The truth about politics....

[Rochard]

I've always said local politics is much more important than national politics. What ever happens in Washington DC has little impact on each of us. But if your garbage isn't picked up once a week that has a huge impact on your life.

We have a big power company out here, PG&E, and you can say what you want about them. They are a big company, they have issues, but they have been my power company for thirty-five years or so. No complaints.

A new company came out, and made a deal with the city government where I live... They will automatically switch your power over to this new company if you do not opt out. There was a lot of discussion about it when they first came out. The people who went with the new company pay about $5 less than the rest of us.

This week it was announced this new company will be rising their rates by 17%.

The reason my city allowed this to happen where you automatically get switched unless you opt out is because they city gets a cut of the profits.....

That's some fucked up shit.

[TheSquealer]

[Diomed]

Originally Posted by Rochard

I've always said local politics is much more important than national politics.

Who talks like this?

If I were you I would be convincing myself I didn't live a mustard burp of a life too.

Must be a cold small world in myopia. Is that why you cling to your family so tightly?

Afraid to face the universe head on.. Just think Rochie, a man with the opportunities your be been given.. Foot in the door of the money golden eighties.. and this is what you choose to do with your life?

What a pity.

Just remember one thing - you're are special.. You are unique.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Diomed

Who talks like this?

If I were you I would be convincing myself I didn't live a mustard burp of a life too.

Must be a cold small world in myopia. Is that why you cling to your family so tightly?

Afraid to face the universe head on.. Just think Rochie, a man with the opportunities your be been given.. Foot in the door of the money golden eighties.. and this is what you choose to do with your life?

What a pity.

Just remember one thing - you're are special.. You are unique.

What happens in Washington DC has little effect on what happens to me. Taxes go up, taxes go down. We go to war, we don't go war.

But when our city employees went on strike and we couldn't get rid of our garbage for four weeks.... That was a huge problem.

[Sarn]

But Russia))

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Rochard

What happens in Washington DC has little effect on what happens to me. Taxes go up, taxes go down. We go to war, we don't go war.

But when our city employees went on strike and we couldn't get rid of our garbage for four weeks.... That was a huge problem.

So why do you spend so long bitching about what happens in Washington if it has little effect on you?

What happens locally and centrally has huge effect on you.

[ikamcash]

Politics is a dirty business! No matter where or when.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

So why do you spend so long bitching about what happens in Washington if it has little effect on you?

What happens locally and centrally has huge effect on you.

I'm not bitching, merely commenting.

If we build a wall or don't build a wall, let immigrants in or don't let immigrants in.... It has, for the most part, no impact on my life. Nearly all of my neighbors are immigrants.

[RedFred]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

So why do you spend so long bitching about what happens in Washington if it has little effect on you?

[VRPdommy]

Originally Posted by Rochard

I've always said local politics is much more important than national politics. What ever happens in Washington DC has little impact on each of us. But if your garbage isn't picked up once a week that has a huge impact on your life.

We have a big power company out here, PG&E, and you can say what you want about them. They are a big company, they have issues, but they have been my power company for thirty-five years or so. No complaints.

A new company came out, and made a deal with the city government where I live... They will automatically switch your power over to this new company if you do not opt out. There was a lot of discussion about it when they first came out. The people who went with the new company pay about $5 less than the rest of us.

This week it was announced this new company will be rising their rates by 17%.

The reason my city allowed this to happen where you automatically get switched unless you opt out is because they city gets a cut of the profits.....

That's some fucked up shit.

I believe you are misreading what has happened, and I can't say that for sure in your instance but it sounds like it.

Part of utility 'de-regulation' allowed the local governing authority to 'make a deal (bad choice of words)' and reset everyone's connection to a particular common carrier. It only effects those in the jurisdiction of that governing authority.

Now it may play a bit different in your state that I'm guessing is CA, but normally state guidelines/laws/rules prohibit that governing authority from making a profit on a utility service. But it does not mean that they can't preform some work to that body at a discounted rate. Could be even lowering the rate of street lights, traffic signals etc.

But you do have a choice at the outset to keep your service as it was if you submit the proper paperwork ( i think that is federally mandated with the new regulations)

As I have seen this take effect in at least 3 different states, I always state to everyone effected to keep with your original service for 3 years and see what it's like.
But people are greedy and will always take the bait.
And they do not exactly understand the documentation provided or the cost of switching after the initial period. Most do nothing and are switched by the agreement of the local authority (city, township, borough, county, parish)

De-regulation was a joke. Lucky for me I have had a solar home for 20 years now.
But the fully delivered rate went from 8.65 cents KWHR to 16.4 once it was in effect.
But of course they tell me I could shop around for a better rate on the 'electricity' but the delivery I am paying is as much as everything was before. So the trick is to use less (from them)

I am about to add 6kw of new solar panels to my collection of panels once I finish building a new man cave. And might go totally off grid in the next year with a small propane standby generator. I still have heavy loads like welding and large air compressors etc.

I take the opinion that everything is a scam until I see otherwise because pretty much, that's how it's been. Don't let your greed get the best of you. They are counting on it.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by VRPdommy

I believe you are misreading what has happened, and I can't say that for sure in your instance but it sounds like it.

Part of utility 'de-regulation' allowed the local governing authority to 'make a deal (bad choice of words)' and reset everyone's connection to a particular common carrier. It only effects those in the jurisdiction of that governing authority.

Now it may play a bit different in your state that I'm guessing is CA, but normally state guidelines/laws/rules prohibit that governing authority from making a profit on a utility service. But it does not mean that they can't preform some work to that body at a discounted rate. Could be even lowering the rate of street lights, traffic signals etc.

But you do have a choice at the outset to keep your service as it was if you submit the proper paperwork ( i think that is federally mandated with the new regulations)

As I have seen this take effect in at least 3 different states, I always state to everyone effected to keep with your original service for 3 years and see what it's like.
But people are greedy and will always take the bait.
And they do not exactly understand the documentation provided or the cost of switching after the initial period. Most do nothing and are switched by the agreement of the local authority (city, township, borough, county, parish)

De-regulation was a joke. Lucky for me I have had a solar home for 20 years now.
But the fully delivered rate went from 8.65 cents KWHR to 16.4 once it was in effect.
But of course they tell me I could shop around for a better rate on the 'electricity' but the delivery I am paying is as much as everything was before. So the trick is to use less (from them)

I am about to add 6kw of new solar panels to my collection of panels once I finish building a new man cave. And might go totally off grid in the next year with a small propane standby generator. I still have heavy loads like welding and large air compressors etc.

I take the opinion that everything is a scam until I see otherwise because pretty much, that's how it's been. Don't let your greed get the best of you. They are counting on it.

In this case, we were automatically opted in and if didn't want to get our power from this new company we had to opt out.

It's the same power from the same source. It's not like they are stringing up special power lines for this new company to use.

[VRPdommy]

Originally Posted by Rochard

In this case, we were automatically opted in and if didn't want to get our power from this new company we had to opt out.

It's the same power from the same source. It's not like they are stringing up special power lines for this new company to use.

Yes, it was all part of dereg.
That is how it works.
Your deliverer, you have no choice. It is the pricey part of your bill. About 60-65%.
But the electric and delivery are separate entities even though it seems the same. (and can be the same)
The power grid is fed from multiple sources and you could be getting electric from 500 miles away and you will never know. It's a open market now.
Chances are that the co you were switched to has 'no generation' capability and buy power on the open market from whoever supplies it the cheapest.

This 'on peak' demand is why nat gas power plants are beating out coal.
They can wind-up very quickly in comparison and now that there is plenty of gas from fracking, it's cheap as well as cheap to build with little environmental costs.

I have listened to the same gripes for a decade now. I thought every area had been fully dereg'd by now.

But if you did not opt-out in the initial switch, you probably lost out.
Unless you are using more than 1500kwh a month, it's not really worth shopping around for a cheap supplier.
The politics of this started under Clinton and got a make-over before it was enacted under Bush jr.

I suggest putting up a small solar system and lower the amount you are buying.
2000w worth of panels and a grid tie inverter is a pretty good test set that can pay for itself in 2.5 (or less) years and last 20+. the price of electric power (delivered) is not going to go down anytime soon.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by VRPdommy

Yes, it was all part of dereg.
That is how it works.
Your deliverer, you have no choice. It is the pricey part of your bill. About 60-65%.
But the electric and delivery are separate entities even though it seems the same. (and can be the same)
The power grid is fed from multiple sources and you could be getting electric from 500 miles away and you will never know. It's a open market now.
Chances are that the co you were switched to has 'no generation' capability and buy power on the open market from whoever supplies it the cheapest.

This 'on peak' demand is why nat gas power plants are beating out coal.
They can wind-up very quickly in comparison and now that there is plenty of gas from fracking, it's cheap as well as cheap to build with little environmental costs.

I have listened to the same gripes for a decade now. I thought every area had been fully dereg'd by now.

But if you did not opt-out in the initial switch, you probably lost out.
Unless you are using more than 1500kwh a month, it's not really worth shopping around for a cheap supplier.
The politics of this started under Clinton and got a make-over before it was enacted under Bush jr.

I suggest putting up a small solar system and lower the amount you are buying.
2000w worth of panels and a grid tie inverter is a pretty good test set that can pay for itself in 2.5 (or less) years and last 20+. the price of electric power (delivered) is not going to go down anytime soon.

I have solar so my power bill is less than $150 per year, and I never have to pay that because I sell power back to the power company.

This new company is a rip off. They promised people lower prices, and they were "a little bit lower" but very little differece and now... They are raising their prices by 16% to they will cost more.

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Rochard

I'm not bitching, merely commenting.

If we build a wall or don't build a wall, let immigrants in or don't let immigrants in.... It has, for the most part, no impact on my life. Nearly all of my neighbors are immigrants.

Are most of the immigrants in your area legal or illegal immigrants. What's the average price of a house in your area?

My compliant is against illegal immigrants with little to no skills, criminals, likely to have large families that will not end up in good paying jobs after years of expensive schooling, rely on State healthcare, etc.

I support legal immigration and bright enough to see the difference, something that has escaped some here.

The problems of the country do directly effect you. For instance allowing illegal immigrants into a country puts a stain on the government purse, which then effects your taxes or the country's debt. Filtering them via the Visa system ensures you only take those who will benefit the country.

Now do you understand?