Customers see high electric bills after snowstorm

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Senate passed legislation today that would help regulate electric customers’ monthly bills by allowing increased fuel costs to be spread out over time.

Senate Bill 172 would change Kentucky law to allow fuel costs that are traditionally passed down to customers immediately to be distributed over longer periods.

“Energy prices are a problem,” said Sen. Phillip Wheeler, who sponsored the bill.

Wheeler said the legislation would allow the Public Service Commission to give electric companies more time to collect fuel adjustment costs.

“We’re hoping to get this tool to the PSC so that we can mitigate these fuel spikes and help people who are desperate and in need,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler said during the most recent cold snap, prices of fuel needed to generate electricity were at least 16 times higher than average.

“These prices are going to be passed on to the consumers,” Wheeler said.

Drea Hurley experienced the impact firsthand. She and her husband moved back to Kentucky from California last summer to escape high electric bills.

“When we opened the February KU bill I was floored,” Hurley said.

After nearly two weeks of freezing temperatures, their heat bill was more than $500 compared to $130 in the summer.

“We had done everything right we did everything the utility company asked us to do,” Hurley said.

That included buying a new heat pump recommended by Kentucky Utilities. Hurley said once outside temperatures reach 30 degrees, the pump switches to emergency heat, driving her bill up.

“And it’s definitely a huge burden considering that $500 is just for the electric bill that doesn’t include all the rest of your living expenses,” Hurley said.

Hurley said she is not alone in battling significantly higher electric bills. Many customers took to Facebook to share their experiences with different central Kentucky power and gas companies.

“And to see everyone else commenting it definitely softened the blow a little bit I don’t think that my checking account appreciated it as much as I did but at least it made me feel better,” Hurley said.

She said she will continue to monitor how much heat she is using but hopes more potential solutions come into play.

Columbia Gas is offering several programs to help ease costs for customers waiting on high bills this month. That includes a budget payment plan which evens out bills over time and an extended payment plan that would spread the balance due over several months.

Families that meet income eligibility requirements can apply for LIHEAP federal funding. Wintercare is also available through donations from customers. Customers who meet income eligibility requirements can also apply for the furnace replacement program.

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