The Hard Times Cafe

I fully understand that the electric company has a product to sell.  They have the right to make  a profit, after all it is their business.  But every time I get a bill it just exasperates me because of how much of the bill isn't actual electric usage.  Below is how my latest bill looks for one month with all the different charges.  I have a total of 13 charges for electric used, sales tax and rest is for different service charges.  Of my $106.50 bill due, only $54.75 is actual electric usage.  Which means that 1/2 is going towards what?  There are so many fees on there with just a slight altar in the name that is boggles most people, me included.  Mainly because there are things that I  must have  electricity for.  So no matter how much I cut out it won't make that big of a difference with all the other charges.  We don't use a lot of electricity anyways but I do need it to pump my water and my septic (above ground system required in our area). We don't have a television, we turn lights off when we leave a room, we even have gone back to supplementing with kerosene lamps and candles and we are about ready to get rid of our refrigerator (big electric user) and use our "ice box" full time as we have 2 deep freezes in use at all times which could freeze water regularly to supply the ice box.  That is something we have been working on the past few weeks to adjust to full time.  Even if I could cut my electrical usage in 1/2 I would still have a $50 bill due to the charges. I know I'm not alone here.  Many of us are facing these insane charges.  A friend of ours recently found out that their power company (I guess I should mention they live in town) will be charging a monthly flat rate of $70.  So even if your house sits empty for a month, you will still get a $70 electric bill.  Again, the electric companies have the right to make money.  My family is working on the right to show them that we don't need them. An alternative energy source, as nice as it would be is out of the question so we must be creative.  We currently are working on a couple of thoughts for the water and septic.  Once those are underway the only thing I have to figure out is my computer. Not ready to give that up yet:)

Blessings from The Hard Times

The Intentional Peasant

 

break down of electric bill:

 

rate date 5-22 to 6-19

energy charge- first  $31.16

energy -charge- next $16.82

 

electric delivery charges

distribution charge first  $21.46

delivery surcharges  $6.67

 

rate date 6-20 to 6-23

electric power supply charge

energy charge-first $3.47

energy charge next $3.30

 

electric delivery charges

system access charge  $0.73

distribution charge first  $2.92

delivery surcharge $0.68

 

rate date 5-22 to 6-23

electric power supply charges

power supply cost recovery $17.56

 

electric delivery charges

securitization charge  $1.17

Securitization Tax Charge  $0.49

 

Palisades Plant Sale Credit  $4.03-

 

Total Electric  $102.40

Sales tax           $4.10   (notice that is more than the credit they gave us)

Total due  $106.50