Electricity is something that we can't live without, at least in the modern world. Our electric bill each month is predicated on the amount we use.To be honest, I have really never taken a close look at my bill. I receive it in the mail and pay it. This month, for some reason, I studied it and just couldn't believe all the extra charges! It's disgusting and hilarious at the same time!
Take a look at my November invoice, exactly as it appeared.
Basic service charge..............................................................$6.96
Delivery service charge.........................................................$22.24
Environmental benefits surcharge............................................$3.71
Federal environmental improvement surcharge..........................$0.14
Competition rules compliance charge.......................................$0.30
System benefits charge..........................................................$1.66
Power supply adjustment........................................................$4.80
Metering................................................................................$5.45
Meter reading.........................................................................$1.82
Billing....................................................................................$2.05
Generation of electricity on peak............................................$39.73
Generation of electricity off peak..............................................$8.52
Transmission and ancillary services.........................................$4.67
Transmission cost adjustment.................................................$2.03
Interim rate surcharge.............................................................$2.03
Regulatory assessment..........................................................$0.28
State sales tax......................................................................$6.08
County sales tax....................................................................$0.76
City sales tax.........................................................................$3.58
Franchise fee.........................................................................$2.13
Total charges for electricity services................................$118.94
It looks to me as the actual charge for electricity was $48.25, but let everybody get their fingers in it and the total is increased by 2.5 times!
At the rate things are moving along in Congress, it's bound to get worse. The funny thing is that in November neither the air conditioner nor the furnace ran.
I am happy about one thing though, that we are able to afford to pay the bill, at least for now!