After my husband and I had solar power installed on our home in 2001, our electrical use and generation were measured differently by PG&E. In addition to the normal 4-page, 2-sided 11" x 6-3/4" bill which also contained a record of our gas and electric usage, we also received another document.

This new communication came monthly in a white 9" x 12" envelope and was sent to us because we were now an “Industrial Power Unit.” The new document ranged from 10 to 13 pages and was printed only on one side. It was labeled “Electric Detail of Bill,” and detailed it was. That first statement took 13 pages to let us know that our net electricity consumption resulted in 23¢ unbilled charges which we could choose to pay monthly or annually at our option.

Now, only six and a half years later, we are informed that our new energy statement will be double-sided. In addition, PG&E has managed to reduce the document to one page, front and back, plus a cover sheet with our address to show through the window of their 9" x 12" envelope. It appears the bureaucratic insanity has, if not stopped, at least slowed to a walk. The stack of statements for the last six years measures 3-1/4 inches high. About the volume of three reams of paper!

Back in 2001, PG&E apparently had no mechanism in place to deal with a homeowner generating power and feeding it back into the system, so we fell into the same category as an industrial co-generation plant. I imagine it took someone at PG&E a lot of work and convincing of bosses to figure out and implement a more sensible way to handle personal solar electric systems.

Not long ago, one of our readers asked me if I knew of additional ways people who were already living lightly on the earth could further reduce their carbon footprint. This electric bill saga got me thinking. If you are already doing a lot of conservation at home, you might look around at work or at your church or social group.

Whether your work environment is just beginning to become sustainable and just needs a nudge to use recycled paper or whether the problem is more complicated as in the case of the PG&E bill, I’m sure you will find plenty to do.

After all, living sustainably must happen 24/7, not just at home. How green is your workplace?

—Debbie Bulger

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