New PG&E EV rate schedule

[matth]

As a participant in the last round of PG&E's EV rate rulemaking, I got a notice today that they are implementing their new EV rate. As I recall, they agreed to make that rate mandatory only for new entrants, and allowed everyone on E-1A and E-1B to stay on those rates for the moment (my big gripe with the new EV rate is that it removes tiers, and therefore removes incentives for conservation). I don't see anything in the current announcement that make it clear that anyone can stay on E-1.

Does anyone see that, one way or the another, in the announcement?

[oakwcj]

As a participant in the last round of PG&E's EV rate rulemaking, I got a notice today that they are implementing their new EV rate. As I recall, they agreed to make that rate mandatory only for new entrants, and allowed everyone on E-1A and E-1B to stay on those rates for the moment (my big gripe with the new EV rate is that it removes tiers, and therefore removes incentives for conservation). I don't see anything in the current announcement that make it clear that anyone can stay on E-1.

Does anyone see that, one way or the another, in the announcement?

I think you mean "E-9A and E-9B." The CPUC order made it clear that those currently on either E-9 rate can stay on it until it completes its next general rate review, which should be sometime next year.

If you don't have a PV system, it's probably a no-brainer to stay on E-9. However, if you do have solar, it isn't so clear, because the newly instituted winter peak period will generate credits. I did a quick comparison, using my bills for the past year, and I would come out about $20 ahead on the EV-A rate. Has anyone else with a solar installation run a comparison?

[Spies]

I did a quick comparison, using my bills for the past year, and I would come out about $20 ahead on the EV-A rate. Has anyone else with a solar installation run a comparison?

I only recently got solar, in fact less than a month, but I have done some rough estimates comparing E9A and EVA with and without solar as I have been on E9A for years. For me E9A was much better without solar as I typically only went into the third tier each month. However now that I have solar EVA may actually turn out to be better for me just like you. The nice part is now that I have a smartmeter and solar installed I will have enough data to make an informed decision before I have to make a rate change.

[Spies]

I should add that there was a time when E9A or E9B rate was mandatory for someone to charge a vehicle at home. That requirement was removed some time ago, however one cannot change their rate more than once every 12 months.

[Spies]

I don't see anything in the current announcement that make it clear that anyone can stay on E-1.

Does anyone see that, one way or the another, in the announcement?

Well it still says one can stay on the old rate according to the following PG&E page http://www.pge.com/myhome/environment/w ... teoptions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When Schedule EV becomes available, customers taking service on either option of the E-9 schedule may choose to stay on that rate schedule, or move to the new EV rate schedule. If no choice is made, they will remain on the E-9 rate until at least the end of 2014*, at which point they will transition to the new EV rate.

[matth]

Thanks. So PG&E has documented that we can stay on E9-A. (yes, I had the moniker wrong)

I don't see anything in the current announcement that make it clear that anyone can stay on E-1.

Does anyone see that, one way or the another, in the announcement?

Well it still says one can stay on the old rate according to the following PG&E page http://www.pge.com/myhome/environment/w ... teoptions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When Schedule EV becomes available, customers taking service on either option of the E-9 schedule may choose to stay on that rate schedule, or move to the new EV rate schedule. If no choice is made, they will remain on the E-9 rate until at least the end of 2014*, at which point they will transition to the new EV rate.

I think PG&E has missed a process point as to what happens at the end of 2014. They don't have approval from the PUC to force everybody onto EV. For me, and probably for lots of others, EV may be so disadvantageous that I will move back to E-1, though I have not yet run the #s. It basically moves me from off peak at ~$0.04 and peak of ~$0.30 to off peak of ~$.10 and peak of ~$.37, if I remember their #s correctly. E-1 would put me at closer to an average of $0.14.

This is a little OT, but do you all find it surprising that PG&E's non generation costs/KWH are higher than some utilities total costs/KWH?!

[oakwcj]

I did a quick comparison, using my bills for the past year, and I would come out about $20 ahead on the EV-A rate. Has anyone else with a solar installation run a comparison?

I only recently got solar, in fact less than a month, but I have done some rough estimates comparing E9A and EVA with and without solar as I have been on E9A for years. For me E9A was much better without solar as I typically only went into the third tier each month. However now that I have solar EVA may actually turn out to be better for me just like you. The nice part is now that I have a smartmeter and solar installed I will have enough data to make an informed decision before I have to make a rate change.

Unfortunately, PG&E took my smartmeter away when I had solar installed, and neither PG&E nor its contractor, Wellington Energy, will give me as much as an estimate of when they will put in a new smartmeter. This makes it more difficult to figure out the net difference between E9-A and EV-A.

[wwhitney]

Unfortunately, PG&E took my smartmeter away when I had solar installed, and neither PG&E nor its contractor, Wellington Energy, will give me as much as an estimate of when they will put in a new smartmeter. This makes it more difficult to figure out the net difference between E9-A and EV-A.

See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.p ... 10#p274035" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for my experience in Berkeley. Perhaps Oakland is different?

Cheers, Wayne

[oakwcj]

Unfortunately, PG&E took my smartmeter away when I had solar installed, and neither PG&E nor its contractor, Wellington Energy, will give me as much as an estimate of when they will put in a new smartmeter. This makes it more difficult to figure out the net difference between E9-A and EV-A.

See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.p ... 10#p274035" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for my experience in Berkeley. Perhaps Oakland is different?

Cheers, Wayne

They are deploying by territory. I called PG&E after I read your post. They passed the buck to Wellington. Wellington told me it was entirely up to PG&E. Par for the course. I didn't bother calling PG&E back.

[EricBayArea]

I am part of the email too. I'm glad I'll be staying on E-9a until the end of 2014 because the current EV schedule may be worse than me going back to E-1