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Tacoma is taking a significant step towards affordable housing by proposing waivers for system development charges, but there's a catch—non-utility funds are needed to make it happen!

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#TacomaPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousingIncentives #UtilityReform
Committee directs staff to draft ordinances authorizing SDC waivers for qualifying affordable housing
Staff recommended, and the committee agreed, to draft three ordinances (water, stormwater, wastewater) authorizing system development charge waivers for qualifying affordable‑housing projects—contingent on securing non‑utility funds such as the state CHIP grant to reimburse utilities.
citizenportal.ai
November 9, 2026 at 9:01 AM
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Maryland's latest energy report reveals a staggering 893,000 metric tons of GHG reductions, but is the spending of $250 million on EMPOWER programs delivering real results?

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#MD #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityInitiatives #ClimateAction #UtilityReform #MarylandEnergy
MEA: Empower shows measurable GHG reductions but performance varies across utilities
Maryland Energy Administration told the commission the first half of 2026 shows measurable life‑cycle GHG reductions (~893,000 metric tons) and $250 million spending across five utilities, but highlighted program underperformance in specific offerings and urged careful affordability analysis and a 7‑year EUL option.
citizenportal.ai
October 29, 2026 at 9:42 PM
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A bold proposal could save 244,000 legacy thermostat customers from being dropped by utilities, while empowering them with ownership and affordability options.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #MarylandThermostats #CustomerEngagement #EnergyEfficiency
Third‑party solicitation proposed to retain 244,000 legacy thermostat participants
RISA (Bridal) proposed the commission authorize a competitive solicitation so third‑party aggregators can convert hundreds of thousands of legacy customer thermostats that utilities plan to release, arguing the move would retain capacity and save ratepayer funds.
citizenportal.ai
October 28, 2026 at 9:40 AM
citizenptnewsco.bsky.social
The Gunnison City Council is set to discuss a budget proposal that could reshape local services, relying heavily on reserves and featuring significant utility rate increases.

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#GunnisonCityGunnisonCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #BudgetTransparency
Gunnison City Council asked to review $49.6 million proposed 2027 budget
The Gunnison City Council is scheduled to discuss a $49.6 million proposed 2027 budget on Oct. 27, 2026. The staff report from City Manager Amanda Wilson and Finance Director Ben Cowan calls for using $1.2 million in reserves, utility rate increases, targeted capital grants and a $200,000 economic development investment.
citizenportal.ai
October 26, 2026 at 7:11 AM
citizenptnewsar.bsky.social
West Memphis City Council made headlines by approving new utility ordinances, launching a transit service, and securing a $2.3 million donation for local schools!

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#WestMemphisCrittendenCounty #AR #CitizenPortal #WestMemphisSchools #UtilityReform #CommunityTransit
West Memphis council approves utility and licensing ordinances, launches transit service and clears $2.3M Google gift for schools
The City Council approved multiple ordinances on sewer and water fees, moved to authorize a liquor-license application for Miller Brook Country Club, heard committee reports, celebrated the launch of West Memphis Connect bus service, and voted to accept a time-sensitive $2.3 million Google donation for the West Memphis School District.
citizenportal.ai
October 20, 2026 at 1:27 AM
energysolutions.bsky.social
Beyond the Rate Base: Reimagining Utility Success #PJM #EnergyGrid #UtilityReform #DataCenter #GridModernization #InfrastructureFail
Beyond the Rate Base: Reimagining Utility Success - Cozzy Energy Solutions
The rate-base business model for utilities is proving problematic, as it incentivizes construction over problem-solving, according to recent analysis. This approach results in an expensive and vulnerable power grid, and the rapid growth of data centers is highlighting its limitations. The traditional cost-of-service regulation model allows utilities to earn returns on new infrastructure like power
cozzyenergysolutions.com
October 19, 2026 at 4:48 AM
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The Michigan Public Service Commission just approved a landmark $33 million annual rate increase for SemcoGas, paving the way for an ambitious main-replacement program starting in 2027!

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#MI #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureInvestment #PublicAccountability #UtilityReform
MPSC adopts SemcoGas settlement, authorizes rate increase and main‑replacement program
The commission approved a settlement in SemcoGas’s general rate case (U-22002) that authorizes a $33 million annual increase, advances a main‑replacement program to 37 miles per year starting in 2027, and requires progress reporting and a technical conference.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 3:31 PM
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As PSE's CEO prepares to pocket over $9 million, frustrated residents demand a shift to public utility districts to ease their soaring bills.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #AffordableEnergy #UtilityReform #CorporateAccountability
Commenters link PSE profits and executive pay to unaffordable bills; several urge PUD conversion
Speakers repeatedly cited executive pay and dividends while urging conversion to public utility districts (PUDs) or requiring shareholders to absorb more costs instead of residential ratepayers.
citizenportal.ai
October 9, 2026 at 6:02 AM
citizenptnewsct.bsky.social
PURA is demanding a detailed reconciliation of interconnection charges and supporting documents from GB 2 New Haven—what will the company reveal about those refunds?

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#CT #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #UtilityReform #RegulatoryCompliance
PURA staff seeks reconciliations for interconnection charges; asks company for spreadsheet and invoices
PURA staff questioned GB 2 New Haven on interconnection operating expense lines and requested an Excel reconciliation and supporting UI invoices as late‑filed exhibits to verify how refunds were flowed into the AFRR.
citizenportal.ai
October 9, 2026 at 2:54 AM
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Mesa is proposing significant changes to water rates, including a drought surcharge hike and new charges to promote conservation—what does this mean for your monthly bill?

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#MesaMaricopaCounty #AZ #CitizenPortal #DroughtCharges #UtilityReform #WaterConservation #MesaWaterRates
Mesa staff propose drought surcharge hike and two-tier excess charges in water rate package
City staff proposed a 3.5% service-charge adjustment for FY26/27, raised the drought commodity charge from $0.08 to $0.13 per 1,000 gallons, and introduced a two-tier excess surcharge to target highest-use commercial and landscape customers, while staff emphasized conservation programs for HOAs.
citizenportal.ai
October 7, 2026 at 4:09 PM
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Milwaukee advocates are pushing for a bold shift to public power, arguing that a municipally owned utility could lower rates and accelerate clean energy investment.

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#MilwaukeeMilwaukeeCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicAccountability #UtilityReform #MilwaukeePublicUtilities
Advocates press for feasibility study on replacing We Energies with public utility
Speakers urged the council to fund a feasibility study under Wisconsin statute chapter 197 to evaluate municipal public ownership of electric service, saying public power could lower rates and support climate goals.
citizenportal.ai
October 7, 2026 at 4:50 AM
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Consumer advocates are pushing for critical safeguards in Maryland's utility procurement process to protect ratepayers from hidden risks and inflated costs.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #MarylandConsumerAdvocacy #UtilityReform #ProcurementIntegrity
People's Counsel and consultants urge thresholds, sensitivity analysis and independent evaluation
The Office of People's Counsel and supporting consultants told the commission utility ownership carries risks for ratepayers and recommended minimum screening requirements, independent evaluators for procurements involving utilities, and sensitivity analysis so scoring does not mask legal feasibility or consumer protections.
citizenportal.ai
October 2, 2026 at 6:35 PM
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Congresswoman Lori Trahan is urging Congress to take swift action on AI safety and protect families from rising utility costs linked to data centers.

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#MA #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #CyberSecurity #CivicAccountability
Congresswoman Lori Trahan urges Congress to advance AI oversight and backs Ratepayer Protection Act
Hosts reported Rep. Lori Trahan joined a bipartisan call for immediate congressional action on AI safety and supports the Ratepayer Protection Act to prevent data-center costs from being passed to families; the matter moves to the Senate for consideration, the show said.
citizenportal.ai
October 2, 2026 at 11:11 AM
citizenptnewsva.bsky.social
Public commenters are rallying for a shift in RGGI costs back to utilities, highlighting its potential for not just immediate bill relief but also long-term equity and resilience for low-income Virginians.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #EquityInitiatives #UtilityReform #ClimatePolicy
Conservation and municipal groups urge shifting more RGGI costs to utilities; advocates stress benefits to low‑income Virginians
During public comment, conservation groups urged policy options that would place more cost burden on utilities and prioritize long‑term investments; municipal power representatives asked to be included in bill‑credit rules; poverty advocates described direct household benefits from RGGI‑funded programs.
citizenportal.ai
September 26, 2026 at 11:39 AM
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The Public Service Commission has approved a groundbreaking water-sharing plan between Potosi and Tennyson that could save residents millions while ensuring customer protection.

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#WI #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability
Public Service Commission approves Potosi–Tennyson water‑sharing plan with conditions
The Public Service Commission voted to approve a joint application allowing the villages of Potosi and Tennyson to share a 150,000‑gallon storage tank and related services, granting conditional approval that requires joint reporting and oversight to protect ratepayers.
citizenportal.ai
September 24, 2026 at 1:28 AM
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Council members faced a pivotal moment as public testimony highlighted both praise for equity advancements in energy agreements and urgent concerns that low-income renters might miss out on critical benefits.

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#PaulCityRamseyCounty #MN #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform
Public comments praise franchise equity changes; residents urge fixes so renters aren't left out
Public testimony at Xcel Energy franchise hearings praised provisions that return franchise-fee revenue to low-income programs but flagged gaps that may exclude many renters; council laid the franchise measures over to Sept. 23 for final adoption after staff follow-up was requested.
citizenportal.ai
September 23, 2026 at 12:46 AM
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Newport East is set to unveil a game-changing stormwater utility plan that promises transparency and separate charges, but residents will have to wait until next July for the final details.

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#NewportEastNewportCounty #RI #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #CivicTransparency
City staff outline plan to separate stormwater charges and seek enabling ordinance
City utilities staff proposed creating a dedicated stormwater fee based on parcel impervious area (ERUs), said an enabling ordinance will go to council in October, and warned that no bills will be issued until QA/QC, appeals and billing tests are complete.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM
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As utility rates soar with double-digit increases looming, residents may face tough choices ahead in Lake Forest Park's budget planning.

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#LakeForestParkKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LakeForestParkUtilityRates #BudgetPressures #UtilityReform #CommunitySupport
Council warned of rising utility costs as budget season begins
Deputy Mayor reported utility agencies are proposing double-digit rate increases (examples: SPU water +4%, wastewater +5.5%, Seattle City Light +9.5%, PSE electricity +15.2%), adding pressure to the city's 2027 budget.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 3:23 AM
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The Grand Forks County Commission just approved a $132,443.55 loan to the City of Amarillo to help tackle water project bills, setting the stage for a unique repayment plan involving utility fees!

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#GrandForksCounty #ND #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #CivicAccountability
Commission signs loan agreement with City of Amarillo to cover water-project bills
The commission approved a loan to the City of Amarillo to cover past water-project bills, quoting a loan amount of $132,443.55, a pledged $14.50 monthly utility fee and a 4.5-year repayment plan with the first year deferred.
citizenportal.ai
September 16, 2026 at 4:43 PM
energysolutions.bsky.social
Abbott's Plan to Dissolve City Electric Companies: What’s at Stake? #ERCOT #TexasEnergy #ElectricityRates #AbbottProposal #PowerGrid #UtilityReform
Abbott’s Plan to Dissolve City Electric Companies: What’s at Stake? - Cozzy Energy Solutions
Governor Abbott Proposes Dissolving City-Owned Electric Companies Austin and San Antonio officials are warning that a proposal by Governor Greg Abbott to dissolve city-owned electric companies could lead to higher electricity rates and significant costs for residents. The proposal, introduced last month during an election cycle focused on affordability, aims to introduce competition into the
cozzyenergysolutions.com
September 11, 2026 at 2:10 AM
citizenptnewsma.bsky.social
The governor's energy affordability bill could save Massachusetts residents a staggering $13 billion over the next decade by reforming utility practices and protecting ratepayers from hidden costs.

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#MA #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #UtilityReform #EnergyAffordability
Governor pushes legislature on energy affordability bill, says it will save $13 billion over 10 years
The governor urged lawmakers to pass her energy affordability bill, saying it would save $13,000,000,000 over 10 years by changing how utilities buy electricity and allowing full audits to protect ratepayers.
citizenportal.ai
September 8, 2026 at 9:58 PM
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Pinellas County Utilities is exploring two innovative solutions to tackle the unfair sewer charges impacting small households that irrigate with potable water—will they adjust rates or install new meters?

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#PinellasCounty #FL #WaterBilling #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform
Utilities staff weigh irrigation‑meter installs versus rate adjustments to ease sewer charges
Pinellas County Utilities presented two options to reduce sewer charges for potable irrigation users: rework the sewer rate structure to shift burden, or install separate potable irrigation meters (estimated ~$3,000 each). Staff recommended more data and an AMI/machine‑learning analysis before committing to widespread meter installs.
citizenportal.ai
September 8, 2026 at 10:53 PM
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The staggering costs of cover conductor and undergrounding for fire-prone areas raise crucial questions about their true effectiveness in enhancing circuit reliability.

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#CA #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #FireResilience #InfrastructureSafety
Staff lays out costs and limits of cover conductor and undergrounding as primary hardening strategies
Energy Safety staff presented typical costs and effectiveness for cover conductor and undergrounding, warned that upstream/downstream overhead segments can reduce benefits, and urged standardized, circuit‑level reporting.
citizenportal.ai
September 6, 2026 at 11:35 AM
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Cuba City's electric fund is in jeopardy, prompting council members to swiftly adopt interim customer charges to prevent a financial crisis.

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#CubaCityCrawfordCounty #MO #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #FinancialTransparency #PublicSafety #CubaCityElectricFund
Consultant warns electric fund lacks reserves; council moves to adopt interim customer charges
A consultant told the council the electric fund lacks healthy reserves and recommended interim customer charges while awaiting a full rate study; the council moved to accept proposed residential and commercial customer charges and directed staff to draft ordinance language.
citizenportal.ai
September 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
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Maryland officials are pushing for transformative changes in electric system plans to ensure real benefits for communities, emphasizing the need for clear metrics and accountability in utility performance.

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#MD #MarylandEnergy #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #StakeholderEngagement
Stakeholders, MEA press Commission to link ESPs to cost recovery, set performance metrics
Advocates and the Maryland Energy Administration urged standardization of ESP filings and asked the Commission to explore tying electric system plans to rate‑case recovery or performance incentives, proposing stakeholder workshops and clearer metrics for equity and grid utilization.
citizenportal.ai
August 29, 2026 at 1:52 AM