Bill Powers

• Utility spending breakdowns: Billions directed toward undergrounding, covered conductors, and drone assessments vs. underinvestment in lower-cost, high-value measures like microgrids, solar + storage, and advanced protection systems.
• PG&E’s wildfire strategies: Heavy reliance on tree-cutting and power shutoffs, while aging powerlines — the primary ignition source — remain largely unaddressed.
• Community perspectives: Real-world experiences from rural customers dealing with unsafe shutoffs, degraded quality of life, and the impacts of mass tree removals.
• Legislative and regulatory advocacy: Ongoing efforts to influence state and federal wildfire legislation, reform PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plans, and challenge the CPUC’s role as a “captured” regulator.
• Local government action: Pushing counties, like Santa Cruz, to renegotiate outdated Franchise Agreements with PG&E to strengthen community protections.
• How does this proposal impact electricity costs for Californians?
• What threats does it pose to California’s clean energy goals?
• How can CACE members and stakeholders take action?

• Key solar-related bills moving through the legislature (featuring Cailey Underhill, Solar Rights Alliance)
• The latest on the Net Energy Metering (NEM) court case (with Loretta Lynch, Lawyer and former CPUC President)
• Public power efforts in San Diego and the push for local solar (from Bill Powers, Energy Engineer in San Diego)
• Community solar updates and on-the-ground lessons from California’s first small, multi-sited project (shared by Genaro Bugarin, Director at a Community Energy Coalition)

In 2023, San Diego Gas & Electric made a profit of $936 million.  Given rate cases already pending, not to mention the egregious "Utility Tax" that will add another $30-70/ month to every single ratepayer bill, is it any wonder...

This month's call featured featuring Bill Powers, of the Protect Our Communities Foundation.  Bill is an expert on the topic of transmission costs, one who has been active in confronting this issue in San Diego and in forging solutions focused...