Remember back in 2009 when FirstEnergy tried to force compact fluorescent light bulb use by shipping them to customers’ doorsteps unsolicited? There was uproar because the Akron-based utility planned to add a fee to monthly electric bills for 3 years to pay for the pricey luminaries. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio halted the plan.
Now it’s back. The PUCO approved the light bulb scheme today with only one apparent revision—if you want those light bulbs you have to request them and residential customers can ask for up to six. May as well take advantage of the offer because whether you want them or not, you will pay an extra 30 cents on your bill each month to pay for them.
The program is part of a broader plan the PUCO approved that will enable FirstEnergy to meet the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction of 22.2 percent that Ohio law requires by 2025. Consumers should know that the other provisions in the plan approved today will cost another $1.20 a month. Starting now.
What will the average electricity user get for the $1.50 bill increase?
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2011.
Thank you PUCO for looking out for the consumers. Highest gasoline, food, clothing, and energy prices in years and PUKE allows a utility company to pile it on more fees.
Funny, there is no such information on First Energy’s website?????
@TheJoe It was just approved this afternoon. It may be a matter of me being a faster writer than the FE people. I imagine eventually you will be able to request your 6 light bulbs on their site because they bought them ages ago and really, really, want to be rid of them.
Why has my bill doubled for the last two months, including a week-long period in December when I was out of town and nothing was on but my refrigerator?
Those freaking light bulbs!