PEC: More Discussion on Restructuring of Rates to Give Small Users a Break

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Contact the PEC at www.pec.coop

From Lee Lawrence:

PEC has contracts for commercial users, with different rates, so businesses would not be penalized by conservation efforts. After all, Austin Energy has business customers, too, and that doesn't stop Austin Energy from offering rates which encourage saving energy. I personally would be happy to see PEC institute a rating system as suggested by Mr. Langston (see post below). This would be a great topic for the next annual meeting, or for PEC to address on their website.

Austin Energy also has a 'customer assistance program' similar to the Operation RoundUp described by Mr. Glover in his email. Quite a few co-ops do the Operation RoundUp and maybe that would be an area that PEC would consider, too.

From Mark Glover:

Many cooperatives have an 'Operation Roundup Program', where electric bills are rounded up to the next even dollar amount. The funds collected are usually used to help the less fortunate or to provide grants to local non-profits that help families to meet their obligations. It is best if a non-profit charitable foundation is formed to administer the program. The program can be set up as a voluntary opt-in or voluntary opt-out for the rate payers. This may a solution for PEC to help those in need. Customers can-opt out if this is not of interest to them. The amounts really add up quickly. Here is a link to one cooperatives program:
http://www.palmetto.coop/community/roundup.html

From CB Massmann:

All the businesses that use over 1500 KW will relocate and no longer use or buy any PEC electricity. Thus making more available. The former employees of these businesses will not be getting pay checks so will cut their usage to under 500 KW per month. Also making more available.

In a message dated 12/4/2008 6:03:04 P.M. Central Standard Time,
stlouis_98@hotmail.com writes:

OK, for the small user of electricity, let's propose a new fee structure: 5 cents per KW Hour for users of under 500 KW per month. 7.5 cents per KW hour for users between 501 to 1000 KW hours per month.

10 cents for users between 1000 and 1500 KW hours per month.

20 cents for Users over 1500 KW Hours. This would encourage conservation and reduce future cost increases.