Regulators with California’s Public Utility Commission approved rate hikes for three of the largest utility companies in the state on Dec. 19, with higher prices expected starting next year for ratepayers who already see bills that are almost double the national average.
The utility commission granted Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)—the largest energy provider in the state supplying nearly 16 million Californians—its fifth and sixth rate hikes of 2024.
Over the next year, ratepayers will reimburse the utility giant $723 million to pay for operating the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant and nearly $376 million for vegetation management performed in 2020.
A rate increase request was filed after the company spent more clearing trees and protecting transmission lines than commissioners approved in prior hearings, but regulators said during the meeting that the unique circumstances of 2020 made the lack of compliance understandable.
One consumer advocate specializing in energy policy reform said the utility companies routinely use memorandum accounts set up by regulators to spend more than approved, knowing that they can later request another rate increase. […]
— Read More: www.theepochtimes.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
