Rather than allowing your existing utility company, or ‘default service provider’ to automatically become your supplier, an innovative proposal has been sent to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to allow electric retailers to bid on customers in areas where electric choice is being offered. Funds generated by this public ‘auction’ would be used to provide ‘rebates’ to customers in the form of cash refunds ranging from $150 to $500, depending upon your monthly bills. The PUC is currently reviewing this proposal and a decision could take many months. While it has been favorably received by regulators, some existing, or ‘default’ electric providers are bitterly opposed to the idea and are actively opposing it through legal, advertising and public relations campaigns. Efforts that are largely being funded by the monies you pay through your monthly electric bills – in essence your money is being used to bankroll the fight against giving your money back to you!
Their Costs Have Been Lower!
Many electric companies have had lower than expected costs for purchasing the power they provide to you. In a normal business environment, these lower costs would be passed on to you, saving you money on your monthly electric bill. Instead, many utilities are keeping those ‘excess’ earnings (your hard-earned dollars) as profits. Profits which are then given to shareholders as dividend payments, or worse, used for bonuses and other rewards to the utility’s top executives.
Be Angry
You should be angry about this. We saw what our federal bailout of Wall Street resulted in – record profits for the companies who caused our financial system’s meltdown, and outrageous bonuses for their top executives. What our electric companies are doing is no different – they’re just using our ratedollars, rather than taxdollars, to enrich themselves. It’s time we put a stop to it!
What Can I Do?
Sign the petition!