Rates: CU Ups Yours
FairCityNews.com | Sep 08, 2010 | Comments 0
Springfield Mo.- Due to a proposed utility rate increase of up to 23% by October 2013, some residents of Springfield have threaten to disconnect services from City Utilities. “I have had it with all the rate hikes. I’m not paying CU another dime,” commented Joe Natureback a soon to be ex-CU customer. “I’m gonna dig a well for my water, put me up some solar panels and a windmill for power and use a woodstove. I’m done with those guys.”
Natureback is not alone in getting off the grid of CU. Several subdivisions in Springfield have been acquiring old Ferris wheels and with a few modifications changing them into generators for electricity. They will be powered by various small animals providing an endless power source as well as an animal exercise program.
To justify the rate increases, CU spokesman John Witty says points to the economy. “With the on going economic downturn, we find our customers are using less electricity, gas, and water. We also predict less customer growth in the future than originally predicted. This means no money coming in for the us so prices have to go up. I have seen this ‘cutting back trend’ by people for some time now. It really doesn’t matter what people do or save in every case when usage drops, we increase rates. To us less means more.”
Another concern for CU is when the Southwest 2 power plant goes on line this year it will generate more power than it needs for local demand. With no customer use for the extra power, one proposal has been for the utility company to buy the glut for themselves and pass the costs on to their customers, which would keep revenues up.
The final approval for the rate increase will be up to city council. Until that vote occurs, City Utilities suggests leaving all lights on day and night and keep the water running while brushing teeth to increase consumption of power and drive down prices.
Filed Under: Economy