utilities /tags/utilities utilities en-US Copyright Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:32:57 GMT One reason California power bills are so high: Baked-in profits that critics call excessive /money-and-personal-finances/2025-01-31/one-reason-california-power-bills-are-so-high-baked-in-profits-that-critics-call-excessive Public utilities can bill directly for hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholder returns despite being in what critics call a lower-risk business. Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:32:57 GMT /money-and-personal-finances/2025-01-31/one-reason-california-power-bills-are-so-high-baked-in-profits-that-critics-call-excessive Malena Carollo Californians pay second highest electricity rates in the country, according to a new report /environment-energy-and-transportation/2025-01-13/californians-pay-second-highest-electricity-rates-in-the-country-according-to-a-new-report Californians pay close to double what people in other states pay for electricity, according to a new report from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:39:01 GMT /environment-energy-and-transportation/2025-01-13/californians-pay-second-highest-electricity-rates-in-the-country-according-to-a-new-report Megan Myscofski Oregon lawmakers to introduce bill barring utility rate increases amid unresolved wildfire lawsuits /politics-government/2024-12-25/oregon-lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-barring-utility-rate-increases-amid-unresolved-wildfire-lawsuits Three Republican state representatives announced their proposal on the heels of an approved rate increase for PacifiCorp customers and a federal lawsuit against the electric power company. Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:28:31 GMT /politics-government/2024-12-25/oregon-lawmakers-to-introduce-bill-barring-utility-rate-increases-amid-unresolved-wildfire-lawsuits Claire Rush Californians pay billions for power companies’ wildfire prevention efforts. Are they cost-effective? /wildfire/2024-12-04/californians-pay-billions-for-power-companies-wildfire-prevention-efforts-are-they-cost-effective After utility equipment sparked tragic wildfires, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E received state approval to collect $27 billion from ratepayers. As California electric bills soar, questions have emerged about oversight and costs. Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:45:27 GMT /wildfire/2024-12-04/californians-pay-billions-for-power-companies-wildfire-prevention-efforts-are-they-cost-effective Alejandro Lazo Customers accuse NW Natural of greenwashing, in lawsuit over its carbon reduction program /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-10-10/customers-accuse-nw-natural-of-greenwashing-in-lawsuit-over-its-carbon-reduction-program Oregon’s largest gas utility is facing yet another lawsuit this week, just days after Multnomah County added the company to a lawsuit related to 2021 heat dome deaths. Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:19:14 GMT /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-10-10/customers-accuse-nw-natural-of-greenwashing-in-lawsuit-over-its-carbon-reduction-program Monica Samayoa Talent residents rally over ongoing power outages /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-08-27/talent-residents-rally-over-ongoing-power-outages Residents of Talent, Oregon took to the streets to express their frustration over a series of power outages in the Southern Oregon community since June. Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:22:46 GMT /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-08-27/talent-residents-rally-over-ongoing-power-outages James Kelley Energy demand from data centers growing faster than West can supply, experts say /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-08-26/energy-demand-from-data-centers-growing-faster-than-west-can-supply-experts-say In a webinar hosted by regional transmission authorities, data centers were called a “major challenge” for the energy industry, as well as extreme weather. Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:34:52 GMT /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-08-26/energy-demand-from-data-centers-growing-faster-than-west-can-supply-experts-say Alex Baumhardt Federal utility seeks dismissal from lawsuits claiming its actions ignited a 2020 wildfire /law-and-justice/2024-08-12/federal-utility-seeks-dismissal-from-lawsuits-claiming-its-actions-ignited-a-2020-wildfire The Bonneville Power Administration has filed a motion to be dismissed from three federal lawsuits related to 2020′s Holiday Farm Fire, which devastated Blue River and several other communities east of Eugene, Oregon. Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:31:41 GMT /law-and-justice/2024-08-12/federal-utility-seeks-dismissal-from-lawsuits-claiming-its-actions-ignited-a-2020-wildfire Brian Bull Residents of Talent confused and frustrated with power outages /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-07-10/residents-of-talent-confused-and-frustrated-with-power-outages While Pacific Power says elevated fire risk settings are an effort to prevent wildfires, many residents are wondering why Talent has been so affected. Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:16:35 GMT /environment-energy-and-transportation/2024-07-10/residents-of-talent-confused-and-frustrated-with-power-outages Erik Neumann Oregon’s electric grid powers through record-breaking heat /weather/2024-07-10/oregons-electric-grid-powers-through-record-breaking-heat Utilities recommend conserving energy during the hottest hours of the day, in part to help lessen strain on the state’s power grid. Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:05:29 GMT /weather/2024-07-10/oregons-electric-grid-powers-through-record-breaking-heat Kyra Buckley