Not only oil companies are posting record profits
Seems a loud and clear call for solar and other power at point of use.
Kirk
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2007/03/10/news/news002.prt
Readers share horror stories over utility bills
By the JG/T-C
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The following comments were collected from JG/T-C readers via e-mail:
January electric power bill - $196.42
February bill - $396.02
JW
Our latest bill was $243.09. The bill previous to that was $121.08. So, our
bill doubled almost exactly. It wasnt as big of a jump as some people have
had, but its certainly more than a $1 a day, and its a hardship for us. We
are all electric, but now were looking at gas.
JL, Charleston
I am a single mother of two and live in a 2-bedroom apartment. My CIPS bill for
January 2007 was $135 and my bill for February 2007 is $259. I have lived in my
apartment for 8 years and have never had a bill this high. I keep my apartment
at 70 degrees all the time, even though it is cold. I have very limited income
and I dont understand why the bill has almost doubled. I dont know how people
are going to be able to afford these rates. I hope something can be done about
this outrageous increase.
MS
Our electric bills for the month of January went up to $767 and for the month
of February my bill went up to $1847. We are a low income family that only
bring home $1300 a month. People like us cant afford to pay these high
electric bills.
CR, Ashmore
We have a 1,280 sq. ft. ranch-style home with a family of two adults and one
child with a total electric home.
January bill was $216.39, 2007.42 Electric KWH total usage. Avg. temp 36.
February bill $281.36, 2948.00 Electric KWH total usage. Avg. temp 18.
Fortunately, I am on Budget Billing (a/k/a Equalizer) plan which I was just
re-evaluated for in December. Prior to December I paid $107 a month on the
plan. During the re-evaluation in December, AmerenCIPS (knowing their rates
were going up) found me to be using less and changed my plan amount to $106 a
month ($1 less). They re-evaluate the Budget Billing amount every four months
so the effect of the increase has not happened for me yet but will in four
months when they make the entire balance behind due and certainly increase my
Budget Billing amount.
JW, Charleston
I am a homeowner living on the west side of Charleston with a family of five.
My January bill was $350.11. As if that was not high enough, my February bill
came to a unbelievable $449. I am paying another house payment for my
electricity. It is a real struggle to keep my bills paid and paid on time. I
cant imagine how the elderly can afford this increase. I am praying that
something will be done soon for everyones sake.
MP, Charleston
My CIPS bill:
January $153.96
February $227.50
KK, Charleston
Our household bill for January was $112.07 and February $143.59 for a two-month
total of $255.66. We have a two-bedroom condo with windows on east, south, and
west.
VR
In January, my Ameren bill was $259.40.
In February, my Ameren bill was $429.62 (almost doubled)
JB, Mattoon
My electric bill last year was $152, this year same period, $403.
EW
My electric bills for January, February and March were $146.95, $197.18 and
$394.10, respectively. A more telling fact is that my highest bill for the same
period in 2006 was $179.80.
How is that justified? We are an all-electric household. What Ameren did not
publicize is that fact they canceled the incentives for being all electric
along with the rate hike.
LM, Mattoon
Our average bill this time of year runs around $270-$300 per month, our new
bill this period is $660; we cant pay this. Ive sent emails to Flider, to the
governor. I did get a response from Flider, but as expected, nothing from our
so-called governor. Everybody needs to complain and take a stand on this issue.
JS, Strasburg
January - $339.26, February - $433.54
RB
Our house is all electric and has been since we built in 1973.
Bill date Jan.15 - $168.08
Bill date Feb 12 - $357.94
Difference $189.86
Besides the increase, we also lost our special winter heating rate which we
have always had.
B&RL, Mattoon
Since we have a newborn at home, we keep our house heated at around 70 degrees.
January and February bills combined totaled almost $900. That is equivalent to
almost 3 car payments and one and a half house payments.
TK, Mattoon
January - $262
February - $350
For those of us on fixed income, this is shocking. What do we cut back? Food,
meds or that needed trip to the doctor? This impacts the whole community not
just individuals. The more we spend on our power bills the less we have to
spend for other necessities. This greed must be stopped.
Sara (no last name)
I am a very low income single mother of 2 minor children. I struggle to pay my
monthly bills every month but since the increase it has gotten worse. My
January bill was $312.60 which is just $25.40 less than my house payment,
taxes, and insurance per month. And my February bill was $399.64, which is
$61.64 more than what I pay for my house payment, taxes and insurance per
month. It is just outrageous to me that the average person is now paying just
shy or more than they pay for what is typically their most expensive bill per
month, their house payments.
CW
Our electric portion of our Ameren CIPS electric and gas bill went up $13.58
and $11.38, which is a 14% increase from last year.
CC, Ashmore
My house is totally electric, so the natural gas rate increase last year did
not affect me at all. My January 2007 electric bill was $187.52. My February
bill was $458.24. There is no way my monthly budget can handle that kind of
increase in one month. Some of my other bills will not get paid this month so
that I can keep my heat on. This is ridiculous!
CC, Mattoon
The increase in the Ameren rates in the past two months has been extremely hard
on my family and me. The January bill that my household received was $320, an
increase of almost $100 from the previous bill. The February bill was even
higher. It came in at $390. I have to believe that my household is not the only
one with these types of jumps in our power bills. It is ridiculous to think
that Ameren is trying to save the bottom line at the expense of those they
serve!
CL, Charleston
My power bills almost doubled. It used to be about $250/month. Now my last two
bills have equaled to almost $900. I do not know how we are going to pay this
next months bill. It is $509 alone. We have five children and can not afford
to be without power. But, with rent being almost $600/month, we almost have to
be independently wealthy to survive.
CB
My home is a 2876 sq. ft. home that is all electric. My bill for January was
$507 and my February bill was $770. Evidently I am one of the few homes that
had a special rate for being all electric that was hit the hardest with the
higher rates and also losing the special incentive for the all electric status.
If something is not done about these rates, I will most certainly be forced to
sell my home. My February bill was almost as much as my mortgage payment. I
soon will be a single mother and will never be able to pay a bill like that
again in the future. Thank goodness for tax returns, thats my only saving
grace at this moment.
CW, Charleston
This rate hike is affecting my living situation. I am now having a hard time
keeping current on all my bills. My son has asthma and I have to have
electrical service to be able to provide him with the medical treatment he
needs daily. When I called and expressed my concerns to AmerenCIPS, I was told
in a very snotty manner if you have a problem with the rate hikes, take it up
with your Governor!! Now what kind of customer service is that? So now I have
to take food from my childrens mouths in order to keep my electricity on. I
think something needs done. I bust my butt and work as much overtime as I can
and it still isnt enough.
Here are examples of the rate increase:
Nov. 2006 bill totaled $127.88
Dec. 2006 bill totaled $169.04
Jan. 2007 bill totaled $262.35
Feb. 2007 bill totaled $274.54
Is that not ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!
KP, Charleston
I live by myself and my only income is Social Security. My electric bill for
February was $225.01 and for March $315.22. A year ago, I paid $136.40 for Feb.
and March, $126.36. I keep the heat turned down to 68 degrees. I am total
electric. I dont know how I am going to pay my bill if it does not lower.
AW, Charleston
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