Rate Increse - A Protest - Fall!

[blitzcon]

MG&E is the local utility and they sent out a card notifying of a rate increase. Apparently, it is costing more and more to produce electricity. They are a monopoly as far as I am concerned, but they also have to request a rate change through something called the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. There is going to be a hearing about this

Comments

When You're a Railroad Baron, You'll Need a Top hat

[archlords]

It may be better to hold out for one that will be in style then, though. . . .

Re: When You're a Railroad Baron, You'll Need a Top hat

[archlords]

Right'o.

I will be in town this weekend. I'm planning to go to the feast.

Re: When You're a Railroad Baron, You'll Need a Top hat

[blitzcon]

I wasn't logged in.

Re: When You're a Railroad Baron, You'll Need a Top hat

[archlords]

Cool. What kind of schedule do you have?

[sylverling]

they're not completely a monopoly. i'm on Alliant.

[blitzcon]

Oh, good point.

In any given block one is a monopoly. I'm not suggesting it's possible to deliver power another way. It's one of the impossible-to-win arguments you get into with libertarians.

[sylverling]

:-D

i don't object to rate increases. Yeah, it hurts my bank account, but i can definitely be aware of how much power i'm using and try to cut back, and then i don't have to spend as much. besides, if the extra money goes towards developing alternative forms of energy - and at least some of it does, i pay a small (voluntary) surcharge on my energy bill every month for that specific purpose - then that is nothing but a good thing.

[ladybronwyn]

While you're at it, send a letter to the State Legislature that it's about time to sign off on that cost-of-living increase they keep putting off giving to TAs. Would be nice to be able to afford rate increases, especially since I'm already close to the point where I can't cut back on my electricity usage very much. Unless I give up on working from home entirely, start doing all my computer business at one of the UW libraries, and pass on my electricity use to you nice taxpayers who foot the bill for public buildings.

[ladybronwyn]

And by 'close to the point' I mean the only things I leave plugged in are a clock and the fridge (admittedly old and probably not efficient, but I can't get a new one). I'm gone most of the day, use my laptop and a light in the evening, and occasionally microwave something.

I guess my point is that things like this tend to have the largest impact on people who are already close to the margins, and who more likely than not already cut back on things so often have less fat to cut out of their monthly budgets. I'm not saying that this means we should institute some kind of price control system so that companies aren't allowed to adjust for increasing expenses and inflation. But it isn't easy for everyone to deal with.

[blitzcon]

In your case, it is beneficial for you that the utility has to "ask" the government to increase their rates, since it gives you more time to respond to change than, say, at the gas pump.