Jackson Heights Life

Wow.  That's what we pay now for two people in the apt.  Sounds like someone is siphoning some electricity or else you have a faulty meter.  Or maybe your father-in-law was on the level billing plan where he paid a flat amount each month regardless of use?  Good luck with the investigation!

Thanks for the replies.  He was not on any specific flat rate plan with Con Ed.  We're going to request a meter read.  I really believe there is something wrong with the billing.

Con Ed raises prices again.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/consolidated.edision.con.2.848256.html

NEW YORK (CBS) ?  Consolidated Edison wants to hit you again.

After socking city residents with the biggest one-time rate increase ever just six months ago, the utility has quietly asked state regulators for a another hike next year -- anywhere from 5.8 to 7.3 percent.

That's almost double the size of the last one.

This time the utility really wants to zap you. It wants an extra $819 million next year. Last April's hike was $425 million.

Con Ed already has the highest residential electricity rates of any utility in the 48 contiguous states with more than 50,000 customers.

* The average price-per-kilowatt hour in Chicago is 12.23 cents.

* In Los Angeles it's 11 cents.

* In Philadelphia it's 14.83 cents.

* In New York City, Con Ed charges 23.70 cents.

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, D-Queen, regularly battles the utility. He said it is time for the state Public Service Commission, which has to approve the rate hike, to just say no.

"We know Con Edison has no shame," Gianaris said. "We know they don't care about their customers. We've been through this with them for year after year after year. The group that has to step up here is the Public Service Commission."

Con Ed spokesman Movahel Clendin defended the need for a rate hike, saying the utility is facing rising property taxes, higher costs for maintaining its system and will suffer economic loses because demand is going down.

What was the outcome of the investigation?

They told us that although we had disconnected all the appliances in the apartment except the fridge, that, as well as our minimal use of the overhead lights, was enough to warrant the bill we received.  We decided not to prolong this, so we cleaned the fridge, unplugged it and just continue having electricity because we do need light in the apartment when we enter during evening hours.  The bill did come lower the last time.

After several months of ConEd telling us to use less electricity to lower our bills they are now charging more because we did what they  told us ?!?!??!?

LOL!

Kind of gives the image of the Simpsons Mr Burns, rubbing his hands together at Con Ed, saying "excellent!", huh?