FAQ Category: Environmental Charges

TID had four (4) publicly held meetings, two (2) industrial-only meetings, and one (1) media-only meeting to discuss the increase and asked for feedback from customers. The two key points received from customers were; (1) Create a line item on the bill showing the environmental charge & (2) spread the increase over 3 years. The…

The Environmental Charge was approved by the Board as a three-year phased in rate increase. In 2012, the effective charge is set at $0.0191/kilowatt-hour (kWh), $0.0252/kWh in 2013 and $0.0269/kWh in 2014. The Environmental Charge may change after 2014, depending on changes to the law and costs for environmental compliance required by the state. If…

Rate increases, including the Environmental Charge, are accomplished through a public rate hearing process. TID informs all customers through billing inserts and newspaper notices of pending rate hearings. During a rate hearing all members of the public are invited to speak. Those who cannot attend may submit written notice of their position on the rate…

Unfortunately, California Legislation does not allow hydroelectric plants generating more than 30 megawatts to count towards TID’s Renewable Portfolio Goal.

The Environmental Charge is for all customers. CARES and Medical Life Support program customers will still receive their appropriate discount, which does apply to the Environmental Charge.

Since the costs associated with the Environmental Charge are a result of California law, TID must comply with them. TID is a public utility in which all costs are distributed through our customers. These costs are necessary for all customers; therefore all customers must pay the charge.

The environmental charge was established to comply with SB107 and currently SBX1-2 (Renewable Portfolio Standard) – requires retail sellers of electricity shall serve 33% of renewables by 2020. Also, Assembly Bill 32 (AB32) requiring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, which was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006. http://www.energy.ca.gov/portfolio/index.html https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ab32/ab32.htm

Yes, TID has always complied with environmental laws. However, the legislation passed since 2006 has required a substantial investment in renewable generation. The major investment was the Tuolumne Wind Project (TWP) purchased in mid-2009. The cost for the project has never been included in the primary energy charge seen on the bills. Instead, TID has been collecting…

The Environmental Charge (EC) was put into place at the request of customers to show the costs associated with environmental compliance. The costs included in the EC are primarily the costs for the Tuolumne Wind Project (TWP), along with costs related to greenhouse gas reduction (links to Climate Change under About TID-Environment). Compliance requirements are outlined…