Most PG&E ratepayers are unaware of how much higher the rates they pay are compared to what it actually costs PG&E to generate and transmit electricity. Shockingly, the average PG&E electricity charge is 40 cents per kilowatt-hour, while other utility companies like Silicon Valley Power and Sacramento charge 17 cents per kilowatt-hour. It’s possible for cities to create their own utility and offer lower rates than PG&E. By establishing their own utility, cities like Walnut Creek could save residential ratepayers up to $800 per year. Generating electricity costs around 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, transmission costs about 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, and distribution costs about 20 cents per kilowatt-hour. The high price of electricity has various negative impacts, such as hurting low-income households and making electricity less competitive compared to gasoline and natural gas. Walnut Creek could save millions of dollars annually by establishing its own utility network, potentially improving public safety, promoting green infrastructure investments, and supporting the transition to clean energy. Contact your Mayor or City Council to explore the possibility of creating a city-owned utility.
https://kevin.burke.dev/kevin/norcal-cities-new-utility/