I respectfully, but strongly, take issue with Mr. Whitehair’s statement that with current rebates and tax credits, heat pumps are affordable for all (letter to the editor, “Electricity can be cheaper than gas” in the Jan. 30 edition of the Daily Journal). For those families with incomes that can’t quite cover the costs of their housing, their food or other monthly essentials, heat pumps are probably not high on their list of necessities. Neither is the capture of significant tax credits. The pumps are clearly not affordable to all.
PG&E has recently passed on another significant electrical rate increase, and there is no indication that this will be the last one. Moreover, it seems to me that the company has its hands full providing uninterrupted electrical service to its customers. Putting more demand on the ability of PG&E to provide even more demand on its services makes no sense to me at this time.
Greenhouse gases are clearly a significant issue that require our best thinking to mitigate; however, let’s be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater by creating even more economic problems for those least able to afford them ... pun intended.
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Breaux. When the government needs to rely on taking money from the poor and giving to the rich, you know there’s a problem. Meanwhile, everyone knows electricity doesn’t grow on trees and more fossil-fuels will be used to address increased demand caused by electrification.
There's also the issue of not having the transmission lines to support an all electric economy. Sacramento has been very quiet about who is going to pay for it.
Ed - that cost is baked into the revenue recovery system that the CPUC approved a long time ago. All utilities will enhance their systems, under their franchise agreements, but all costs will be passed on to the rate payers. We will pay dearly for those infrastructure improvements. Of course the Greenies try to ignore that because very few homes and businesses would convert if the owners knew the real life-cycle cost. Don't let the Mr. Whitehairs of the world mislead you.
The problem is not the cost of the heat pump itself; it's the added costs to revamp ducts and electrical panels in older homes that makes it expensive and negates any savings. Then add to that PGE is INCREASING electric rates. Unless you have solar generating unused KwH, heat pumps don't pencil out.
Mr. Breaux, Thank you for your letter. I also feel that our Government is putting the "Cart before the Horse" by relying on blue sky data and promises. I would love a green world, but at this time we need to make sure our Grid is 100% reliable and affordable for all that require it. Updating the requirement for all electric should be done in steps. Start with making all new construction electric only and then allow older properties to replace and utilize more efficient gas appliances like Tankless Water Heaters, 95%+ Furnaces. Then set more long term goals for moving forward with electric goals. I personally have solar with backup batteries which I have had to use over the past few years. Not everyone can afford to this. So, let us all work together to create a solution to leave our children a better community and world.
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Thanks for your letter, Mr. Breaux. When the government needs to rely on taking money from the poor and giving to the rich, you know there’s a problem. Meanwhile, everyone knows electricity doesn’t grow on trees and more fossil-fuels will be used to address increased demand caused by electrification.
There's also the issue of not having the transmission lines to support an all electric economy. Sacramento has been very quiet about who is going to pay for it.
Ed - that cost is baked into the revenue recovery system that the CPUC approved a long time ago. All utilities will enhance their systems, under their franchise agreements, but all costs will be passed on to the rate payers. We will pay dearly for those infrastructure improvements. Of course the Greenies try to ignore that because very few homes and businesses would convert if the owners knew the real life-cycle cost. Don't let the Mr. Whitehairs of the world mislead you.
The problem is not the cost of the heat pump itself; it's the added costs to revamp ducts and electrical panels in older homes that makes it expensive and negates any savings. Then add to that PGE is INCREASING electric rates. Unless you have solar generating unused KwH, heat pumps don't pencil out.
Mr. Breaux, Thank you for your letter. I also feel that our Government is putting the "Cart before the Horse" by relying on blue sky data and promises. I would love a green world, but at this time we need to make sure our Grid is 100% reliable and affordable for all that require it. Updating the requirement for all electric should be done in steps. Start with making all new construction electric only and then allow older properties to replace and utilize more efficient gas appliances like Tankless Water Heaters, 95%+ Furnaces. Then set more long term goals for moving forward with electric goals. I personally have solar with backup batteries which I have had to use over the past few years. Not everyone can afford to this. So, let us all work together to create a solution to leave our children a better community and world.
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