From the Department of Retarded Economics and the Pacific Gas and Electric company comes this unbelievable offer that asks if I want to pay more for electricity to be part of the “in” green sustainability crowd. No, really. I thought this was an early April Fools joke, but instead, it’s an actual solicitation to fools.
Excerpts:
Here’s the cost:
I’m currently paying about 14 cents per kWh, so with this new plan to help me be sustainable and part of the cool kids crowd, I can pay up to 17.1 cents per kilowatt hour, so that I can ease my conscience that the electricity I use is from “clean California sunshine”. Good luck sorting out those clean from dirty electrons as they flow through the grid to my office.
I’m just speechless. There’s a term used in science: “Not even wrong” its not only that, but weapons grade stupidity. No wonder so many businesses are fleeing the state with this sort of madness afoot.
Full disclosure, I already have solar on my home. It’s my third solar project, and not a one of them had anything to do with sustainability, but trying to keep escalating power costs under control.
UPDATE: here is the full letter
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The power of “signaling.” I am sure they give you a window sticker or lawn sign to post.
And for an extra 1.5 cents we’ll name the electrons after you or a designated family member and register them in the international (IPCC) electron registry.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Signs/billboards at Vail stating 100% wind powered…but no windmills in sight. Go figure.
Anth*ny, I’ve gotten the same thing some months ago from Allegany Power. The “request” had an authoritative look to it that I “had” to do it. Not kidding. I’ve had similar authoritative-looking notices that I “should” change to other, independent electric providers, but in fact this is NOT required at all! I don’t need to do anything.
These notices should be considered as false-advertising IMO and deplorable.
Anyone who voluntarily pays more than necessary for electricity should be ‘sustainably committed’ – to a mental institution.
Just to be fair, it should be noted that PG&E is not the only company doing this. Most companies offer an “eco” plan where you pay 25% 50% or 100% more and you will get approximately 25%, 50%, 100% of your power from alternate energy sources rather than coal. These programs are usually mandated by government, though in Texas it is voluntary, but idiots do tend to pay for them. Though I did live in an apartment in Arlington, TX where they tried to automatically sign me up for an eco program, probably because they got kickbacks.
Anyway, I always thought electrons were fungible. How they identify which electrons came from coal vs the Windmill must be wildly amazing technology.
My simple reply to PG&E would be to “go and boil your stupid heads”.
I hope this is what most sensible folk think.
Unfortunately, PG&E probably doesn’t want to do this either. I would seriously guess it has something to do with the California Public Utility Commission forcing the utilities hand. I know Iowa has a similar situation, where these programs are coerced.
They probably make more from the taxpayers than they do from those who actually use what they produce.
Do you at least get a Thank You note from the family that actually receives the solar electricity?
Brandon Gates commented: “…Which segment is seeing the highest percentage growth in Sunny California?…..In what state is utility-scale solar looking most viable?”
None of them. Wait, look! Ca has grown to 2% of total with solar in only 20 years! Just goes to show you how effective solar can be when you throw the people’s money at it. Ivanpah alone can be a road map for successful solar electrical generation facilities.
In Oregon a woman was standing outside the grocery with a table and little windmills trying to get people to sign up for this. I asked her if she got a commission for everyone who signed up. She affirmed and I pointed out to this rather progressive-looking person that she is driven by a profit motive. She asked if I would sign up and I said “Nah. It’s a waste of money.” She was quite unhappy with me. They also come door-to-door trying to get us to sign up despite the “No Soliciting” sign.
Here in Ontario, we all pay extra for wind and solar and other ruinables. It’s called the “Global Adjustment”.
Presently 9.85¢/kWh
http://www.ieso.ca/
Citizen Adjustment would be a better name for it comrade.
Looking at the possible bright side of the PG&E “offer”. Isn’t it a back door way to inform the lemmings that solar and wind really cost more and expose the fact that all those lies from the greenies and progressives and politicians. Also it allows the believers to put their money where their mouth is.
If it is like New Jersey, the fact is that the progressives in the State have mandated an ever increasing amount (%) of renewable electricity regardless of the cost, reliability, or availability. The greedy subsidized,renewable providers are pestering (calling) us every day starting in the morning ringing the phone on a ROBO call generally hanging up before we answer the phone believing they have a sucker on the line who will believe their lies.
I asked one salesperson which Company they work for, with the reply that they do not work for a company but seemingly some federal subsidized organization that is pushing the administration agenda.
Talking with one of the sales persons, I found out that they were totally uninformed on the facts and was unaware of the cost and reliability.
They seem to be exempt from call blocking for some reason.
Since it’s too deep to reply – @chris: Oh, yes, the income in CA is much higher than that in TN. Let’s compare Nashville area to Orange County, shall we?
Groceries 11% higher (in OC than in Nashville).
Utilities 23% higher.
Health care: 24% higher.
Transportation: 33% higher.
Housing: 203% higher.
Great deal, oh yes, such a GREAT deal.
(Please note, I am being quite fair here – I COULD have compared to San Francisco…)
Now, theoretically, you would have about the same standard of living in each State. Except for the fact that the “median” household in CA pays nearly TWICE as much in taxes as the “median” household in TN.
So, if you want a better standard of living? Move to TENNESSEE. (Although there are even better States than Tennessee, actually.)
Let me fill you in on a few things, the electricity that comes to you all is all mixed up, you can’t select green, grey or any other colour electron but worse than that, what you get is alternating current, a bunch of electrons is sent whizzing past through your wires for 100th (or 120th in some places) of a second, then sucked back past you in the other direction. The energy you use comes from the SAME ELECTRONS being used over and over again.
So not only are they misleading you on the colour of your electrons, they don’t even bother to tell you that you are not getting fresh new electrons, they are all used electrons.
Here in southern Wisconsin, We Energies have a similar program.
https://www.we-energies.com/residential/acctoptions/eft.htm
This is actually hilarious…I mean charging for the wind that blows on your face, or the Sun that shines(which has to be backed up by Diesel because it’s oh so reliable). And of course, Government has to mandate it because…everyone wants it? And it must be done to demonstrate commitment to sustainability(fealty to The State/The King/GOD)…which is why we need to pay more to “sustain” it? Just call it GAEA WORSHIP & be done with it!!!!
Packing the recycling fee into every community utility billing fee list did not happen overnight or by billing recipient response to mailings of this type. It required voluntary efforts followed by Board vote followed by numerous fee increases. The extra incentive is for local authorities to tax the value of the service fee with sales and franchise taxes tacked on. Harmony is achieved with redundant taxation.
You pay 14c/ kWh? What does SolarCity charge in your area?
I was told that 15c from them is a bargain compared to the regular rate.
Don’t show this to California advocacy and policy over reach types. Or you may be forced to line up and contribute.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160316105543.htm