Can we Afford Higher Utility Costs Now?

Many in Lake County are serviced by First Energy. Even in communities that participate in the popular NOPEC program still have their electricity delivered by First Energy and billed by them.

Not too long ago the State of Ohio passed legislation that allowed for competition in the utilities market. The North East Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) ensued as not-for-profit lobby force that negotiated betters rates with outside suppliers for participating communities. The result: 12% discount on electricity in NOPEC communities.

However, the State Legislature passed a law last year that required utilities to reduce sales, reduce output, use re-newable sources for generating power, etc.

The result was First Energy trying to charge you $21 for two light bulbs! A firestorm ensued!

First Energy is back at it again, and is asking for more time to craft a similar plan. The Plain Dealer covers it here.

There is a push to implement "smart grid" technologies that will help us reduce utility costs in the midst of all this legislation. For instance, the "smart grid" technology would internet based communications to communicate with the energy grid about your energy consumption.

No problem. Technology is great, so is the internet! We could all try to use our resource better. But, using less should not cost us more.

Can Lake County Residents afford higher utility rates in the face of all the tax levies and decreasing wages?

What do you think?

Painesville Power Plant gets a BAILOUT

The local fishwrap has a story today about a $3.74 million grant given to Painsville in order to help its city-run power plant comply with House Bill 221.

This grant to the Painesville power plant is a bail out due to the Ohio Legislature's meddling in power production and utilities.

Ohio House Bill 221 is the wrong-headed attempt by State lawmakers to force utilities into using more so-called green power and green sources for power generation.

Sure, we at this blog love technology; internet, computers, smart phones, high definition televisions...you name it! All these things require electricity to work! All the homes and offices that these devices require gas to heat them!

You get the drift!

However, everything the Government gets involved in ends up screwed up! Take Ohio's attempts via House Bill 221 to get people to conserve electricity.

Guess what the utilities did?! The local electric utility decided it was pass out two compact fluorescent bulbs at a cost of almost $22. Last time I checked six bulbs could be bought for $12 at Lowe's.

The extra cost was due to the revenue that the utility would lose due to less demand.

So, the tax payers make-up the utilities' difference...now we give $3.74 million to the Painsville power plant?

Every time the government does something it costs us money!

Thanks a lot Painsville! We are bailing out your power plant...that's what this boils down to!