Fresno has come up with a temporary fix for delivering electricity to new developments when PG&E fails to provide timely hook-ups.

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.”

Generators Limited to 90 Days Use

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.

Exploring Energy Alternative

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.)