Tag Archive for: California Public Utilities Commission

California Supreme Court Reverses Public Utilities Commission on Water Surcharges

/in , /by /Courthouse News Serviceby Edvard Pettersson

The California Supreme Court on Monday reversed the state’s Public Utilities Commission’s 2020 order that stopped water companies from using certain surcharges when their revenue falls short because of conservation efforts.

The court agreed with a group of water companies that the commission hadn’t clearly informed them that it would consider eliminating the so-called decoupling mechanisms — initially prompted by years of drought and the need to conserve water — in the scoping memos for the yearslong rulemaking proceedings that culminated in the 2020 order.

Full Story

Chico Customers Paying Higher Water and Sewer Rates

/in , , /by /Action News Nowby Kelli Saam

People in Chico are seeing higher water bills this summer. It’s a combination of higher water and sewer rates. Starting in July the current combined bill must be paid separately. Cal Water implemented a four percent interim rate increase on May 5. Chico Cal Water District Manager Evan Markey said the final rate increase has been delayed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Full Story

Long Beach Commission Approves 9% Hike in Water Bills

/in , , /by /ABC 7 Los Angelesby Staff

Long Beach water customers will likely see their bills increase this year.

This comes after the Utilities Commission approved a 9% increase for water usage Monday.

The increase would add just over $5 to the average single-family household’s bill starting Oct. 1.

A public hearing on the rates is tentatively scheduled for August.

Full Story

CAISO Calls For Near-Term Power Procurement, Even With Possible Diablo Canyon Extension

/in , , /by /Utility Diveby Ethan Howard

The California Public Utilities Commission should reject calls to delay adding new power supplies in the state even though the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant’s impending retirement may be put on hold, according to the California Independent System Operator.

CAISO also supports a recommendation from the CPUC’s Public Advocates Office that the commission authorize immediate procurements to address system needs from 2026 through 2030, the grid operator said in comments it filed at the commission on Thursday.

Full Story

A Judge Recommends Approving Pure Water Monterey Expansion, in What Could Change the Water Landscape

/in , , /by /Monteray County Weeklyby David Schmalz

The future water supply of the Monterey Peninsula got a big boost Sept. 30 when Anne Simon, an administrative law judge appointed by the California Public Utilities Commission, issued a proposed decision that, if approved by the CPUC next month, would authorize an expansion of the Pure Water Monterey recycled water project.

Full Story

California Prepares for Energy Shortfalls in Hot, Dry Summer

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Kathleen Ronayne

California likely will have an energy shortfall equivalent to what it takes to power about 1.3 million homes when use is at its peak during the hot and dry summer months, state officials said Friday.

Threats from drought, extreme heat and wildfires, plus supply chain and regulatory issues hampering the solar industry will create challenges for energy reliability this summer, the officials said. They represented the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s energy grid.

Full Story

CAISO Approves Nearly $3B of Transmission Projects to Prepare for California’s Clean Energy Goals

/in , , /by /Utility Diveby Kavya Balaraman

The California Independent System Operator approved a transmission plan Thursday that includes 23 projects, estimated to cost nearly $3 billion, to cope with the dramatic increase in renewable generation and forecasted load growth in its footprint.

Full Story

What Can Be Done to Keep California’s Utility Bills From Getting Even Higher?

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Rob Nikolewski

As rising power bills leave many Californians howling — with San Diego Gas & Electric customers paying the highest rates — the regulatory agency that approves what the state’s three big investor-owned utilities can charge opened a two-day workshop Monday to discuss what can be done to keep prices from climbing even higher.

The California Public Utilities Commission, known as the CPUC, heard from a range of voices that included consumer and trade groups, energy analysts, environmental organizations, academics and the power companies themselves during the virtual meeting opening day.

Full Story

To Get ‘White Gold,’ We Need More Geothermal

/in , /by

A vision for a “Lithium Valley” around the Salton Sea does appear to be on its way to reality.

The potential of the sea as a vast untapped and sustainable reserve of lithium for a world increasingly focused toward renewable — and rechargeable — sources of power got a shot in the arm last week.

How a Beachfront Gas Plant Explains California’s Energy Problems

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Sammy Roth

When the California Public Utilities Commission recommended 17 months ago that a gas-fired power plant on the Redondo Beach waterfront remain open beyond 2020 — over the objections of local officials and clean energy activists — Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves made a commitment to the city’s mayor.

Full Story