Published
3 months agoon
Fresno has come up with a temporary fix for delivering electricity to new developments when PG&E fails to provide timely hook-ups.
“These changes will aid commercial uses and help some homebuilders who are in limbo as they await power.” — Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
Mayor Jerry Dyer announced that the city will allow generators to provide the energy until power from PG&E is available.
Dyer, some members of the city council, and developers have loudly complained about PG&E’s delays in powering up new developments.
For example, when a finished home can’t be supplied with power, the new homeowners sometimes lose the “lock-in” on their interest rates. And that can cause mortgage payments to go up.
In addition, the timing of a family’s move is delayed, forcing them to extend their temporary living quarters and delay their children’s transition into new schools.
“Given delays in electrifying local building projects, I felt it was imperative that the City step up to help by allowing generator power on a temporary basis in residential model homes and certain commercial developments,” said Dyer said in a news release last week. “These changes will aid commercial uses and help some homebuilders who are in limbo as they await power.”
The new city policy will allow temporary power for new construction, as well as altered or modified buildings. Generators will be approved as part of the permit process, the city said, but can only be used for up to 90 days.
PG&E says supply chain issues and labor shortages are making it a challenge to turn the power on in new neighborhoods and buildings.
Related Story: Will City Jettison PG&E? Decision Will Have to Wait.
The city is in the process of seeking a consultant that will research the possibility of the city providing power to residents and businesses. When the consultant is chosen and the report released, it could help answer what the model might look like and whether it would provide lower bills for ratepayers vs. PG&E.
A vote to hire the consultant was delayed by the city council in November. However, the Dyer administration moved forward after determining it didn’t need council approval to hire a consultant.
(Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is is president and CEO of Granville Homes.)
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email