This page explains how we turn source material into an article, so you can judge how far to rely on it.
1. Primary sources first
We start from the document closest to the decision: a utility’s rate sheet or tariff, a regulator’s order or press release, an agency dataset or forecast. We link to those sources at the end of the article. When we have to rely on a news report or a company’s own announcement, we say so.
2. Answer first
Each article opens with a plain answer to the question in the headline, followed by the evidence and the caveats. A short list of key takeaways or a FAQ may follow.
3. Proposals are not approvals
We separate what has been requested, what has been approved, and what is in effect. A utility’s request for a rate increase is reported as a request, not as a new rate.
4. Dates on everything
Figures are reported “as of” a date, and articles show when they were published, when they were last updated, and, where we have checked, when the facts were last verified. Rates and rules change, so check the date before you act on a number.
5. Our own math is labeled
When we calculate something ourselves, such as a percentage change between two published figures, we say so with wording like “by our math”. Averages, such as a national average price, are not your rate, and we say that when it matters.
6. What we do when we cannot confirm something
If we cannot find an official source for a claim, we say we found none, rather than guess. A statement such as “we found no official October 1 rate change” means exactly that: we looked at the sources linked in the article and did not find one.
7. What we do not do
We do not give financial, tax, legal or engineering advice. See our disclaimer.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it and note the correction. See corrections.