Electric rates jump in ‘09
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Pee Dee Electric Rate Hike
Pee Dee Electric Rate HikeTIMMONSVILLE—The New Year started in a way that could leave your wallet a little lighter if you have service with Pee Dee Electric, which hiked rates by 23 percent starting Thursday.
Timmonsville resident Fred Ham no longer builds a fire for recreation.
“We unplugged our deep freezer, we don’t need it. Now we’re in the midst of winter if you notice behind me, we got a fire place and we don’t have our heat on today,“ Ham said.
Ham’s electric bill before the rate hike kicked in went from $125, to $240 and the latest was $323.
“This is just too much,“ Ham said.
While it’s taken its toll and forced his family to change over time Ham, said the worst is on its way with the latest rate hike.
“We got to look around our friends and our neighbors that are struggling so hard during the economy. Surely Pee Dee Electric is going to be turning some of them off,“ Ham said.
Pee Dee Electric officials said they agree with Ham.
They said that the rate increase could have a negative impact, but they had no other choice because fuel costs have increased and they held off as long as possible, Brian Kelley, utility spokesman, said.
“There’s a time they should come down instead of going up,“ Ham said.
Ham said he fears the increase and the timing could make for an even worse economic state in 09’.
Pee Dee Electric has tips on their website, http://www.peedeeelectric.com, that can help people conserve energy and they can also put people in touch with agencies that offer assistance.
Reader Reactions
Thank you Pee Dee Electric for holding off on rate increases as long as you have. While others figure in a pre-bill fuel cost adjuster you all continue to provide a flat and reasonable rate. Thank you for all the information on how we as your member-owners can cut a substantial amount from our energy bill. We commend the service you provide that is second to none.
Pee Dee electric can blame rate increase on any fairy tale they would like.The absolute fact is that Wellman inc.palmetto plant was paying i.5 million dollars electric bill each month,and since they closed because of corporate greed the other customers must make up the loss.It is truly a tragedy for yhe remaining customers.THANK YOU.
Thank you for the 2 CFC light bulbs…lol. I don’t see how any company can justify increasing rates by 23% at one time. Guess the coal industry and our electric coop’s are trying to jump on the bandwagon with the oil companies in order to get rich.
Greed has nearly crippled our economy and our Government does not seem to care. Just remember, they will be held accountable on judgement day.
I have to wonder where the liability will lie when people start freezing to death because they could not afford to pay electric bills? I myself was in a very bad situation in Upstate New York one time three decades ago when my electric was turned off for non payment in Jan. I was pregnant with my fourth child and my husband was off somewhere with someone else and not sending me any money. I had to burn what wooden furniture I had in a fireplace and go out during the day to cut trees with a hand saw to keep my children from freezing to death. It was a terrible fire hazard and I had to stay awake all night to make sure the fireplace was safe. We all slept in one room with blankets over the doors and windows to keep the drafts out. We went through this for four days until a family member could get to us through the snow and take us to get some help from Social Services. My phone had also been shut off, and we were out in the country and were too far to walk for help. If we had all died, who would have been to blame?
Mr. Ham is not alone in his battle with rising electric rates. All utilities, not just Pee Dee have been forced to increase rates. Why? Coal cost!!!
Mr. Nettles explained the reasons very well at the Cooperative’s recent annual meeting of the membership. In his remarks he clearly said that not one penny of the increase stays at Pee Dee, Santee Cooper or even in the State. It all goes to the coal companies. So, we all need to band together to have the powers to be deal with the coal companies and their profits!
I know for a fact that the co-op has programs to help it’s members. Give the a chance and let them help. Let’s all be apart of the solution and not the problem.
You know CEO Toy Nettles a former democratic state legistlator knows how to raise electric fees. It was called taxes in his former life!
I bet we dont see any of those folks being forced to take a few days off as part of a pay cut like Smuriff Stone and some of the State Agencies!
Way to go Coops!
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