(The Mercury News) - The Bay Area tops the list of U.S. regions grappling with soaring costs of living. While housing, food, childcare, and health care expenses have strained residents’ budgets for years, a new expense has emerged as a major issue: utility costs. PG&E electricity rates have skyrocketed by a staggering 63% in just three years, contributing to widespread struggles to make ends meet in one of the most expensive regions of the country.
For homeowners, investing in clean energy technologies can provide crucial relief, reducing energy bills by more than $1,400 annually. But the nearly 50% of Bay Area residents who rent are left watching our meters spin and our bank accounts dwindle.
Apartment dwellers have historically been left out of California’s solar transition — and a decision from the California Public Utilities Commission last year exacerbated the situation. We are dependent on our landlords to make the investment – and under the current policy, they have no incentive to do so.
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