So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

https://thecoastnews.com/newsom-goes-all-in-on-utility-favoritism/

You missed where I said "or."

Socialism is very different from government regulation and you're missing a key part in this specific issue, it wasn't a free market that allowed this but a heavily regulated (by the government) of a public utility.

ANDREA - you're right. This is outrageous and it should be regulated. I'm not saying otherwise. I was simply pointing out that some complain about "socialism" or "government regulation" then demand lower prices when the market allows increases, like this.

SACJON utilites are supposed to be regulated. They are in most places. Rate hikes have to be approved. These are basic life necessities, like being able to cook and see at night, and to work. The state absolutely should be regulating this. And if they are not then who is buying who to keep quiet? Never in my life have I witnessed utility companies being able to just, with less than a month's notice, more than double the rates without any oversight, process, or approval. SO what gives here?

ANDREA - so now you want our Governor to regulate utility prices? I don't understand. Real capitalism means no regulation, even on utilities.

And, thankfully, the tone of everyone except the carbon industry has taken the sane path of "get rid of fossil fuels".

If throwing out a "nope" or "wrong" to factual statements makes you feel better go for it, it may help your feelings but it doesn't make you right.

VOICE - but you're wrong. Knocking you down a peg is truly a joy for me. This is fun!

Ha, just going to throw out a "nope"... Prices are higher throughout the US, and the policies certainly, like I sad, exacerbated CA's recent nat gas spike (feel free to look up the definition of exacerbate). You're also wrong on the XL pipeline - projected to be complete in 2022 and operational in early 2023, and your inability to grasp economic/business matters is showing if you think cancelling leases that could produce in the future don't impact current prices.

Nope. If those were the reason, other states would be experiencing this, not just CA. In fact, other state' gas prices are plummeting. Also, had he not halted those, they still wouldn't be producing today. It takes a while from the signing of a lease to the gas turning on in your home.

You mean like halting new oil and gas leases on Federal land? Or canceling the Keystone XL pipeline?

SACJON yes capitalism can be a problem but we are talking about utilities here. They are supposed to be regulated. I saw comments on SoCalGas' FB page where people are using blankets and hats and hanging their clothes to dry because they will go broke. How are SCE and the gas Company getting away with this? How are they pushing these rate hikes through with no backlash or government oversight? What is going on here? This isn't some retail establishment that can set their prices, these are NECESSITIES and for those of us who rent and cannot go solar or install heat pumps or whatever, we suffer. Just like how SB Clean Energy got away with opting everyone in with a 2 week window to opt out or get charged more! I still am on their stupid expensive plan and it takes 6 months to get off of it unbeknownst to me, or face SCE "transitional" charges {that is partially my fault for waitin so long to opt out but we had just moved and I started a new job at the time and it slipped off my radar]. Everyone wants to spew their political garbage but yet no one is asking how UTILITIES are getting away with this while we have no recourse? We have to heat our homes and use water? Shall I sit in the dark and take cold showers now? I've already started washing clothes less and in cold water and we hardly keep lights on. It's getting ridiculous now!

VOR keeps misspelling Putin.

Which policies? Name one. Name one Biden initiated policy that made the gas company jack up our prices.

"Biden's policies have certainly exacerbated the problem" - not off topic.

So you admit, complaining about Biden here is offtopic. Yeah, very self aware! Proud of your progress!

While this specific situation between SCE and Sempra certainly smells funny and there have been calls for investigation (see link below), Biden's policies have certainly exacerbated the problem. To deny Biden's energy polies have had a direct and significant negative impact on domestic energy costs (their intended effect) is to deny reality. It makes absolutely zero economic or environmental sense to restrict domestic production while encouraging foreign countries, many with horrible human rights records and environmental controls, to produce and export more to the US. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-watchdog-calls-for-investigation-into-so-cal-gas-natural-price-spikes-points-to-evidence-utility-colluded-with-parent-company-sempra-to-drive-up-price-on-customers-301726179.html

ANDREA (and everyone else) - I apologize for my earlier comment about the increase being nominal and not going to bankrupt anyone, that was tone-deaf.

That said, ANDREA, you're absolutely right. We need to do something, but first we need to all understand this is what capitalism does. Instead of wasting tears on Biden (you know who I'm talking to here), take it up with the corporate thieves who are doing this to us. So much misplaced blame! No wonder we can't ever get anything fixed in this country!

Firewood is an excellent source of heat, and for those who are concerned about it firewood is completely carbon neutral. Firewood is really a form of solar power. Trees harness the sun’s energy to absorb CO2 and turn it into wood. The tree dies and gets burned and the CO2 is returned to the air where it came from and someone gets to enjoy the warmth and the light of its flame.

So just ignore that part about it not meaning we shouldn't cut back on emissions..... typical.

Further, how many of that 1% are "eco warriors?" Simply being a liberal or publicly saying we should address climate change doesn't make one a "warrior." How many of that 1% are gas/oil/coal CEOs?

Again, just because some are hypocritical, doesn't mean you get to throw up your arms and walk away from the problem.

It is absolutely as prevalent as the NY Post and Fox make it sound. Just 1% of people cause 50% of the global aviation C02 emissions. The 1% produce as much emissions as the poorest half (3+ BILLION) poorest people. https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/carbon-emissions-richest-1-percent-more-
double-emissions-poorest-half-humanity https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/private
-jets-can-the-super-rich-supercharge-zero-emission-aviation/ https://www.greenpeace.org/international/ce-delft_co2-emissions-from-private-flights-to-the-world
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VOICE - that IS hypocritical, but it doesn't make the fact that we need to cut back on greenhouse emissions wrong, nor is it as prevalent as the NY Post and Fox make it sound.

The hypocrisy of the elite eco-warriors demanding everyone else do with less to "save the planet" while they fly around in private jets between multiple mansions and their mega-yachts is absolutely astounding.

PDX - thank you for the rational thought.

Bravo!

Anyone who thinks it's possible to end the use of carbon fuels rapidly without drastic negative consequences for the lower and middle class is a "climate shill" tainted by propaganda. And that's just in the United States. If you try and do that globally, which would be required if meaningful change to our planet was the goal, It would create mass famine and political instability, erase all the gains undeveloped countries have made over the past 50 years, and cause more death than a changing climate ever would. Gradual means as more green generation comes online, the dirtiest forms like coal are eliminated. Nat gas, being the cleanest and abundant, is a critically necessary bridge to get there while making significant C02 reeducations without impact the global quality of life. I'm sure this poster @ 10:53 must drive an electric car charged by solar panels on their home, with electric only cooking/heating, forgos the use of plastics and grows their own food (can't have those diesel trucks and farm equipment getting the food to the grocery store) - otherwise just another climate shill spreading FUD.

"Gradually" is the shill word there. We need to end our use of carbon fuels rapidly, as anyone with any knowledge of the subject not tainted by propaganda would be aware. Spread that FUD!

People saying that we should phase out of fossil fuels gradually as renewable resources become more prevalent and reliable doesn’t make a carbon shill. But go on with your buzz words …

Sounds like a much greener and less fossil fuel reliant way to fertilize the ground for farming over the current methods of petrochemical (oil) derived fertilizers or strip mining them from Africa and shipping them to the US: www.ciel.org/reports/fossil-fertilizers/#:~:text=But%20there%20is%20an%20often,driver%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis _and_ https://phys.org/news/2023-01-soil-available-phosphorus-mineral-fertilizers-agricultural.html

Thank you Chip for a good explanation of the Carbon Cycle, that the ignorant might learn something. I would add that the use of biochar DOES sequester Carbon in the ground for centuries or millennia. It also makes the soil more healthy and productive as Humans have known for millennia. (we forget though)

Fun fact on that topic Chip, when we loose weight more than 80% is lost via our lungs in the form of C02.