Monday, December 5, 2011

Utility Conservation Charge - Bait and Switch?

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Utility Conservation Charge


As everyone knows by now (except perhaps a staff member or two), the conservation charge has been reduced from $2.60 per 1000 Kwh to $1.95. In tomorrow night's backup, staff uses the figure of $1.65--must be a typo. But then you just never know. Something might have changed again.

As someone observed, this is a 'bait and switch'. You see, they lowered the Conservation charge by $0.65 per 1000 kwhr, but increased the 'Customer Charge' by $3.75. That means you will get to save $0.65 on your bill by paying an additional $3.75 on 1000 kwhr.

Overall, it appears that we are saving money due to the lower public utility tax by 2% and the lower conservation charge. Taxes would also be affected. However, a thorough analysis is needed to determine the calculations.

According to Utility Director, Becky Mattey's spreadsheet for residential:

The rates for 500-1000 kwhr are now $0.1330 from $0.12760 last year.
The rates for 1000 kwhr went from $0.14960 to $0.15300 this year.
There was no rate for 500 kwhr last year so they get a rate reduction from $0.12760 to $0.11300.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are aware, of course, that the utility will have to change the calculations and then say that you are a crackpot

Lynn Anderson said...

This calculator is very cool! Everything is checking out on my bill.

Anonymous said...

How can you tell if Lake Worth staff is lying? Their lips are moving.