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As a part of SDG&E's attempt to make the Sunrise PowerLink appear to be a fait accomplis, the utility is frightening landowners with eminent domain if they are in the Sunrise PowerLink's path. If you read the article in Sunday's Union-Tribune, it seems as though getting approval of the controversial power line is a mere formality. Not true. Get the facts and your Eminent Domain Survival Guide HERE.
In 2011, smart meters will be fully deployed to SDG&E's million+ customers. The rest of the country is following suit with mass deployments of smart meters and creations of Smart Grids, microgrids, and other forms of "intelligent" two-way electric distribution systems. What does all of this mean for consumers? And how will consumers fare in this new energy service world? The California PUC put those questions to stakeholders in its effort to fashion utility Smart Grid deployment plans. Here's UCAN's take.
Say what? SDG&E hasn't even built the Sunrise Powerlink and it's already selling it off? Well, not quite. But insider players are trying to capitalize on this enormous capital project. This is required reading for those who want to learn the ugly skinny on the financial machinations within the Sunrise debacle.
Solar Energy. Free energy from the sun is arguably San Diego's best source for power because photo-voltaic solar panels put energy back into the grid at precisely the moment when we need it the most - on scorching hot summer days. Now, a new law will give homeowners and small businesses an incentive for helping San Diego become energy independent. Full Story.
Smart meters are in the news. Are they really smart? Are we being dumb in accepting the political/industrial mantra that smart meters are a panacea for many of our nation's energy ills? Of course, the issue is complex and the truth elusive. But smart meters represent a very potent tool -- one that can be used powerfully for good or illicitly for evil. For a UCAN-ish take on the smart meter debate, click here. And then let us know what you think.
The smart grid can be one of our best 21st century friends -- or our worst nightmare. Which one will it be? Read below.
An old state law has resulted in new electric rates that seem to punish low-use SDG&E customers while rewarding profligate energy users. We don't like the way these rates are being calculated. FULL STORY.
California has a new energy efficiency standard. The California Energy Commission voted 5-0 to approve efficiency regulations for TVs up to 58 inches.
Telecom and utility companies use the National Consumers Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), a members-only, unique Equifax database to review consumer credit history. The question remains whether the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to the NCTUE and what information consumers should be able to obtain about themselves.
KPBS Radio, Ed Joyce - UCAN and the Center for Biological Diversity have initiated a joint legal action in the California Supreme Court to stop construction of SDG&E's Sunrise PowerLink. Full Story.
John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? Get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad by using our Online Complaint Forms. Once you've filled out a complaint, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!
Visit our page dedicated to the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project. You will find news, data, legal hearings and testimony, open-letters from UCAN's executive director, and just about everything else you might want to know regarding this important proposal. Or, listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's opposition to Sunrise in this UCAN.org podcast.
Miracles don't happen often enough in our world. But when Michael starts growing his own fish and food in his garage, then you know that there's some divine intervention because Michael doesn't fish and he's got a brown thumb that makes all leafy things tremble. So how did Advocate Michael become Farmer Michael? One word: AQUAPONICS.
December 8th, 2006 was not a good day for San Diego. On that day, San Diego Gas & Electric asked state regulators for permission to raise base rates for electricity and natural gas customers by some $250 million annually for the years 2008 through 2013. You don't need a calculator to realize that adds up to a chilly $1.5 BILLION over those six years. Listen to Michael Shames explain UCAN's position on SDG&E's rate request.
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
In a filing with the Public Utilities Commission, SDG&E has asked for approval to deploy "real-time" advanced meters to all of SDG&E's small business and residential customers. Find out why the SDG&E AMI proposal needed to be substantially revised.
Watch Part 3 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.
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What are you packin? Is it anything like UCAN's new and improved Consumer Complaint Directory? If not, you should really pick up a copy. This thing is chock-full of hard-hitting consumer punch.
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