SMUD Utility 'Summer Rates' Archives

California’s Perfect Storm: Hot Weather, Low Reservoirs, Diminished Hydro Power, Unreliable Renewable Energy

July 22, 2021 2:15 amJuly 22, 2021 8:12 am

Last week, Californians learned that Pacific Gas and Electric told state utility regulators that a damaged fuse box from a one of their power lines could be responsible for starting the large Dixie Fire currently burning in the Sierra Nevada...

California’s Electric Grid Is Near Collapse

August 19, 2020 1:13 pmAugust 20, 2020 2:26 pm

California is rich in natural resources which once powered the state: natural gas deposits in the Monterey Shale formation; geothermal energy, abundant rivers and waterways such as the San Joaquin River Delta and hydroelectric dams; the Pacific coastline; 85 million...

‘Get Used to It:’ California’s Rolling Blackouts, Power Outages

August 17, 2020 3:47 pmAugust 19, 2020 2:10 pm

At Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press conference Monday, he discussed the state’s heatwave, record temperatures throughout the state, and the rolling blackouts millions have to deal with over the very hot weekend. The California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) began the...

California Energy Prices Continue to Rise Higher Than Other States

August 6, 2020 4:57 pmAugust 7, 2020 6:20 am

The Center for Jobs and the Economy at the California Business Roundtable reports that California gas and energy prices continued to rise higher in July than nearly all other states. “These outcomes mean that even as many households struggle under...

California Power Outages: Extreme Weather, Extreme Energy Shortages, or Extreme Litigation?

October 1, 2019 12:18 pmOctober 29, 2019 6:32 am

San Francisco based Pacific Gas & Electric recently warned customers on that it could turn off power in six Northern California counties as a public safety precaution to help reduce the risk of wildfire. The shutdown could have impacted as...

SMUD Utility ‘Summer Rates’ Surge To Accommodate Increasing Renewable Cost Subsidies

June 25, 2019 2:07 amJune 26, 2019 6:04 am

On June 1st, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District began charging Sacramento electricity users and ratepayers a new rate system that charges residential users higher rates between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m… much higher rates, just in time to get home...