19 Lives, Thousands Displaced, and a Bill That Keeps Climbing: The Real Cost of the Eaton Fire

19 Lives, Thousands Displaced, and a Bill That Keeps Climbing: The Real Cost of the Eaton Fire

19 Lives, Thousands Displaced, and a Bill That Keeps Climbing: The Real Cost of the Eaton FireIn House Contributor
Published on: 18/09/2026

The Eaton Fire claimed lives and displaced thousands of residents, and under California's inverse condemnation standard, the resulting liability gets recovered largely through rate increases and recovery bonds spread across the utility's entire side.

Eaton Fire costwildfire liability Californiautility rate increasehome solar savingsenergy independencehome battery storage
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Who Really Pays When a Power Line Sparks a Fire? Inverse Condemnation, Explained for Homeowners

Who Really Pays When a Power Line Sparks a Fire? Inverse Condemnation, Explained for Homeowners

Who Really Pays When a Power Line Sparks a Fire? Inverse Condemnation, Explained for HomeownersIn House Contributor
Published on: 17/09/2026

Under California's inverse condemnation doctrine, a utility can be held liable for wildfire damage caused by its equipment even without proving negligence, and a meaningful share of that liability ultimately passes through to ratepayers via rate.

inverse condemnationutility wildfire liabilityCalifornia electric rateswildfire prevention costshome solar savingshome battery storage
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Every Year You Wait, the Deal Gets Smaller: SCE’s Net Billing Adders Phase Out After 2027

Every Year You Wait, the Deal Gets Smaller: SCE’s Net Billing Adders Phase Out After 2027

Every Year You Wait, the Deal Gets Smaller: SCE’s Net Billing Adders Phase Out After 2027In House Contributor
Published on: 16/09/2026

California's income-qualified net billing adders are structured to phase down and eventually phase out after 2027 for new applicants, similar to how the federal solar tax credit and standard NEM programs have declined over time as adoption grows.

income qualified net billing adderNEM 3.0 incentive phase outCalifornia solar incentiveshome solar savingssolar rebate deadlinehome battery storage
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What SCE's "Standard" Solar Contract Terms Reveal About How Your Rates Get Set

What SCE's "Standard" Solar Contract Terms Reveal About How Your Rates Get Set

What SCE's "Standard" Solar Contract Terms Reveal About How Your Rates Get SetIn House Contributor
Published on: 15/09/2026

SCE uses standardized power purchase agreement templates for new solar contracts, and these regulator-approved terms shape how much solar capacity actually gets built and how quickly, since they set the baseline economics for developers.

SCE power purchase agreementutility solar contractsCalifornia solar developmenthome solar savingshome battery storageenergy independence
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