J.D. Power Utilities Intelligence’s Post

Since early 2023, there has been a significant upward trend in energy rates, resulting in an alarming increase of over 49% since 2020. As a result, residents are now facing the impact of this rate hike.California residents are strongly advised to prioritize energy conservation and proactively seek out alternate solutions. Considering a #renewable solution? We're here for you. Check out our latest whole-home backup battery system, the Mango Power M, or our portable backup batteries. More here: https://loom.ly/RmGFrfE #priceincrease #energy #power #solar #renewables

https://lnkd.in/gMxpHW8t Green/Left fawning 'Energy Reporters' always try to talk down the price of energy. "Big falls unlikely"? What crap. NO REDUCTION IN ENERGY PRICES IS LIKELY IN AUSTRALIA. The high cost of renewable energy is loaded on to consumer bills. Just got my Ergon Energy electricity bill. The tariff has gone from the coal-fired 22.135 cents per KWH to the RE loaded 30.227 cents per KWH (up 36.56%) and the rapacious 'service fee' has risen from 90.408 cents per day to $1.09521 per day (up 21.14%).

The illusion of electricity "bill relief" for Dominion Energy Virginia customers, created by the temporary suspension of collecting unpaid fuel costs, may have been intentionally timed to mask the impact of five electricity cost increases all hitting just before the November election. The utility execs are the virtuosos and the Assembly just the violin they play... Effective September 1 customers will start to pay directly for the utility's carbon tax under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, almost $4.50 month if they use 1,000 kilowatt hours. They will also begin to pay way more toward the coming construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, for transmission line projects, and additional monthly fees for the utility's ongoing portfolio of energy efficiency and demand reduction incentives. If you sign up for demand reduction and follow the utility's instruction, a rebate follows, but always remember your neighbors provided those dollars, every dollar and every neighbor. Finally, on November 1 customers will start to pay a real charge for the low-income subsidy program known as the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, or PIPP. More details and links to SCC case files in the following on Bacon's Rebellion:

ANOTHER 22% Rate Increase in NYSEG and 16% INCREASE in RG&E Here we go again... Massive rate increases have arrived in 2 more New York State utilities. This is the first increase of several to come. Business owners should be concerned with long-term price certainty. LONG-TERM, Price Protection WINS! I can help you remove the price dips and spikes as energy costs are and will continue to rise over time. This is why signing working with an Energy Broker and locking in a favorable rate now for up to 5 years is SMART and will protect your business from the volatile Energy Market. https://lnkd.in/dyU68PGm

While I personally think the OEB decided correctly on the new cost structure for new connections, and that it was a well-reasoned decision, and remarkably well written. I also think that the uproar over raising costs for new homes is ridiculous -- the worst case scenario it would only add $4,400 to the cost of a new house -- and besides no new homes should be built using natural gas. If you build a new home connected to the gas system you are wasting future owner's money, or you are building such a badly built energy inefficient house that you are wasting current owner's money. (Existing building connected to the gas system is a different story.) What I am really disappointed with is the attack on regulatory independence. This is not the only example unfortunately. Regulators need to have the independence to make decisions based on facts, not on what they think politicians will want to hear. Politicizing the regulatory process as is happening here will just lead to bad decisions, and higher costs for all customers. Regardless of your view on how the energy transition will unfold, regulators will need to make hard decisions. If we politicize the process and make them less independent it will lead to fights and counter-fights, a harder time making the decisions we need, and higher costs and lower investment all around. No company or participant in the energy sector should be supporting such politicization. https://lnkd.in/ghV_zVbT

Are you shocked at how much your energy bill costs? You're not alone. The latest CNET Money survey found a concerning trend: people are struggling to afford their energy bills. They're cutting back on both non-essentials, necessities and even leaning on borrowing and payment plans to make the monthly bill more affordable. Americans also worry about investing in energy-efficient projects and are unsure if the high upfront cost will really yield long-term savings. I spoke with Daniella Flores and Rewiring America to get to the bottom of what the trends mean for your home energy and what you can do about it. Find out here: https://lnkd.in/dHdxEeED

Did you know the Inflation Reduction Act signed by Biden in Aug 2022 funds states to get home energy rebates out the door to those in need? Each state must get community feedback on its plans to distribute these dollars. You can get more information on where each state is at and how it works here https://lnkd.in/g33AQV3r Michigan is underway in the public comment period, ending in April 2024. In-person and virtual meetings will also be held, and you can learn more about them here. The next event is in person in Grand Rapids on April 4th! https://lnkd.in/gCSkPxSS We have compiled a list of talking points we hope you will consider referencing as you contact your state energy offices. ✅ Traditional utility rebate structured programs must be more equitable to reach those needing them. A 2022 ACEEE (1) report shows more details on inequalities built in traditional utility rebate programs. In MI, we hope they consider leveraging and expanding the MSHDA MI Hope Program (2) to deliver these funds and avoid the utility model. ✅ Ensure rebates can apply to dual fuel heating systems that allow an outdoor heat pump condenser to be paid for to tie into existing gas furnaces. ✅ Create a one-stop shop holistic home inspection process that educates people about their home's needs and brings in additional braided dollars. Similar programs in MI to consider that do this include the GreenHome Institute GreenHome Inspection(3), City of Holland Home Energy 101(4) and City of Ann Arbor Energy Advisor Program (Launch TBD 4/24) ✅ Do not allow funding of gas equipment ✅ We recommend that states increase restrictions on rent increases and evictions from the DOE mandated two years to five years. ✅ Use workforce development dollars to train existing and new diverse workforces through the DOE Energy Skilled badged credentials and ensure that contractors with these badges are the only ones getting rebates for this program. (Reference https://lnkd.in/gPk_DT46)  ✅ Ensure the program includes those who live in manufactured housing and supportive housing efforts, including but not limited to people experiencing homelessness, refugees, immigrants, long-term health care, youth, etc.  ✅ Use the modeled energy pathway for the funds and ideally utilize the Department of Energy Home Energy Score. Set up a study to determine the effectiveness of the measured approach and consider accepting that for contractors who have proven successful by measuring their utility savings on all homes taking the modeled approach for rebates. Will you help us share these ideas with your state? (1) https://lnkd.in/gQxx7wGe (2) https://lnkd.in/gy4y6Fv8 (3) https://lnkd.in/gXCxTDvR (4)https://lnkd.in/gJGSZQsq

Alberta aims to smooth utility bill volatility The Alberta government is aiming to smooth out utility bill volatility through a stabilized default rate for customers who do not have a competitive contract for electricity and/or gas, and […] #transformfm #ifma #ashe

https://lnkd.in/eStr6gS4 🚨Homeowners in New Jersey🚨 This article on NJ.gov details the expected utility increases for 2024 and highlights that PSE&G ratepayers will be seeing a 6.2% bill increase, while JCP&L ratepayers will be seeing a shocking 8.6% bill increase by June 1st. These increases are staggering in comparison to the average yearly increase of 4%. With solar, homeowners will save money and can even get approved for a fixed solar rate with a 0% increase for up to 25 years! After the 25 years, they don’t have an electric bill at all! Imagine if someone told you they could give you a fixed rate on the price of gasoline that would never increase for the next 25 years. Would you take that rate, or stay subject to the randomly increasing gas prices? What about groceries? What if someone gave you a fixed price on groceries that made sense for the next 25 years and never increased? Would you take that rate? Take control of your electric bills and message me to go solar with SunPurity today. Otherwise, watch your bills continue to rise exponentially like they have been! #renewableenergy #solarenergy #saveyourmoney #efficientsolutions