"Revamping the electric grid could yield huge cost savings, SolarCity report says"

[J.P.M.]

Is bob_bob, DanKegel and veritass the same person? It seems like solar is the greatest thing in the world and everything else (relating to power) is either ripping somebody off or killing people.

I kind of doubt it. Such opinions are quite common and, IMO only, and ironically, less helpful to their cause than as those on the "other" side who think solar/R.E. is useless and all our problems would somehow and magically, or, at least without substantive explanation, evaporate if we'd only generate all grid power with nukes, etc.

Seems to me that the world and most in it are becoming terminally stupid with one result (of which this is an example) being that things continue to get more polarized and dichotomous as we proceed on this headlong rush into idiocracy. That the rants seem to be more vituperative and common than in the past may be another result/consequence of the rush to mental sloth - ignorance breeds fear.

Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

[8.4]

Is bob_bob, DanKegel and veritass the same person? It seems like solar is the greatest thing in the world and everything else (relating to power) is either ripping somebody off or killing people.

[jflorey2]

But you are right, I'm going to write a letter to my congressman and senator to address this gross rip off of rate payers.

So - your solution is to complain to someone. That's your right as an American. Other people solve their own problems with their own money, work, sweat and ingenuity. I tend to prefer the latter type. But to each their own.

[Sunking]

The solution to this problem is informing people. .

Hogwash. The country is flooded with info. 99% of it is BS propaganda from a noisy minority activist who have no clue what they are talking about. Either that or they are in the biz with vested and making up the BS. My guess is you have vested interest.

[bob_bob]

I'm not. I get pretty good value for my dollar from my utility. Again, if you feel you are not, then stop complaining and do something about it.

I'm not! I encourage you to compete with your utility with your very own power system. Put your money where your mouth is. (Or just bitch; up to you.)

The solution to this problem is informing people. You are right I should organize of the utility company rip off. Maybe the fact that Calfornia utilities are ripping off consumers to the tune of 1.6 billion dollar a year doesn't bother you, but it matter to poor people. People need to put pressure on the PUC so it acts in the best interest of the ratepayers and not the utility company. I like in a city so, solar panels aren't a option. But you are right, I'm going to write a letter to my congressman and senator to address this gross rip off of rate payers.

[jflorey2]

Why are you such a big fan of utilities overcharging customers?

I'm not. I get pretty good value for my dollar from my utility. Again, if you feel you are not, then stop complaining and do something about it.

Why are you such a big fan of lack of competition?

I'm not! I encourage you to compete with your utility with your very own power system. Put your money where your mouth is. (Or just bitch; up to you.)

[Sunking]

Utilities are inefficient monopolies which are facing competition for the first time.

Get a grip on reality. Solar is no threat to a utility. Only threat is to the public by being ripped off by solar.

[SunEagle]

Electric utilities have used the monopoly to screw consumers, but as solar and batteries become cheaper, consumers now have an option and will have more of an option as rates get lower. The most efficient way to have electricity now is to use the grid with a non-corrupt utility that leeches off the consumer. Saying , "Anyone here can go off the net if they are willing to pay for it; very few do." ignores why the electric utility has a monopoly in the first place. They have a monopoly because it doesn't make sense for multiple firms to have their own line to customers. They have a monopoly because consumers can't easily switch. Because consumers didn't have an option before, they charged much more then was justified and utilities earned monopoly rent. So utilities now give large campaign contributions to get politicians to do things which benefit them at the expense of their customers. It's political corruption.

But as time goes on, solar and going off grid becomes an actual alternative. Competition is good for consumers and bad for utility companies. I know some utility employees and trust me they aren't the sharpest bulbs. Unions should be banned.

It sounds like you have an issue with Unions and Electric Utilities. I feel bad for you if you have been subjected to a bad experience but from my experience it isn't the same for all Unions and Utilities.

For over 40 years and a number of different jobs I have gotten the chance to be acquainted with many people that worked for POCO's. Also for 8 years I was a salaried supervisor for a great many union electricians and instrument techs. Most of those people were hard workers, very intelligent and never went out of their way to screw the public.

Feeling like you are being cheated by your POCO is your own issue. Believing that all POCO or Union people are corrupt or dumb is just plain wrong and IMO very hateful.

[bob_bob]

Hey, your right to complain rather than doing anything about the problem has a long history in the US, and you have every right to do so.

Why are you such a big fan of utilities overcharging customers? Why are you such a big fan of lack of competition? And it is very American to talk about political issues comrade.

[jflorey2]

Freedom of speech a very important part of being an America. I'm sorry you don't seem to feel that way.

Hey, your right to complain rather than doing anything about the problem has a long history in the US, and you have every right to do so.

[J.P.M.]

Freedom of speech a very important part of being an America. I'm sorry you don't seem to feel that way.

FWIW, maybe I missed something, but I didn't see or infer anything about freedom of speech in anyone's comments.

[bob_bob]

Well, actually, complaining on Internet boards and not actually doing anything to solve the problem is the American way. Anyone here can go off the net if they are willing to pay for it; very few do.

Freedom of speech a very important part of being an America. I'm sorry you don't seem to feel that way.

[bob_bob]

They can, actually. They are public utilities, and can raise their rates provided that the rate increase is approved by the public utilities commission. These commissioners are generally appointed by the governor (an elected official) and ratified by the state senate (more elected officials.) So you have a say in what happens.

If you want to support more solar, expect to pay more for the required upgrades and generation. The PUC will generally approve rate increases to supporr thatt, because most states in the US support solar installations.

Well, actually, complaining on Internet boards and not actually doing anything to solve the problem is the American way. Anyone here can go off the net if they are willing to pay for it; very few do.

Electric utilities have used the monopoly to screw consumers, but as solar and batteries become cheaper, consumers now have an option and will have more of an option as rates get lower. The most efficient way to have electricity now is to use the grid with a non-corrupt utility that leeches off the consumer. Saying , "Anyone here can go off the net if they are willing to pay for it; very few do." ignores why the electric utility has a monopoly in the first place. They have a monopoly because it doesn't make sense for multiple firms to have their own line to customers. They have a monopoly because consumers can't easily switch. Because consumers didn't have an option before, they charged much more then was justified and utilities earned monopoly rent. So utilities now give large campaign contributions to get politicians to do things which benefit them at the expense of their customers. It's political corruption.

But as time goes on, solar and going off grid becomes an actual alternative. Competition is good for consumers and bad for utility companies. I know some utility employees and trust me they aren't the sharpest bulbs. Unions should be banned.

[jflorey2]

Can't wait for all the lazy electric utility union employees to have actually have to do some work. They won't simply just be able to raise the rates anymore.

They can, actually. They are public utilities, and can raise their rates provided that the rate increase is approved by the public utilities commission. These commissioners are generally appointed by the governor (an elected official) and ratified by the state senate (more elected officials.) So you have a say in what happens.

If you want to support more solar, expect to pay more for the required upgrades and generation. The PUC will generally approve rate increases to supporr thatt, because most states in the US support solar installations.

Competition is the American way. Socialism and unions in the European way.

Well, actually, complaining on Internet boards and not actually doing anything to solve the problem is the American way. Anyone here can go off the net if they are willing to pay for it; very few do.

[bob_bob]

I think your tune would change if the utilities said "you're right! We are shutting down and allowing you to enjoy the benefits of 'free' off-grid solar."

Of course, no need for anything that drastic. If you feel you are being cheated, you can leave the grid at any time and install a completely independent solar power system.

Can't wait for all the lazy electric utility union employees to have actually have to do some work. They won't simply just be able to raise the rates anymore. Competition is the American way. Socialism and unions in the European way.