Posted on 03/25/2002 10:51:26 PM PST by JohnHuang2
SAN FRANCISCO - Jenny Lovrin used to rip open the natural gas electricity bill each month and find that she and her five roommates owed less than $100. This winter's bills have hit $225.
"Every month I'm afraid to open that bill and see how much higher it's gotten" says Ms. Lovrin, a receptionist. "With six people it's hard to tell everybody 'Turn off the lights, don't use the heater as much."'
The end of March marks the end of one year since rolling blackouts and utilities' debts prompted California power regulators to raise electric rates, partly to keep the utilities in business.
The emergency hikes mean customers of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison are paying among the nation's highest rates. The Public Utilities Commission later hiked rates for San Diego Gas & Electric consumers, too.
Coincidentally, the end of March also marks the end of a rate freeze that was imposed by the legislature's ill-fated 1996 plan to deregulate electricity markets. Utilities say that freeze plunged them into debt and ruined their credit ratings by preventing them from passing wholesale power price increases on to consumers.
Despite lower wholesale prices now, the end of the rate freeze won't bring relief any time soon to businesses and consumers like Lovrin. The state still needs to recoup the roughly $10 billion it has spent buying electricity for utilities.
"I think the most likely outcome is that rates will be at this level for a long time," says Severin Borenstein, director of the University of California's Energy Institute.
....state...needs to recoup ...roughly $10 billion spent buying electricity for utilities.
So. Gray, baby. How you gonna explain that one to the electorate?
Davis just say that he is for killing babies in the wombs of their mothers or right after they are delivered (or in their lingo, Pro Choice)!
Then, he will promise everything to the gay voting groups from being allowed to preditate in any school, day care center or in a church if they pretend to be a priest or minister.
You're so right. As long as conscienceless Davis vocally supports every type of aberrant behavior, and chants the mantras of the PC depraved choice types, pervs, phonies and the rest of the culture's bottom-feeders, they will vote en masse for him.
I think that number is too low, should be something above $14 billion!!
calgov2002:
calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Graydavis has a lot hidden I betcha. Hope Simon gets it out ......himself or through surrogates.
gracias.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.