County residents complain of inflated bills
Published: January 29, 2010
Are power bills in Jackson County getting out of control? Many residents think so. A handful got together Thursday afternoon to compare their bills, and didn’t like what they found.
“Out in my neighborhood, people are choosing between heat and food,” Mary Leah Kent said. “These people are freezing to death.”
Many held up bills that showed totals which were double and triple what the costs were a year earlier. The raise in kilowatt hours matched the increase in cost on the bills, but the customers didn’t trust the meters.
“Mine’s doubled,” Jerry Richardson said. ”And I haven’t changed a thing from last year.”
Freda Cobb, who organized the meeting, said she wanted Gov. Charlie Crist to intervene.
“We challenge him to send people down here, a representative, somebody,” Cobb said. “Because we cannot continue paying these kinds of bills, and put food on our tables.”
Buddy Shelley, of Florida Public Utilities, says the customers are right. Their bills have gone up — 120 percent since 2007.
“Of course, we were starting at a very low rate to get to there,” Shelley said.
He explained the company had once offered the best rates in the state. But in 2007, the company had to re-negotiate its contract with its power supplier, Gulf Power. That led to several additional fees and other costs, which added up to higher bills.
“Yes, our rates are a little higher now, we’re probably mid-range of all the utilities in Florida,” Shelley said.
He said whatever was wrong, it wasn’t the meters. They have accuracy ratings as high as 98 percent. But if customers suspect problems with their bill, they have options.
“If anybody has a problem or concern with how much usage they have, all they have to do is call us,” Shelley said. “And we will send a meter man out there to check it and see if it is accurate.”
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Reader Reactions
of course you realize that the FPSC and the electric companies are like two peas in a pod. I doubt serious if you get any results…...National media is the way to go. All you consumers, the city, county…..all need to get together and collect as many signatures or letters that you can and send them all to a national media network….get an investigative report started.
There’s also an online form if you prefer that:
http://www.psc.state.fl.us/consumers/complaints/
Here’s how to file a formal complaint with the FPSC:
1. Call 1-800-342-3552 (toll-free). Push button 1 to file a complaint.
2. Tell the attendant you want to file a complaint, then he/she will ask for your name, address, and phone number. Once this has been provided, they will give you three options to provide them with a copy of your electricity bill or bills (you have to send them this as well). They will also give you a request number that you need to write on the top of the bill(s) that you send them.
3. Here are the ways that you can provide them with copies of your bill (or bills) to complete the formal complaint:
a. Fax to 1-800-511-0809
b. Scan and e-mail copy to contact@psc.state.fl.us
c. Mail to Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399
If you guys are like me and your USAGE has dramatically increased in the last couple billing cycles, go ahead and send them a copy of both recent bills. The bill I received yesterday was the 2nd one where I feel like I’m getting taken for a ride (got blindsided a month ago, and then again yesterday…so it obviously wasn’t a fluke), so I’m going to send them both of them.
I just filed a formal complaint with the Florida Public Service Commission, the only entity that is apparently charged with oversight of what I thought was a government-regulated monopoly. I called FPU earlier and they offered to send their own people to perform an audit of my meter, but that’s akin to sending the wolf to inspect the chickenhouse for holes. I suggest EVERYONE that has experienced ridiculous bill increases to do the same, especially if you’re like me and others I know that have experienced not just the rate increase (that’s well documented, approximately 13%) but also absurd increases in KW/Hr usage…something that has NOTHING to do with the 13 percent rate hike. I know that my alleged consumption for the last TWO billing cycles have exceeded the same periods for the previous year by approximately 50 percent each (hard to explain away a jump in Kw/Hr usage from 1800 in the previous year to over 2800 in the current year by saying “well, we had that week of really cold weather…“, especially over a 2 month period).
I don’t know if all meters in this area are now digital (when performing an audit, if information is being processed electronically, this presents a completely different set of controls to consider), but to me this just raises another red flag. It’s like I told another irate neighbor who was convinced FPU is “doing something fishy” on purpose with the energy usage readings…you could have a situation where they’re doing something on purpose, or you could have a situation where something is processing improperly and they are clueless (for now). Either way, I’m smart enough to know when something isn’t right.
I just checked my meter today, and I’m on pace again for another crazy billing, yet nothing has changed since last year (same heating system, same temperature setting, same trees in the yard, etc.). I’ve heard the same story from everyone I’ve talked to.
I recommend EVERYONE file a complaint with the FPSC…they’re the ones that will have to do something if we raise enough stink. It’s time to rattle the cage, folks. It’s still a democracy here, and this is how you avoid getting screwed.
It’s just another example of the fleecing of America. I think the only thing that will help is to bring it to the attention of national media networks…CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX. Local and state just don’t have the power, but get it in the national spotlight and that just might effect some changes.
While I agree that action is required for citizens to gain a stronger voice in the operation of the Electric Cooperative, as I said earlier though, the COOP rates are not regulated by Tallahassee and therefore, we have no leverage.
The best first place to start is with guidance from an experienced legal team who is intimately familiar with utility management, both public and private, and associated laws, both state and federal.
If folks are serious, a core steering group of citizens must be assembled to drive the protest efforts.
But I have to admit, the Coop has us all over a barrel at this point, and they know it.
I am a Jackson county resident. I go through West Florida Electric and my bill has doubled since last February. I dont think I know anyones light bill being under $500.00. That is ridiculous!
We can all complain and comment about how high the bills are but in order for something to be done residents must move forward to Tallahasse and voice their concerns. Its definitely going to take some action. I’m not residing in Marianna but my mother and brother are their and I support them in their efforts to resolve this problem that has not only existed this year but in the past as well, unfortunately people are just beginning to complain. Next step ...
I Agree “thanderson”. I live in Atlanta now and my electricity bill is less than my parents’ bill back in Marianna. It’s sick! I hope someone has enough influence to get the Governor’s office involved. Usually takes only 1 phone call. It’s not like they don’t know who the representatives are.
I’m deeply disturbed and confused about the utility bills in this small county which haappens to be my hometown. I currently live in South Florida and in all my 29 years here I have never experienced a bill as high as my family’s and local residents. It not fair that citizens on a fixed income or any law abiding citizens to be faced with such high utility bills in an area where the temperture drops well in the 20’s at some point during the winter season.People should not have to make a choice of whether to eat or pay their electric bill. What happen to people helping people? We cant just tell people to stop paying their bills nor can we expect them to go hungry. There must be someone governing the people who are in charge. No one should have that kind of power to just charge such prices as the ones these residents are expected to pay. I don’t know how many people turned out for the town meeting on Tuesday but I have to wonder for those who did not attend, is there a problem with their bill? Is everyone in the city experiencing extremely high electric bills, regardless of their income? Why isn’t there some type of budget billing in place for senior citizens? Are the meters being read or are they monitored through the utility office? If so then how do you know the meters are registering accurately? What about special rates or discounts for valued customers? How about payment plans for those who are on fixed incomes? There has to be some other solution for these residents than simply having someone come out and check the meters. Its time to get back to the basics and start caring about people and taking care of each other. Life is precious.
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