Latest news with #utilitybills
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Date determined for first public information session of NB Power review
The first public information session for the review of NB Power has been scheduled. The session will be held on Wednesday via Zoom and can accommodate up to 5,000 participants, on a first-come, first-served basis. First announced in April, the review will be led by energy infrastructure and investment executive Michael Bernstein, lawyer and former privacy commissioner Anne E. Bertrand and utility expert Duncan Hawthorne. The trio will be responsible for gathering and analyzing data, speaking with members of the public, and developing recommendations for the utility moving forward based on their findings. 'This comprehensive review is a great opportunity to truly learn a great deal more about NB Power and, specifically, how well it is positioning itself for the future,' said Bertrand in a news release from the New Brunswick government. The province says the session will be recorded and made available on the review website. 'While participants will not have access to audio comments or video during the sessions, people are welcome to ask questions via the chat feature. Simultaneous translation will be provided,' reads the release. Details about future sessions will be shared in the weeks ahead, according to the government. The call for the review comes as utility bills continue to rise steeply across New Brunswick. The team leads say any recommendations made following the review will be heavily influenced by the voices and opinions of NB Power customers. New Brunswickers can share questions or concerns related to the review by emailing NBPReview-ExamenENB@ Final recommendations and any decisions related to the review aren't expected until March 2026. With files from CTV Atlantic's Avery MacRae. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kotek signs POWER Act to shield Oregonians from Big Tech utility bills
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Gov. Tina Kotek has signed the Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (POWER) Act into law, effectively in the state. Now, thanks to , companies with facilities such as data centers or cryptocurrency operations will be held responsible for their utility bills. Woman dead, 3 teens seriously injured in Hwy 26 crash Kyle Herrig with Unlocking America's Future said the POWER Act is accountability. 'Hard-working Oregon families who earn their paychecks and pay their bills each month shouldn't have to subsidize the massive energy consumption of for-profit data centers through higher utility bills,' Herrig said. Kotek's signature means there will be a separate pricing system for energy users who demand more than 20 megawatts, or roughly the same usage as a small city, according to the Democratic Majority Office. Rep. Janelle Bynum questioned at town hall after 'gratitude to law enforcement,' ICE vote The Democratic lawmakers note that industrial users currently pay about eight cents a kilowatt hour, while households are charged more than double the rate at 19.6 cents per kilowatt hour. 'The bill helps protect everyday users, like families and small businesses, from paying the costs that big businesses are running up,' said , who co-sponsored the POWER Act. 'Household budgets are stretched far enough as they are. They shouldn't be covering corporate costs, too.' However, that the bill would discourage tech companies from growing their presence in Oregon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Tips for lowering your energy costs as summer temperatures rise
Here's how the CBS News price tracker helps you save on everything from gas to groceries With weather forecasts showing above-normal temperatures throughout the country this summer, heat-weary Americans will soon likely be turning up their air conditioners for relief. But that comfort will come at a cost. Home electricity bills are expected to reach their highest average rate in 12 years, at $784 for the summer period, according to a recent analysis from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). The elevated cost comes as a one-two punch for families already financially strapped after this winter season's higher-than-average heating costs. Those most impacted by higher summer utility bills will be lower-income households, which often lack the resources to cover monthly payments. About one in four households say they can't pay their energy bills, according to the most recent Census Household Pulse Survey. The stakes for keeping cool are high. "Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year," according to the National Weather Service. Higher temperatures can lead to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat waves are already hitting parts of the U.S. like Texas. As Mayo Clinic points out, unexpected fluctuations in the temperature often catch people off guard. For those looking for relief from high temperatures and high bills, experts offer helpful suggestions. "There are simple things to do," said Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA. "You can do them now, and they pay off." Here are tips to reduce your energy costs as summer heats up. Low-hanging fruit As a starting point, Americans can tackle low-hanging fruit options, like using a fan in place of, or in addition to an AC. Fans use far less electricity than air conditioners and are priced more reasonably, whether you're looking for a box fan, a pedestal fan or another model. For those with ceiling fans there's a hack for staying extra cool. Experts recommend setting ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise during summer months, as doing so pushes warm air down and keeps a cool breeze going. In the fall and winter, rotation should be switched back to clockwise so that as warm air rises, it's circulated throughout the room, said Laurie Wheelock, executive director and counsel at New York's Utility Project (PULP). If you use an AC, make sure to change the air filter regularly. Wolfe recommends replacing AC filters monthly during the summer, to help units run more efficiently. For those who plan to keep their unit running during the day, you can set it to a few degrees higher before you leave your home to conserve energy. Wolfe advises setting your AC temperature between 70°F and 78°F when you are at home, and 78°F when the house is empty. Other small adjustments to keep your space cool include using indoor plants to create shade, keeping your curtains closed to block out the sunlight during the day, investing in reflective blinds or UV-reflective film for windows. Also, limit your oven use and make sure to turn it off right after using it, as it can warm up your space significantly, said Wolfe. For general energy conservation, experts suggest unplugging small appliances or electronics when you're not using them. Wolfe also recommends running your refrigerator and freezer at the regular temperature as directed by the manufacturer. "Running them at cooler temperatures might seem like a good idea in the summer, but that can drive up electricity costs and potentially wear out the electrical appliance," he said. Also, make sure nothing is blocking the airflow of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Plant life or other obstacles in front of vents can make units less efficient, Wolfe noted. Look to your state or utility company for help While it may seem counter-intuitive, your utility company may be able to help you bear the cost burden of higher bills. "Some utilities run programs to help make your home more energy efficient in the summer," said Wolfe. "They'll offer rebates if you buy more efficient air conditioners, no-cost audits of your home, and they'll subsidize the cost of installing more insulation." In New York, for example, energy giants ConEd and National Grid have monthly discount programs that provide bill credits to low-income households. Wheelock said PULP has seen ConEd customers save $30 to $45 per month on gas an electricity as part of New York's Energy Affordability program, which is administered by the state's major electric and natural gas utilities. State governments can also be a useful resource. Depending on where you live, your local government may offer free home energy assessments, weatherization assistance or an energy efficiency program designs to help residents lower their electricity bill. For those struggling to make ends meet, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded initiative with a network of state-run programs, provides financial assistance to low-income households. HEAP provides eligible households, including apartments, with air conditioning units or fans, up to a value of $800, according to WE ACT for Environment Justice, a New York-based environmental justice organization. "Anyone at risk of service termination who is low-income should contact their local Department of Social Services to discuss financial assistance programs including Emergency Energy Assistance," said Wheelock. Invest in long-term solutions With hotter temperatures here to stay, Wolfe said it may be worth investing in more permanent measures like improving your home's insulation or updating your ductwork. This will improve ventilation, keep cold air locked in and make your home more energy efficient overall. Another option is installing a smart thermostat, which allows you to remotely control the temperature of your space. They can also automatically adjust heating and cooling based on when you're home. Models like Ecobee's Smart Thermostat Essential or Google's Nest Smart Learning Thermostat typically run anywhere from $100 to $200. These investments may cost more upfront but will save you money over time, says Wolfe. "In making your home more energy efficient, the savings will pay for the improvements," he said. For those ready to make an even bigger leap, installing a heat pump, switching to central air or upgrading your HVAC or AC system to one with a high Energy Star rating are other long-term investments. Something to keep in mind before you make any of these purchases is whether electricity in your state is high enough to warrant the investment. "If you're in like the northeast using heating oil, heat pumps make a lot of sense," said Wolfe. Even before you buy a home, it's worth investigating what the energy bills will look like. You can do this by getting an energy audit from a utility company, said Wolfe.
CBS News
31-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New Jersey state senator introduces bills to combat high energy costs
A New Jersey state senator has introduced a series of bills to combat high energy costs as utility companies plan rate hikes that will increase bills as much as 20%. Sen. Britnee Timberlake held a press conference Friday, saying her constituents tell her they're being forced out of their homes because of high utility bills. "You have to account for the cost to heat and cool the home ... and these utility companies need to be stopped," she said. "People need the relief now" Timberlake says the Board of Public Utilities approved raising electricity rates by 17-20% starting in June. The Democrat is introducing a series of bills that in part call for a study of what she refers to as private companies that are monopolies, going back to 2020 energy levels, and placing a 2% cap on rate hikes every five years. "It needs to be fast-tracked because people need the relief now," Timberlake said. PSE&G said in a statement that the company "works hard to keep customer bills as low as possible while providing safe and reliable energy." They added both the demand for energy and cost are rising, and utility companies like PSE&G don't profit on the 17% increase. Timberlake's bills have made it through the Legislature. It remains to be seen if Gov. Phil Murphy or a future governor would sign them. CBS News New York reached out to the Board of Public Utilities but has not heard back. New Jersey residents describe difficult costs Tabetha Bassit, with Echoes Inc., says it costs $2,000 a month to light up her counseling center and the neighboring funeral home. "The more we absorb these costs, it creates a difficulty for us to offer free counseling," she said. East Orange resident Rev. Ella Johnson said her utility bill, which includes gas and electric, is out of control. "I have been a widow for 11 years, and it's not easy trying to maintain a home," East Orange resident Rev. Ella Johnson said. "The bills are not easy to pay because they can run anywhere from close to $600 in the month of January, and it gradually comes down." The 85-year-old wants to stay in the home she's been in for 56 years but says it's getting more difficult. "It is terrifying ... because not only do I have this to take care of, but I have other things to take care of as well," she said.
Jordan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
The expensive green delusion
Ask families in Germany and the UK what happens when more and more supposedly cheap solar and wind power is added to the national power mix, and they can tell you by looking at their utility bills: it gets far more expensive. This goes against everything that we're being told. Green energy is supposed to be incredibly cheap. But we're not hearing the real story. The idea that power should get cheaper as we get more green energy is only true if we exclusively used electricity when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. But modern societies need power around-the-clock. When there is no sun and wind, green energy needs plenty of back-up, often powered by fossil fuels. What this means is that we pay for not one but two power systems. And as the back-up fossil fuel power sources are used less, they need to earn their capital costs back in fewer hours, leading to even more expensive power. This means real energy costs of solar and wind are far higher. One study looking at China showed that the real cost of solar power on average turns out to be twice as high as coal, while a peer-reviewed study of Germany and Texas shows solar and wind are many times more expensive than fossil fuels. Germany and the UK now have so much low-cost solar and wind that their electricity costs have become among the world's most expensive. The latest data from the International Energy Agency makes it clear that there is a strong and clear correlation between more solar and wind and much higher average energy prices for households and industries. In a country with little or no solar and wind, the average electricity cost is a bit over 11US¢ per kWh. For every 10 percentage points of solar and wind, the cost increases by more than 4US¢. The results are nearly similar for 2019, before any impacts of Covid and the Ukraine war. Look at Germany, where 34US¢ per kWh means over twice the US cost and nearly four times the Chinese price. Germany has installed so much solar and wind that at full capacity, it could produce two-times Germany's electricity demand. In reality, on days with plenty of wind and sun, renewable energy produces close to 70 per cent of Germany's needs. Such days get excited press attention. The press hardly mentions the days that are dark and still, when solar and wind deliver almost nothing. Twice this winter, when all of Europe was cloudy and nearly windless, solar and wind delivered less than 4 per cent of the daily power Germany needed. Battery technology can't cope: Germany's entire battery storage runs out in about twenty minutes. That leaves more than twenty-three hours of energy that needs to be powered mostly by fossil fuels. The result: during these lulls, Germany saw some of the costliest power prices, with wholesale prices reaching a phenomenal $1 per kWh. At least climate-enthused governments in Europe are generally honest about these costs because electricity prices include most of the solar and wind costs, so consumers feel the impact of green energy policies. However, in the US, solar and wind costs are paid indirectly through tax deductions, implying that the actual cost of electricity with solar and wind is perhaps 25% higher than stated prices. Poor countries are especially hurt by the lie of cheap green energy. Rich countries now refuse to help poor countries with fossil fuel projects. If solar and wind really were cheaper, the world's poorer countries would have an inexpensive way to leapfrog from today's energy poverty to energy abundance. New energy infrastructure would all be solar and wind. Yet, this only happens in rich countries, where electricity consumption is declining, while generous subsidies and a large, existing fossil fuel backup infrastructure make our solar and wind deception possible. Instead, across poorer countries, where electricity consumption rose almost 5 per cent from 2022 to 2023, most of the addition came from fossil fuels, with coal contributing more than all solar and wind additions. In China, there was more new coal than new solar and wind. Bangladesh added 13-times more coal than solar and wind. Despite India's ambitious solar targets, its coal additions were three times larger than solar and wind additions. This is the background to the US bribery accusations of the Indian billionaire Gautam Adani: Since most Indian states don't want to 'risk 'intermittent' renewables' according to Reuters, he allegedly had to massively bribe government officials to buy power from his $6 billion solar project. We will only fix climate change and make a transition when green energy truly becomes cheaper than fossil fuels. Investment in green energy research and development, for example, to develop fourth-generation nuclear and much cheaper batteries, should be our priority. But mostly, we need to face up to the truth. The claim that cheap solar and wind is taking over from fossil fuels is a dangerous, expensive lie. Bjorn Lomborg is President of the Copenhagen Consensus, Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, and author of "False Alarm" and "Best Things First"
