The increase to the Customer Charge in Kentucky Utilities proposed rate increase places an unfair burden on those least able to afford it. This charge which will now be called the Base Service Charge will increase from $5 to $15. KU says the “average” residential customer will see a 13% increase in their bill. The biggest part of this increase is coming in the form of a fixed $10 increase regardless of the amount of electricity you use. If you are a widow living in a one-bedroom apartment with a current electric bill of $50 per month, your bill will increase to about $61 per month: a 22% increase! Yet if you live in a 2000 square foot home with two heat pumps and have a $250 per month bill, yours will only increase to $265 per month: a 6% increase.
If KU needs more revenue, it should come in the form of a greater increase in the Energy Charge. The more electricity you use, the more you pay. Those who use more should be able to pay more. Don’t let the KU use this increase in the Customer Charge to penalize those who are more energy efficient. If you are a KU customer, call the Public Service Commission today at 800-772-4636 and file a complaint against this type of increase.
Sincerely,
Clint Goodin
Post a Comment
