Electricity Rates Rising

[metta]

I have been told that by a friend that has a friend that works for Edison, a major electric company, that utility rates are set to rise considerable because costs have been increasing just as everything else. They are going to try and do it gradually so it will not freak people out as much.

I just thought that I would mention it so that we can think about planning a little ahead for the increase in costs of electricity, gas, and everything.

If any of you are living pay check to pay check, you guys really need to look at your budgets and look for ways to cut your expenses, or find more ways to bring more money in.

 

[kevbo]

what options are there? to not live without power?

 

[metta]

what options are there? to not live without power?

well, i really don't think that going to extremes is really helpful. but a good place to start might be looking for ways to decrease electricity use by doing simple things like using bulbs that you less electricity.

 

[kevbo]

is electricity a necessity?

 

[Orlandude]

They are "attempting" to do that with the electricity rates here as well...which has come up against SEVERE public outrage. The matter has to go before the Public Utilities Commission in Florida, who will weigh the issue and approve/disapprove any proposed increase. In this state, they cannot arbitrarily raise rates, by Law. They have to prove justifiable cause. Knowing that the power companies will haul out a battery of attorneys to argue this, I'm bracing for increases.

Things ARE getting bad. In fact, worse by the day. Metta is right. If you're living paycheck to paycheck, start looking for ways to cut expenses for find a part time job or a better job...if you can find one. So many people I know are very worried that they may be laid off as companies are clearly tightening their belts. I'm downsizing and selling my house (if I can!) I believe we're in for a couple of bad years. This economic downturn or recession or whatever you want to call it is not going to go away anytime soon. The feds just announced the other day that we are also in a "credit recession" that could last for 2 more years! That is not good. Getting credit for anything is getting very difficult and also contributing to the housing crisis and the plummeting sales of new cars. I don't see gasoline coming down in price...at least not over the summer and into the fall. Food is already getting outrageous.

If you have a job...do everything you can to KEEP it. If you don't, better grab something quick before they start setting "hiring freezes" when companies stop hiring completely.

Even with a new administration coming to the White House, no matter who wins, it will take them time to be able to do anything.

 

[Joshua_me]

It's already begun here in FL.

'FP&L' (Florida Power and Light) has 'commissioned' the state senate with it's proposal to raise rates... (Words like 'commissioned' are just BS, of course, but it sounds good on the evening news)

Bottom line, the average electric bill will go up about $20 or so a month.

Of course, that's just the beginning.

Given the fact that as I type this at 2 in the morning with the temp still in the upper 80's outside, a/c is not an option in these parts.

Already I keep my water heater off, and the pool pump only runs a couple of hours a day... I'm not sure where it will all end up.

 

[metta]

^
Thank you orlandodude.


I'm really not trying to be an extremist. I just think that it is helpful to have a little forethought on things when you see what is going to happen.

In regards to increases in electricity. They will be going up. However, I really do hope that they use some of that increase to build more infrastructure to handle future growth so that we will not have the nationwide blackouts that are predicted in the near future. I think that utility companies need to also look into cutting down how many people they are paying 6 figures a year or more. I understand upper managment getting that but when starting pay in starting positions start near that plus benefits, I have to question that.

I have asked my local electric company about this and they told me that that they have been gradually pushing for more and more green energy options, such as wind power. So far, they are powered by more than 20% green energy.

I don't use S. Calif. Edison but I was told that they are hiring 1000 new people just to install the units in homes for the plug ins that are coming in the near future.

 

[Orlandude]

It's already begun here in FL.

'FP&L' (Florida Power and Light) has 'commissioned' the state senate with it's proposal to raise rates... (Words like 'commissioned' are just BS, of course, but it sounds good on the evening news)

Bottom line, the average electric bill will go up about $20 or so a month.

Of course, that's just the beginning.

Given the fact that as I type this at 2 in the morning with the temp still in the upper 80's outside, a/c is not an option in these parts.

Already I keep my water heater off, and the pool pump only runs a couple of hours a day... I'm not sure where it will all end up.

I hear that!! It has actually been unseasonably hot here for early June. Feels like mid-August! A/C is now on 24/7 and we all know what that means!

 

[kevbo]

24/7???

For the love of God, man, at least get a Saver's Switch installed or something...

 

[jft245]

I have worked in grocery retail for over 30 years and never has the cost of doing business been so high. Most of the vendors who deliver to our store have not only raised the cost of the goods sold to us, they have also started adding fuel surcharges just for delivering to the store. This adds an extra cost to the store owners and decreases the profit they make. You just can't pass on that cost to the customer as most vendor items are pre-priced (think bread, pastries, chips etc). Our main grocery supplier has started adding a 30 cent per case fuel surcharge. That may not sound like much but when you consider that we get four deliveries per week and each delivery consists of between 1,000 to 1,700 cases that add ups to over a $1,000 a week. Add in the cost of electricity to run refrigeration and freezer units, oil to heat the store in winter and the cost of payroll and it is becoming ever more difficult to do business. And every thing goes back to the cost of oil. Manufactures of plastic containers have announced a 20% increase on the cost of their products so expect soda, milk and anything else sold in plastic jars, bottles or jugs to go up soon.

Sorry if this rant is a little long, but hearing customers complain about the cost of groceries and blaming the store for gouging them just pisses me off. It is the same with the cost of electricity, if your provider uses oil to produce electricity, then of course the cost is going to go up. Wind, solar, or nuclear power is the way of the future, but it is not going to do us any good now. Until the price of oil drops, we are screwed.

 

[RationalLunacy]

I think I'll convert to Amish.

 

[gsdx]

a good place to start might be looking for ways to decrease electricity use by doing simple things like using bulbs that you less electricity.

Already have. All my lights in this apartment are CFL or LED now (except in the refrigerator and the oven, but the oven bulb is burnt out so. . . .) Not only are they cheaper to use, but they're a lot cooler, too, and they don't warm up the space.