Wildfires Likely to Cause Hike In PG&E Electricity Rates

April 19, 2019

Wildfires Likely to Cause Hike In PG&E Electricity Rates

According to a recent article written by the SF Chronicle, by J.D. Morris, it is very probable that PG&E will be held responsible for the costs of recent wildfires, if their equipment is found responsible. This cost will be passed down to their rate-paying customers. Rates will skyrocket up by 50%, doubling the bills of the average PG&E customer. There has never been a better time to make sure that you are doing everything possible to protect yourself from this rate-hike from using energy efficient appliances, LED lighting upgrades and programming smart timers to ensure electric cars are charging at the cheaper off-peak time intervals. In the past couple of years, wildfires have devastated the State of California. The impact of those fires is spreading beyond those that were directly affected. People who have been devastated by the loss of their home, vehicles and all of their belongings. Many have even lost their lives or the lives of loved ones. In January, PG&E sought after bankruptcy protection as they were facing more than $30 billion in wildfire liabilities. Steven Weissman, who is a lecturer at UC Berkley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, who has worked for many years at the California Utilities Commission recently wrote an analysis of the situation for Gov. Gavin Newsom. In this analysis, he reported that the cost to the average electric customer will be doubled in just one year. Silicon Valley and our innovation economy are also at stake. The power needed to operate headquarters, call centers, server farms, and much more are going to be prone to looking for cheaper alternatives in other states. These businesses could leave the state and this is a big threat to our state’s economy and just yet another effect of the fires that could last long into the future. Electric car costs are on the decline and becoming more attainable for the average consumer in the state. That being said, there really is no better time to make the switch to alternative, clean energy. Dollens Electric is one of San Jose’s top electric companies with almost 20 years of experience, great reviews and we are even Diamond Certified for 9 years in a row. We have professional, friendly electricians that can help you get your smart chargers for electric vehicles installed quickly and efficiently. They can also help with a wide variety of things to make your home and office more energy friendly and efficient. Book online or give us a call and we’ll be glad to help you and to help California overcome the obstacles that have been presented by these fires and an ever-growing dependence on planet-warming emissions from cars and buildings. We can help also help you save a lot of money in the process.