Beach Explains High Electric Rates

Beach Explains High Electric Rates

July 15, 2026 · 57 min

About this episode

Barry Cinnamon interviews Tom Beach to discuss the real reasons behind high electric rates in California, debunking common misconceptions about solar energy's impact.

Think your electric bill is high because of rooftop solar? That's exactly what AI told us... and AI IS WRONG. This week on The Energy Show, Barry sits down with Tom Beach, Principal Consultant at Crossborder Energy and one of California's leading experts on utility rate design, to expose what's really driving record-high electricity prices. Spoiler: It isn't your neighbor's solar panels. Episode Highlights: • Why AI repeats utility talking points instead of considering independent expert analyses • Why PG&E says rates are "going down" while your electric bills keep “going up" • The "heads I win, tails you lose” utility business model • Why municipal utilities charge HALF as much as investor owned utilities • The truth about fixed charges, departing load fees, and the so-called "solar cost shift" • How the data center buildout will likely increase your electric bill under the current regulatory framework So…if you've ever looked at your utility bill and thought "This makes absolutely no sense," this episode is for you. #TheEnergyShow #PGE #ElectricBills #CaliforniaEnergy #SolarEnergy #RooftopSolar #EnergyShow #BarryCinnamon #UtilityRates #Electricity #CleanEnergy…

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