Comments on: California Energy Leadership: Leading the Race to the Bottom

By: nishith

nishith — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:54:12 +0000

I oppose CAFTA because it is a step backward for workers in Central America and a job killer here at home...Democrats understand the need to help our Central American neighbors reap the benefits of increased trade, but the costs of this CAFTA are too high with too little to justify this agreementâ€™s deficiencies.

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NISHITH

California Alcohol Addiction Treatment

By: Neo-Libertarian

Neo-Libertarian — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:04:01 +0000

To add to Roger and Scott's comments re California air conditioning - here in the SF Bay Area most apartments still do NOT come with air conditioning at all. The bay and the ocean generally keep things cool in conjunction with a nice, sun-dampening fog and even summer temperatures stay in a range considered chilly anywhere else. It also doesn't snow in the most densely-populated parts of California, because even though it seems like it's far enough north for it to snow in Sacramento or the Bay Area, it usually doesn't.

So right there you have several million people never using A/C and tens of millions (at least two-thirds of the state, if not over four-fifths) whose heating bills rarely if ever contend with snow and ice. I think Warren's industrial explanation clearly could explain a much larger chunk of the state's supposed accomplishment, but perhaps the fair climate of California has an additional contribution to make here (at least pertaining to any residential efficiency).

Also, ditto on the slammin' Mexican food here. That and the climate almost make the abusive bureaucracy, agressively self-entitled public unions and the confiscatory taxes worth it.

By: m

Tue, 06 May 2008 05:47:02 +0000

Of the three investor-owned utilities in California, Sempra Energy subsidiary San Diego Gas & Electric is by far the furthest behind in attaining California’s renewable energy portfolio standard (5.3% compliance versus 11.9% for Pacific Gas & Electric and 16.1% for Southern California Edison. source: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/electric/RenewableEnergy/progress.htm).

Sempra’s CEO also does not believe in global warming (source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20060618-9999-lz1b18sempra.html). He has since toned down his public statements to say that the evidence on global warming is inconclusive and he will do what is in the best interest of his shareholders but I’ll continue to judge him by his original statement.

Based on these contrarian indicators, Sempra might not be a bad investment.

By: Scott Wiggins

Scott Wiggins — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:39:40 +0000

Comment from a California Real Estate developer circa 1900. “We’re not selling land, we’re selling the weather. We just throw the land in for free.” California has some of the most temperate weather in the country. No surprise if they show low per capita energy usage. I owned a house is Orange county without air-conditioning. Most homes in the area did not have AC. This came as a big surprise to a young man from the deep south where we get 95 degree temps and 95% humidity on a fairly regular basis. In the south, AC is considered as essential as iced tea…

By: Roger

Roger — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:17:00 +0000

Air conditioning make a big difference. The house I grew up in (in CA) had a swamp cooler which uses as much energy as a ceiling fan. And much of the Sacramento area has it’s own giant swamp cooler a.k.a. the California Delta. Also 105 degrees in California is way better than 95 in Virginia. The mild weather is a big reason people stay in Cali despite the high high cost of living–that and Mexican food.

By: Nobrainer

Nobrainer — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:39:41 +0000

Regarding the last couple sentences, it could be well argued that many states, particularly in the Southeast, regulate their prices downward. In particular, rates are fixed, or relatively fixed, such that they don’t accurately account for fuel price fluctuations. However, you premise is still valid.