Enjoyed the "Our Opinion" column in the Daily Blat of the 27th wherein it stated "Steps needed to improve competition". Lots of Truth there folks.
First issue that needs attention is the lack of teeth in what remains in the Public Service Commission (PSC). And from what I have read and observed does not seem were many to begin with? Far too cozy with the Utilities they are supposed to oversee and than SB 234 gutted more on the oversight of local Public Service Districts and Municipal Sites. Look at us as an example of no one guarding the chicken coop. Or better yet wait till next month when the new and engorged Sewer/ Water bills begin to roll out.
Than for the sake of comparatives comes out the plan to sell the Power Plant in Pleasants County to West Virginia subsidiaries. Another great deal for West Virginians' in the making. The Blat was more revealing than I think it meant to be?
But it is more swallow able to blame it all on the EPA and Mr. Obama. Lots of room for blame there, but still a lot more to eat here because of the coziness that exists.
Suggestions for reducing the ever increasing costs to those who usually can least afford it and by that I mean the working folks with low wages to start with. I would like to suggest that the PSC show some stones and require the Utilities to eat more of the costs of improvements both in their bottom lines and in the dividends paid to stockholders.
Want to see a PSC with stones, check out Washington State. It is not afraid to stand up to a Utility and saying "hold on kemo sabe" with that increase request. It could and did force a roll back in rates when the local Puget Sound Energy (PSE) went crazy for a year or so, years ago. Forced it to eat more of costs AND reduce dividends in sharing the pain.
1. Insure that increases are based on a "Rate of Investment" (ROI), rather than a "Guaranteed Rate of Return" (GRR). This is highlighted in the Lubeck request in its latest rate increase to include pay increases. I would suggest it is hidden in the need to cover "increased costs"? Cost containment is never a big priority for any Utility. A GRR is a sad way of screwing the Utility Customers into the ground based on a mandated profit margin. It is seldom a legitimate charge, but often used.
2. The use of a "Sunset Clause" for any increase so that when the monies are recouped, the increase goes away. New increase needs must stand on their own and cannot be piled on top of old ones. Here in lovely Old Vienna, the VUB/ City Council is already planning on another Rate Increase in two to three years. But note the first Bond on the Sewage Uplift Station is supposed to be a 10 year Note. When that is done (2025), the cost of THAT increase should IMMEDIATELY go away.
Notice, there has been no talk on if Chemour/ DuPont agreed to eat the cost of rehabilitating wells 7 & 8? That was supposed to have been resolved last week?
It is interesting to see where the County Commission is asking about cost reductions to include pay increases and the ever hidden increase payments in benefits in place of supposed pay increases. Don't remember that being pursued in the Claywood PSD increase? But not too worry, there will be a healthy increase for the Lubeck folks, be it $1.77/ month or 14.8%. The real issue is rate increase on top of rate increase. 100 pennies still make a dollar folks.
Here, that was about $2,600.- 2,700 on average per employee PLUS the $728. in cash. That is a $3,300- 3,400/ year bump per VUB employee and the City as a whole. Ms. Smith got her customary $4,800- 5,300. And Mr. Rapp got his $12,000/year increase PLUS the hidden health premium coverage.
The Blat for sure got it right on what those Coal fired plants are going to do too this State. If the product can hardly be given away, it has to be paid for by the captive audience. In this case, it will be you and me until the plants do finally reach the life expectancy?
Should not be a problem for West Virginia to attract the alleged 19,500 new residents by 2020 to save one Congressional Seat. The number of out of State workers to get jobs as Residents after being here for 30 days will swell the body count by that amount easily. But what happens when most of the drilling is done and only maintenance crews are needed? That may in times to come when we have a problem again? But again, the promises of unparalleled production and manufacturing plant increases should still offset any further losses?
Guess we need to listen to the Government at every level. Everything is coming up Roses for us if we just follow the Party Lines. 'nuff said'.