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Dominion power seeking series of rate increases, which means higher monthly bills for consumers Date published: 4/1/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN Higher electric bills are on the horizon. Dominion Virginia Power yesterday announced a series of five rate filings with the State Corporation Commission that will increase the average monthly bill by $7.54. Based on 1,000 kilowatt hours, it would rise from $108.73 to $116.27 a month--up 6.9 percent. The adjustments in Dominion's base rates, fuel charges and three other items would be phased in over the next 14 months, beginning in July. Initially, average monthly bills would drop about $3.64 a month, starting July 1, because fuel prices have dropped by $236 million. Dominion wants to collect $298 million by increasing its base rates by $6.29 a month, beginning Sept. 1, pending SCC action. In its other filings Dominion is also seeking: $77 million, or $1.40 a month, for the Bear Garden Power Station in Buckingham County, effective Jan. 1, 2010. $78 million, $1.26 a month, to fund transmission projects and related expenses. $99 million, $1.78 a month, for the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Southwest Virginia, to take effect Jan. 1, 2010. Dominion also filed a notice of intent to file for an increase of about $20 million to $30 million--40 to 50 cents a month--for new energy efficiency and conservation programs. Dominion argues that the proposed increases are modest compared to what other utilities are requesting, and that it needed to keep up with growing power demand, mainly in Northern Virginia. "The most important thing about this rate case is about the need for proper generation, transmission, distribution and conservation programs in place to support customers well into the future," said Dominion President David Heacock. He noted that it's been 17 years since the company has had an increase in its base rates, which cover basic infrastructure costs and account for about 70 percent of a customer's bill. The General Assembly in 1999 capped Dominion's base rates at 1992 levels. Fuel charges account for about 30 percent of customers' bills.
Date published: 4/1/2009
for now. The SCC and Dominion have acted very responsibly over the years. This may all change if Obama gets his way. He has already said that electricity prices will necessarily go up when carbon emissions cap and trade policies are implemented. He also said he would make coal fired plants so expensive to operate that no one would build one. Also, you won't see this Congress or Administration support Nuclear power or complete Yucca Mnt. storage facility. As nvaguys said: " you ain't see nothing yet"!
I'm with you, but something must have changed a lot for your bills to go up 50%. Could it be heating? It was colder this year than last. My bill is about the same as last year, but we're replaced old appliances over the past few years, use a lot of compact fluorescent bulbs (keep the receipts for warranty!), and don't have a heat pump. All of that actually made kilowatt hour consumption decline about 35%!
What recourse does the average consumer have against Dominion VA Power? I mean, we all got slammed at the grocery store when gas prices went up and food prices went up with the explanation it cost more to ship the food. Gas prices went down, but food prices stayed the same (or went up). Now Dominion got more money from us in June for fuel expenses, but did not lower when fuel was cheaper. They now expect to get more from us. What can we do?
My electric bills are up 50 plus percent....not 16.61 like this article says. It amazes me how many gullable people live here....This sugar coating is just plain lying! There will be no middle class soon and then who ya gonna have pay the bills. Everyone has to jump on the bandwagon & screw the average American. Pathetic!
Fuel is cheaper now. I have yet to see a passback!
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