[meleader2]

I've been living on my own for 5 years. In those 5 years my electric bill has never been over 100$ except in certain occasions where my idiot roommates decided to leave lights on all night for weeks on end.

Anyway, the past 2 months in my new place with current g/f the bills have been over 100$. 130$ last month and 120$ this month.

We're both very concious about turning off [censored] when we leave the room.

I had a look over this bill and noticed i'm being charged in two categories:


Delivery Services

&

Supply Services





For those that don't know, delivery services is the rate at which my electricity is being delivered. So if i use 803 kWh my delivery after tax and all that jazz is $57.78

That is normal. I understand that, and should be paying that.

Now in the next section "Supply Services" reads the following:

Electricity Supply ----- .07215 x 803 kWh ---- $57.94
Tariff Surcharge 3% 1.79$
Sales Tax 4.75% 2.84$

Total: $62.57


This is just unacceptable and ridiculous. I am being charged MORE than the electricity i'm using to be SUPPLIED to me.

I called up my electric company and they explained that the supply charge is the charge used in maintenance of wires during storms, upkeep of meters, what have you.

SIXTY TWO dollars worth a month?

I explained to them that i've never been charged this before (unfortunately i do not have old bills from other places of residence) and i was countered with the "fact" that it's been this way for five years. Ludicrous.





I was told that it was an "open" and "competitive" market and that i should call around to get a different rate on the .07215 charge per kWh. So I did. the best i found is TWO TENTHS of a cent lower (.07015) i went with that supplier but i need help from OOT. i need someone to explain that i'm not the only one here with this problem and it's more widespread than this.

I cannot change electric companies, there's a company per area, and my area just happens to be this company. Also be aware that i've had this company for the whole 5 years, and my names has been on the electric bill all 5 years.


IS this normal for anyone else?


cliffs notes: my electric company is trying to screw me over with a supply rate charge and i have no means to get around it.