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Green-power, low-energy users get brunt of utility rate increase

JS Online -- The sting of the We Energies rate increase that just went into effect will hurt most for those who use less energy and those who buy green power.

In approving rate boosts for Wisconsin utilities last month, the Public Service Commission gave the go-ahead to We Energies and Madison Gas & Electric Co. to increase the size of the fixed charge on monthly bills - and to increase the rate paid by customers who want greener power sources.

As a result, a We Energies customer who uses about half as much power as a typical customer will see bills jump by nearly 7%, whereas residential bills overall will rise by 5.6%, to about $90 a month.

Meanwhile, the premium paid by We Energies' green-power customers went up 74%, according to the PSC. That means an average customer who's paying extra for green

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Submitted Jan 06, 2013 By: skb69sa

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MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:764,145 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2013 12:48:40 AM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse There should be no objection from anyone to electric rates for those who want only green power paying for the true cost of providing that green power. It is wrong for the customers who do not choose to use or demand green power to have to subsidize the kilowatt hour rate charged to those who demand green power. The fixed charge, a.k.a facilities charge, component in a monthly electric bill is there to recover the cost of the utility being able to provide electricity to a customer if requested and should be the same for each group of customers receiving the same level of service, such as residential, small commercial, large commercial or industrial, no matter how many kilowatt hours each individual customer within a customer class does or does not use each month. As long as the fixed charge is the same for all of the customers in each customer class then there is no problem with the fixed charge component.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,252 Points:1,739,755 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2013 12:31:22 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse The trend of the future....Increase Rates.
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,599 Points:1,139,320 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 11:54:52 PM Ignore NedW Report Abuse Guess they'll have to put off buying that EV.
ClarkSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,068 Points:1,009,455 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 4:50:31 AM Ignore ClarkSC Report Abuse No kidding?
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,954 Points:2,343,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 3:25:50 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Green-power, low-energy users get brunt of utility rate increase? Makes you wonder why do I bother to use less electrical power and get charged more? One way to decrease this monthly overcharge is to produce your own power from solar panels and/or wind turbines mounted on your house or property. Your own generating system will involve an upfront charge to purchase the components, install the system and get paid back with lower electrical usage that the utility cannot charge you for. I had the same thing with public water rates, water conservation and low flow shower heads were pushed years ago and after everything was finished, they raised the water rates because they didn't have enough money to pay 'their' water bills. So much for conservation! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII! - The Day After......
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,772 Points:1,214,900 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 1:02:19 AM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse What does this have to do with the price of gasoline?
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,940 Points:829,780 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 12:52:14 AM Ignore regout Report Abuse All we heard now is green green green, nothing else.
Delight777 Sophomore Author Cleveland Posts:228 Points:354,995 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 12:50:59 AM Ignore Delight777 Report Abuse OK.
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,397 Points:529,350 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 12:42:45 AM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Broken link.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,067 Points:795,200 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:44:06 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse This just the tip of the iceberg for rate increases.
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,027 Points:699,205 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:31:21 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Aw, shucks!!
gbs1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,991 Points:740,650 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 10:14:40 PM Ignore gbs1 Report Abuse If you want to be green, you will pay for it
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,844 Points:639,955 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 7:34:30 PM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . There is NOT SUCH THING as Green Energy, PERIOD. If its Energy it is not green or clean by definition! And all this is doing is making it harder for people to power their homes, especially the poor whom the Dumbocrats repeatedly say they are trying to help but only ever hurt! If you want to see what happens when the Government gets involved with Green Energy, just look at Spain! That is were we are headed. A Green Energy Bankrupt Country!
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,733 Points:1,243,295 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 7:25:42 PM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse Down with green govt graft.
me2002 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:763 Points:319,205 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 6:07:23 PM Ignore me2002 Report Abuse Ok
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,038 Points:1,619,090 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 4:32:11 PM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse new lower cost just all company making money
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,862 Points:1,516,380 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 4:12:45 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse Some days you lose and some days you tie.
katmandue Champion Author Detroit Posts:8,061 Points:2,132,170 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 1:52:02 PM Ignore katmandue Report Abuse using less means they will charge us more? greedy low life's! [Edited by: katmandue at 1/6/2013 1:53:21 PM EST]
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,589 Points:1,292,510 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 1:48:10 PM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse I'm glad my rates are locked in for another year. It could get ugly out there.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,645 Points:1,868,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 1:37:55 PM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse It is always the same .. poor pay the subsidy of rich ...
rabbit_tdi Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:135 Points:492,495 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 12:33:56 PM Ignore rabbit_tdi Report Abuse Aw, pooh. Looking it up, I find the company has been charging $.25 per day as the 'facilities charge'. Apparently, they intend to increase it to $.30 per day. The customers should be glad their local provider of electricity is not Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (in North Carolina) --- this outfit charges $1.00 per day as the facilities charge! [Edited by: rabbit_tdi at 1/6/2013 12:39:04 PM EST]
RAKARWOWSKI Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,990 Points:819,075 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:47:17 AM Ignore RAKARWOWSKI Report Abuse What an obummer.
geezrtek Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,896 Points:429,785 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:28:03 AM Ignore geezrtek Report Abuse Just the price of those wonderful wind and solar electrons.
DeeLA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,802 Points:1,362,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:26:53 AM Ignore DeeLA Report Abuse If in Wisconsin those companies are new in the green power business, they have had to add the infrastructure to support this, which adds to the expense of producing the power. It was the customers choice to select this option, not a requirement. It seems fair to me. In California, power produced from all sources, hydroelectric, solar, wind, nuclear, and geothermal, all goes to the grid, and everyone pays their share of the costs.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,337 Points:162,700 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:16:46 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse I should hope so - it is about time they started paying their fair share of the related infrastructure cost.
fieldt Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,920 Points:726,800 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:15:27 AM Ignore fieldt Report Abuse Kinda funny.
kuma2000 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,208 Points:671,225 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:15:13 AM Ignore kuma2000 Report Abuse This just don't make sense - you try to save energy and then you get billed more.
Sapper08 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,054 Points:318,350 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:14:57 AM Ignore Sapper08 Report Abuse They have better sense than that in Wisconsin!
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:14,815 Points:2,598,445 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:13:30 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse They should praise those who use less not the high users who cause extra expense by the electric producers who might have to expand production
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:6,518 Points:1,789,935 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:12:27 AM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Bad management
henryeOH Champion Author Akron Posts:1,066 Points:58,620 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:11:31 AM Ignore henryeOH Report Abuse Obummer wants you broke and asking for a handout, therefore he will control you
JWHITE1937 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,514 Points:995,055 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:10:24 AM Ignore JWHITE1937 Report Abuse If I beleive this, the less energy I use the more it will cost? Can anyone remember which year any utility LOWERED it's rates??
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,515 Points:3,076,915 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:10:23 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Let those "Greenies" put their money where their mouths are and pay their "fair share". We in Idaho are getting sWINDled by the pro-Wind Energy forces who are turning our formerly unblemished hills and mountains into veritable Sherwood Forests of wind turbines. BEWARE those of you who are being pressured into approving this seemingly benign malignancy. You WILL regret it! Once they go up, they will be there forever, regardless of their economic feasibility.
traumer Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,364 Points:1,336,500 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:09:55 AM Ignore traumer Report Abuse HA HA That's just plain funny!!
ntimid8 Champion Author Nebraska Posts:1,207 Points:1,960,530 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:09:46 AM Ignore ntimid8 Report Abuse Cause and effect
marion1739 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:819 Points:258,410 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:09:00 AM Ignore marion1739 Report Abuse Only part of "Green" power is less green in your wallet
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:9,695 Points:1,633,525 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:08:03 AM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse We just pay more for everything.
Buffalo Joe Champion Author Alberta Posts:8,583 Points:2,506,115 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:07:36 AM Ignore Buffalo Joe Report Abuse As usual.
Chadgas All-Star Author Missouri Posts:968 Points:2,172,750 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:06:48 AM Ignore Chadgas Report Abuse Power is cheap. Admin cost are high.
RONALD777 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,427 Points:361,030 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:06:41 AM Ignore RONALD777 Report Abuse Sounds good to me.
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,590 Points:686,225 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:06:12 AM Ignore southrob Report Abuse hmmm so it really doesnt pay....
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,479 Points:2,179,205 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:05:34 AM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse Percent increases can be misleading. Start with a lower number and the percent can be greater.
jalan25 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,330 Points:568,995 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:04:53 AM Ignore jalan25 Report Abuse Certainly a disincentive to go green
ironbox_sara Champion Author Albany Posts:9,581 Points:2,236,805 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:02:39 AM Ignore ironbox_sara Report Abuse Enjoy Greenies!
chillyman3 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,355 Points:422,890 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:02:19 AM Ignore chillyman3 Report Abuse use less and pay more....doesn't that sound like BIG OIL? HMMM
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,311 Points:1,436,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:00:54 AM Ignore Romey08 Report Abuse Does not equate nor promote energy conservation.
Canucktree Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,886 Points:1,018,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:00:33 AM Ignore Canucktree Report Abuse Normal thinking by government thinkers!
YodaON Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,922 Points:778,085 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:00:29 AM Ignore YodaON Report Abuse it has always been that way here but the power itself is not the big part of the cost
silvershark69 All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:994 Points:376,740 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 10:59:25 AM Ignore silvershark69 Report Abuse Its is more complicated that the numbers revile. Yes they got a bigger percentage increase, but they have the back up of the grid incase they need the energy. As for paying for green energy it costs what it costs, ether you want green or you do not! The question of source for energy will continue to change.
spmaudio Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,724 Points:721,215 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 10:59:01 AM Ignore spmaudio Report Abuse This is just a quantity discount: Use more, pay a lower rate per unit. But it does seem to be punishing those who strive to conserve energy!