Complaint Against Alabama Power

Complaint Against Alabama Power

July 14, 2006

To Whom It May Concern: I am very much in need of assistance to file a complaint with some authority regarding my local electric company. Unfortunately, I do not know who can help or who I should contact. My problem is that my electric bill has almost doubled in the last 3-4 months. I call the “Alabama Power” for clarifications on why it is so. I was told that my usage is comparable to what I was using this time last year and everything seems to be on target. The only difference is that my bills have seen a 30%-60% increase. By the time a second representative got on the phone, I then received answers ranging from: the rates go up during the summer months, there was a $2.30 storm charge that was added to every customer, rate increase of $.01 per KWH, to maybe it’s something I am doing. Even though I thoroughly explained to the reps that there were no changes in my daily usage of household appliances, they insist that the bill is correct. I told them my a/c unit works perfectly fine, we wash the same volumes of clothes, and our water heater was gas operated. I travel for work and my wife is the only one home ( she also works and is home at night), yet they have no explanations as to how it seemed reasonable for a power bill to go from the averages of $113-$130 to $160-$191. They continue to dismiss it as “normal” even though their own records shows my KWH usage only differ by less than 100 KWH. FACTS: They said the rate increase was $.01 per KWH They added $2.30 to each bill for storm charge They said there were less than 100 KWH in my usage from this time last year versus now. I am no genius, but if those facts are correct, the math would be that I had $3.30 (plus taxes) added to my bills average from last year ($113-$130) and I would still be no where near what they just billed me for ($191.45). In closing, I thank you in advance for any assistance that you may provide. Best Regards, Johnny

Comment On This

Hello Johnny, I can tell you that you are not alone. We are having the same problem. Nothing has changed regarding our power comsumption yet our bill has gotten out of control. I noticed that when the meter reader come to my house. He never comes within 10 feet of my meter to read it and when he's done he sits in the truck and babbles on his cell phone in my yard. Talk about no respect. You might first want to find out how close he is to your meter when reading it. Alabama Power has to be the most corrupt pwer company I've ever had to deal with. And I've lived in a lot of different parts of the country. If you or anybody finds a way let me know.

Jeff