Electricity Price Increases

[rontaki]

California: Too much pollution, gotta ban everything.

California: Build, baby build. Let's house half the world's population. Who needs open space?

 

[jyoutz]

At least partly true, but you're opening a can of worms there, as at least some of what is being cited in such claims are standard tax breaks available to all manufacturing businesses. Very muddy waters, indeed.

One thing I've learned from studying history and many past wars, is that the more you learn about any conflict, the harder it becomes to tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys". The Devil is in the details, and perspective is everything. I think the same goes for most debates on energy production, there's good and bad in all aspects, and all sides are at least a little dishonest in curating the numbers that support their perspective.

The mining and oil/gas industries have enjoyed below open market rates (nearly free) for their operations on federal lands for over a century.

 

[ultrarunner]

I wonder if the solar sales guys had crystal balls looking into the future?

Attended a few presentations and all very similar… sales would ask if we thought PGE would charge more or less per kWh in the future…

Everyone always said more and then the linear graph showing a modest annual projected increase would come out showing a 12-15 year payback.

It’s not like sales to not exaggerate but these guys were way to conservative and greatly underestimated PGE rate hikes.

There are verified paybacks in half of what was projected.

In my install the most expensive part turned out to be the ground mounts… but they will be there forever and new panels are rated 2 to 3 times output in same footprint…

 

[jyoutz]

No solid fuel burn bans or prohibitions on installing wood stoves, fireplaces, etc. where you are?

It’s code here and was expanding to gas fired appliances until a recent pause.

There are no wood stove or fireplace prohibitions in New Mexico and a sizable portion of homes are heated with wood.

 

[ultrarunner]

There are no wood stove or fireplace prohibitions in New Mexico and a sizable portion of homes are heated with wood.

Maybe a business opportunity for exporting CA wood?

I do enjoy a good fire with my spilt and seasoned oak… burns hot, lasts longs with very little ash remaining.

In the Carter years there were tax credits for installing wood stoves to tap Americas abundant natural resource… my how things have changed.

When my brother bought the farm my sister in law said she was getting rid of the wood stove and I said at the move in, “I will take it away right now” and then she paused.

Fast forward and no one is taking away her wood stove.

 

[jyoutz]

Maybe a business opportunity for exporting CA wood?

I do enjoy a good fire with my spilt and seasoned oak… burns hot, lady longs and very little ash remains…

We have an excess of wood here in our forests:

 

[ultrarunner]

:-( ok… just a thought.

California had a similar situation with excess fuel load and growing.

One of out TBN members posted it’s difficult to get hardwood firewood in his part of Nevada…

I know moving firewood is often restricted in California.

 

[jyoutz]

:-( ok… just a thought.

California had a similar situation with excess fuel load and growing.

One of out TBN members posted it’s difficult to get hardwood firewood in his part of Nevada…

I know moving firewood is often restricted in California.

Just about every western state has overly dense forests that need thinning. Nevada might be the exception.

 

[not2old]

There is lots of "free" wood available here but it takes some real effort. Cutting, splitting and stacking doesn't happen by itself. I'm in 4600 square feet on two floors with geothermal heat and cooling and I heat my 650 foot garage. Heating my new shop isn't until next year. My total electric bill for the year is less than $3000. I understand why people aren't using wood much anymore.

 

[CliffordK]

I'm currently on EWEB (Public Utility) which gets most of its power from Bonneville Power Administration (Federal Government).

7% rate increase February 2025
2.7% "pass through" increase from BPA rate increases October 2025.

Basic Charge $30
Delivery Charge: 3.38 cents per kWh
Energy Charge: 7.78 cents per kWh.

If one has two power meters... then that basic charge doubles.

I'm fairly frugal with my energy usage, so the basic connect fee is a huge part of my bill.