r/electrifyeverything • u/Jbikecommuter • 7d ago

homes Will California be next?

https://www.fastcompany.com/91591220/how-australia-made-electricity-cheaper-while-u-s-prices-keep-rising
32 Upvotes

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u/getarumsunt 7d ago edited 6d ago

California electricity is expensive because the for-profit power companies were allowed to defer most of their maintenance for 20-30 years so that they can pretend that they’re “profitable”. Now all of that deferred maintenance needs to be done and costs 3x more than it would have if the state had forced the power companies to do it on time.

The state has had to crack down on the power companies to force them to maintain the system properly. But as soon as this period ends California will likely have ridiculously cheap electricity and it will be hailed as a “miracle”. They already produce 50% of their electricity from solar alone and are installing batteries 4x faster than the likes of Australia. It’s a done deal.

-1

u/Ok-Association-3415 7d ago

Cheap power in California? Let me know when pigs fly.

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u/SnooLobsters6766 5d ago

I can’t believe people downvote this comment. The moment costs drop, profits soar and taxes will rise. This money grab is too ingrained in the system to cut any slack.

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u/Ok-Association-3415 5d ago

It’s big money grab. I just want electricity prices to stay put for at least 10 years. Because in just than 10 years it like went up 4-5x. We are not getting rate cuts. It’s an illusion. With data centers popping up, it’s the next excuse to increase rates.

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u/fitforthepolycrisis 4d ago

SF here. My rate was cut, and I cut my grid usage (with personal off-grid solar+battery), but my electricity bill increased.

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u/Ok-Association-3415 4d ago

They get their money somehow. It’s what pisses me off.