New York Regulators Approve Unprecedented ConEd Rate Hike
Staffers at the New York State Public Service Commission have signed off on ConEd's plan to impose the largest rate hike in the company's history. ConEd asked for $1.2 billion, but PSC staffers think the utility is entitled to only $618 million. New Yorkers already pay some of the highest electricity bills in the nation.
"This is all part of the sham that goes on with every rate hike request," said Assemblyman Michael N. Gianaris, a Queens Democrat who sits on the Assembly's power committee and who has criticized the utility for its response to the 2006 power failure in his borough. "Con Edison asks for more than it expects to get," he said. "The P.S.C. rides in on its white horse and takes credit for slashing the request. But the end result is still what Con Edison wanted all along."
ConEd's original proposal would have raised the average residential customer's bill by 17%. The PSC's recommendation will probably result in a hike of 10%-12%, though the exact figure is not yet known. The increase would apply to ConEd's transmission costs, which are charged to ConEd customers and customers with other energy service companies (ESCOs.)
The Commission will hold public hearings in October before releasing a final decision by next March.
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Comments:
Here in Brooklyn, my last ConEd Bill dinged me for
11.75 basic service charge
22.3c/KwH and
23.0c/KwH
4% sales tax
Looks like in Oregon (If I'm reading this month's bill right), I pay:
$7.50 for a basic service charge,
$0.03284/kWh for the first 542kwh,
$0.03936/kWh for the second 542kwh,
$0.04912/kwh for above that (over 1082kwh).
I used to think around $100 was spendy for 1200kwh...
No wonder Google built a big data-center over here!
Alameda Power and Telecom, Alameda, CA:
$0.102870/kWh
$0.000220/kWh state energy surcharge
7.5% utility tax
Last month, I used 233 kWh for a final total of $25.82. When I first moved in to this apartment about 2 years ago, it had 60-75W incandescent bulbs in all the fixtures. My bill was close to double what it currently is. Compact fluorescents for the win!
Strangely, I don't see a "service charge" anywhere on the bill.
*Note: AP&T is a city department...
@QuantumRiff:
You have hydro power. Probably the cheapest in the nation.
Here in south Louisiana we pay $0.123202 per kwh including all service charges and taxes.
@Xkeeper: Can't really judge electric rates by electric bills. My electric bill when I first moved into my home was running me $350-400/mo. After some renovations and energy efficiency upgrades, I'm down to $50/mo in the middle of summer, in Florida, air con & dehumidifier running 24/7. Square footage has slightly increased due to the way I moved walls & ceilings internally, exterior walls/envelope was left unmodified.
WHOA: That sucks! WTF are they using to produce electricity up there that costs so damn much? It's not like they're spending it on infrastructure as we've all seen from the major breakdowns/f-ups over recent years/months. Anyone know how much those scammers over at IDT end up charging?
Everything considered, I guess Tampa Electric doesn't do a bad job. The 30 minute) blackouts are usually down to about one a year. The only real gripe I have with them is the pricing and perceived impropriety of how they acquire their fuel (coal). It's mined from mines owned by TECO Energy (Tampa Electric CO), shipped to Florida by TECO Transport, then burned at coal plants owned by Tampa Electric. They claim it's the cheapest way to do it, but other independent reports have shown that they could do better by sub'ing out the sourcing & transport of the coal.
Also... WHY do power companies advertise & sponsor things? It's not like we have a choice. "Tampa Electric... use use or start rubbing two sticks."
Every year I call to complain about the jump in fees during the summer. I barely use the AC and I'm paying about $150 / month in a two bedroom apartment in Manhattan. And then during the hotter months, I end up paying something like $250. I have family leaving in homes that pay less than that.
I remember one guy saying...
"I have this friend paying $300 month in a studio! See you're bill is not so bad"
And now they're raising rates? This is all racket. One you can't even really fight as they can charge you whatever they want and no real way of disputing it.










Aargh! I've got to pay more! This just plain sucks!