[null and void]

The Energy Department estimates the rules will save the public billions in energy bills

Yeah.

We use less energy.

Utility companies make less money.

Regulators raise the rates to make up for the loss.

Just like every other time.

[DoughtyOne]

Exactly.

[cuban leaf]

Unless you have solar. ;-)

[IYAS9YAS]

Regulators raise the rates to make up for the loss.Yep. The City of Albuquerque is going through this now. The Water Authority pushed and pushed for lower water use, the citizens did a masterful job of it, now the Water Authority's revenue is down and they are proposing rate increases.

[Carry_Okie]

We use less energy. Utility companies make less money.

That's not how it works. Electrical demand is going up, particularly as more electric cars come online. The utilities want to make more money on the same capacity. Making energy cost more means that utilities make their fixed returns on a higher dollar volume without having to invest in new equipment. The PUCs create rebate programs, and pricing structures with severe penalties for consumption over a set baseline to make a profit on reduced consumption. PG&E has done very well off this little gambit, "investing" in everything from "clean" trucks to education programs, all with a guaranteed return.