an extra $2.37 billion from its customers over the next three years, adding roughly $7.50 to a typical customer's monthly bill in the fall.
...
The revenue increase approved Thursday will add $4.50 to the average PG&E gas bill, starting in September, and $3 to the average monthly electricity bill, starting in October. Further bill hikes will follow in 2015 and 2016, as a result of Thursday's vote. PG&E, based in San Francisco, expects those hikes to be smaller than the increases taking effect in the fall, but the company does not have a specific monthly estimate.

Among other things, the extra money will help the state's largest utility accelerate the replacement of old gas distribution lines, more aggressively hunt for gas leaks and strengthen the grid to protect against blackouts.

"Importantly, our residential bills will remain well below the national averages for gas and electric service," PG&E's Johns said, "and we are committed to working as efficiently as possible to keep bills low in the future as well."

On the bolded part, REALLY? If so, it doesn't help that their electricity rates suck.

 

[DaveEV]

On the bolded part, REALLY? If so, it doesn't help that their electricity rates suck.

The only reason why PG&E (and he rest of California) has lower overall utility bills is because of our nice weather which does not require nearly as much A/C or heating.

Utility companies strike me as the sort of service that really should not be run by a private company with guaranteed profit.

 

[srl99]

I think he was misquoted. The cost of PRINTING our residential bills is below the national average.

 

[cwerdna]

Today, I also noticed that the baseline quantities for my area (X) decreased.

From https://web.archive.org/web/20140810153235/http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/medicalbaseline/understand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, I can see that it was previously for area X, code B these (in kWh/day, to be considered tier 1):
Summer: 11.0 Winter: 11.7

I also posted these numbers earlier at http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=379033#p379033" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Now at http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/medicalbaseline/understand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, it's become:
Summer: 10.1 Winter: 10.9

You kidding me??!?!?

I only noticed this because my latest bill was split across the two periods w/part of it being the old quantities and part w/the new.

 

[Kubla]

I am glad that I only pay 10 to 11 cents a KWH, the part of my bill I complain about is the $40 a month I pay to be hooked up to gas service, 7 months out of the year I use $3 a month in gas for the water heater

 

[DaveEV]

I am glad that I only pay 10 to 11 cents a KWH, the part of my bill I complain about is the $40 a month I pay to be hooked up to gas service, 7 months out of the year I use $3 a month in gas for the water heater

How much do you use the rest of the year? Sounds like you could go all electric using heat pumps and save a ton in utility bills.

 

[Kubla]

I have thought of that, already have a heat pump, but it uses a natural gas furnace as backup heat, and last year it was cheaper to heat with natural gas, had a rate of 49 cents a CCF, not looking so good this year so far

could just go with an electric water heater (maybe a heat pump unit) and have the gas turned off for 8 months a year

 

[Nekota]

If you have room for a propane tank that could be an option for heating but the air mixing carburetor would have to be adjusted to convert from natural gas to propane.

 

[Nekota]

edit: I've added my graph. My baselines are 11.0 kWh/day in "summer" and 11.7 in "winter". So, assuming 30 days/month, that'd make my allowed monthly tier 1 amounts 330 kWh in "summer" and 351 kWh in "winter". You can see my highest usage for the year. I do live alone but in a 5 bedroom house (long story) and I've had my Leaf since end of July 2013.

Now that 11.0/11.7 is 10.1/10.9 per day as of 1 August 2014 a 10% reduction in baseline but the rate structure is dependent on quantity used so it's hard to come up with what that percentage increase is. Since the rates in the T3 and T4 are entered at lower consumption levels I suspect the percentage increase is much more than 10%. Time to go play with the green button data download and compare last year with the new rates. When I am asked how much I pay for electricity per KWHr it is not a simple answer, there are 3 rates in summer and 2 rates in winter with 4 levels of rate changes based on use which depends on which of ten zones you live and if you use gas for heating. And then the billing periods vary each month to add additional confusion to the process.

 

[mxp]

Does anyone know if the EV-A or EV-B is an automatic cut-over in January 2015?

@cwerdna, I too, am certain that my baseline quantity also dropped since my bill was a little higher in the last 3 mths or so... I didn't check in detail, but I noticed I was already in the higher tier even though it was only halfway through the month.

Today, I also noticed that the baseline quantities for my area (X) decreased.

From https://web.archive.org/web/20140810153235/http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/medicalbaseline/understand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, I can see that it was previously for area X, code B these (in kWh/day, to be considered tier 1):
Summer: 11.0 Winter: 11.7

I also posted these numbers earlier at http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=379033#p379033" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Now at http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/medicalbaseline/understand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, it's become:
Summer: 10.1 Winter: 10.9

You kidding me??!?!?

I only noticed this because my latest bill was split across the two periods w/part of it being the old quantities and part w/the new.

 

[matth]

Does anyone know if the EV-A or EV-B (edit: really E-9A) is an automatic cut-over in January 2015?

Unless something changes (i.e. pressure from us), end of March, 2015.

see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5794" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

60% increase if I move to EV. Hello E-1!

 

[srl99]

Don't be naive, ratepayers have NO say. PG&E (and the other IOUs) have finely tuned "regulator" manipulation teams. The tiny scandal about a few PG&E execs getting "fired" over inappropriate emails to CPUC is just propaganda. Those execs either got golden parachutes or were hired back as lobbyists (I mean consultants).

Does anyone know if the EV-A or EV-B (edit: really E-9A) is an automatic cut-over in January 2015?

Unless something changes (i.e. pressure from us), end of March, 2015.

see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5794" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

60% increase if I move to EV. Hello E-1!

 

[matth]

Don't be naive, ratepayers have NO say. PG&E (and the other IOUs) have finely tuned "regulator" manipulation teams. The tiny scandal about a few PG&E execs getting "fired" over inappropriate emails to CPUC is just propaganda. Those execs either got golden parachutes or were hired back as lobbyists (I mean consultants).

srl99, please give it a rest. We get that you don't like the current system. Your continued posts on this don't add to the dialog.

 

[mxp]

Thanks. I just saw that as well - end of Mar, 2015.

Question: Why go back to E-1? You'll move up the tiers very quickly.... Does having a charging subscription (like eVgo) make a better choice if one switches back to E-1?

Does anyone know if the EV-A or EV-B (edit: really E-9A) is an automatic cut-over in January 2015?

Unless something changes (i.e. pressure from us), end of March, 2015.

see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5794" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

60% increase if I move to EV. Hello E-1!

 

[matth]

Question: Why go back to E-1? You'll move up the tiers very quickly.... Does having a charging subscription (like eVgo) make a better choice if one switches back to E-1?

In my case, I'm at most in tier 2, and, unless I drive my Leaf a good deal more, that's where I'll stay. So I won't move up the tiers.

The question of a charging subscription is very case specific--i.e. whether you are regularly in a place with an eVgo charger. However, their rates usually are more than home electricity rates, as they need to cover more than just electricity costs.

 

[cwerdna]

California Regulators Pass Higher Electricity Rates for Most Residents: :roll:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/California-Regulators-Set-to-Overhaul-Home-Electricity-Costs--311583871.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_BAYBrand

The new proposal calls for a return to two tiers, plus a surcharge for the highest electricity users. The rate structure would impact 75 percent of California's residential customers, or more than 10 million electricity accounts held through Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

 

[mgs333]

California Regulators Pass Higher Electricity Rates for Most Residents: :roll:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/California-Regulators-Set-to-Overhaul-Home-Electricity-Costs--311583871.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_BAYBrand

The new proposal calls for a return to two tiers, plus a surcharge for the highest electricity users. The rate structure would impact 75 percent of California's residential customers, or more than 10 million electricity accounts held through Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

Sigh... :roll: :x Great way to encourage more electricity use. :roll: Thanks for the update though, it doesn't say when it's going to take effect.