The more government mandates EV vehicles, trucks, stoves, air conditioning units, the less energy supply we have. The more we move to AI, the less energy we have for families and businesses. Thus, the cost of the limited energy supply goes up.
“Melissa Avalos, a Southern California resident, told KTLA 5, “There has been a rise in our electricity bills that is beyond this earth. We went from paying $86 dollars a month to $400 dollars a month and don’t even run our air at night. Something needs to be done as we are seniors and barely making enough to cover this increase.”
Sarah Clifford sent KTLA her electric bill from Southern California Edison (SCE), showing she’s being asked to pay $1,128 this month alone. And Clifford says that’s the “discounted rate,” even with keeping her thermostat at 78 degrees whenever she can.”
The Sacramento Democrat policy of no drilling for oil, no fracking, no new refineries equals to higher energy costs. Democrats have a policy to punish the poor and middle class—the rich who the Dems represent, do not care. DOOM LOOP? This is a major part of the cause.
‘Something needs to be done’: Southern Californians cry for help as electric bills skyrocket — here’s why some feel they’re being penalized for simply using electricity when they need it
Danielle Antosz, Moneywise, 9/25/24 https://moneywise.com/a/ch-aol/californias-time-of-use-electricity-billing_1727346033658?utm_source=syn_msna_mon&utm_medium=Z&utm_campaign=67797&utm_content=msna_mon_67797
As Southern California temperatures soar to 104 degrees, residents were left with a choice: extreme heat or extreme electric bills. The massive increase they’re seeing on their monthly utilities bill is thanks to TOU pricing, which is designed to encourage California residents to use more power when electricity comes from cleaner resources.
But those good intentions are little consolation to many residents.
Melissa Avalos, a Southern California resident, told KTLA 5, “There has been a rise in our electricity bills that is beyond this earth. We went from paying $86 dollars a month to $400 dollars a month and don’t even run our air at night. Something needs to be done as we are seniors and barely making enough to cover this increase.”
Sarah Clifford sent KTLA her electric bill from Southern California Edison (SCE), showing she’s being asked to pay $1,128 this month alone. And Clifford says that’s the “discounted rate,” even with keeping her thermostat at 78 degrees whenever she can.
Understanding TOU pricing and how it may impact your electricity bill
TOU is an electricity pricing structure in which the cost varies based on the time of day. Electricity used in off-peak hours is cheaper, while electricity used during peak hours costs more. Large energy providers in California began switching customers to TOU pricing in 2019 to support the state’s ongoing switch to cleaner energy. SCE started switching customers, like Melissa Avalos and Sarah Clifford, in 2019.
TOU pricing might seem unfair, but there’s a good reason for the switch. During the day, when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, energy in California is mostly produced by solar and wind. But during the evening peak hours, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., electricity is more likely to be produced by carbon-intensive energy sources that emit greenhouse gasses.
The switch to TOU pricing incentivizes residents to use electricity when it’s more likely to come from cleaner energy sources. However, the hefty electricity bills place a large burden on low-income and fixed-income households.
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If you’re a resident of any of the states that use TOU pricing, including California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, and New York, you can take steps to reduce your electricity costs.
SCE offers customers three TOU rate plans, allowing them to choose when they are most likely to use electricity. Sixty days before customers are enrolled in TOU pricing, they receive a letter with a personalized comparison of the different rates plans, allowing them to select the plan that works best for them. If your current bill is high, consider comparing the different plans your energy company offers to see if a switch could save you money.
If your appliances have a delayed start feature, take advantage of it by scheduling them to run during off-peak hours, typically early in the morning or late at night when electricity rates are lower. Similarly, try to charge electronics like laptops and other battery-operated devices during these cheaper times.
A smart thermostat can also help you save by pre-cooling your home before peak hours begin and then raising the temperature slightly during peak hours to reduce energy usage. And consider unplugging appliances and electronic devices when not in use, as they can still draw power even when turned off.
If careful usage isn’t enough to manage your electricity bill, financial assistance programs are available. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) offer residents discounts between 35% and 18%, depending on their household income. And if you live outside of California, your state may offer a similar program.
People are abusers of utilities. To control abuse, a credit card should be inserted to turn on the utility. Want your lights on? code in the rooms and the number of hours. see what the charge is. then press OK or change. Want the TV on? Enter TV, grand room, 5 hours. See the charge then press OK or change. Abuse ended. Same for gas and water!