Tuesday, December 13, 2011

That Electric Bill Escalates, Hey!

You already know this.

Electric bills have skyrocketed in the last five years, a sharp reversal from a quarter-century when Americans enjoyed stable power bills even as they used more electricity.

...Greater electricity use at home and higher prices per kilowatt hour are both driving the higher costs, in roughly equal measure...

Utilization has gone up with 'always-on' appliances, PC's, and more A/C & refrigerator useage.

Prices are climbing, too, hitting a record 11.8 cents per residential kilowatt hour so far this year, reports the Energy Information Administration. The increase reflects higher fuel prices and the expense of replacing old power plants, including heavily polluting — but cheap to operate — coal plants that don't meet federal clean air requirements.

WEnergies has  replaced Oak Creek, shut down Port Washington, and is now studying how best to conform to EPA/WisDNR choke-holds on the Valley Plant.  Other Wisconsin utilities have also struggled with EPA/WisDNR regs.

Net-net?  Wisconsin's average rate per KWH is one of the highest in the USA at 12.65 cents.

Don't you love your Gummint's "help"??

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