Summary
The irony contained in wordage on the cover of the card should be obvious: "Opting out of the Marin Energy Authority keeps your options open." How staying with PG&E would keep a customer's options open never gets explained in the opt-out notice. On the reverse of the mailer, in the first of three bullet points, the mailer says the Marin Energy Authority (MEA) "isn't asking anyone's permission" and plans to "automatically take control" of electric supply. The opt-out notice on which that statement is written is part of a mandated process designed to ensure customers get a fair opportunity to stay with PG&E rather than go with Marin Clean Energy, which is the first program for the MEA joint powers agency.
The second bullet point states that the Marin Energy Authority doesn't guarantee lower rates than PG&E. While that may be technically true, Marin Clean Energy has repeatedly pledged to meet or beat PG&E rates while supplying 25 percent renewable power. The bullet point also states that according to "Marin's own 'independent assessment'" of the Marin Clean Energy plan, Marin Clean Energy prices could be higher than PG&E's rates. That statement ignores the meet-or-beat pledge.The opt-out card's third bullet point deserves scrutiny. The utility company claims that Marin Clean Energy "isn't promising a more environmentally responsible energy mix," and a full half of the electricity PG&E generates is greenhouse gas-free. That claim is based on the fact that PG&E generates electricity from massive hydroelectric systems that many environmentalists believe are detrimental. The thrust these days is to dismantle dams not expand their use. The utility also relies on nuclear power to make the greenhouse-gas claim. The hazards associated with nuclear waste and potential emissions are well known and match or exceed the hazards of greenhouse gases. Transporting nuclear waste is an additional problem. In fact, PG&E is generating about 14 percent of its power from renewable sources as defined by the state's initiatives to move toward renewable power. Marin Clean Energy will deliver 25 percent out of the gate. A 100 percent renewable option will be available for a 6 percent premium charge.See the full content of this document
Extract
Three Card Trick
Any questions about the tactics Pacific Gas and Electric Company will conduct in a marketing campaign against Marin Clean Energy are answered in opt-out cards showing up in Marin mailboxes.
The irony contained in wordage on the cover of the card should be obvious: "Opting out of the Marin Energy Authority keeps your options open." How staying with PG&E would keep a customer's options open never gets explained in the opt-out notice. On the reverse of the mailer, in the first of three bullet points, the mailer says the Marin Energy Authority (MEA) "isn't asking anyone's permission" and pl...See the full content of this document
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