Newton Falls residents upset with high power bills

More than 250 people upset with high power bills posted complaints on the city of Newton Falls website. Some claim the high prices are due to a monopoly that bars Ohio Edison from serving customers.

Others posted possible reasons such as "guesstimated" electricity bills not actual readings.

Catherine Nichols says she does not know why, but her bills have increased to a ridiculous price over the last few years.

Nichols said, "We went from around a $100 or maybe $80 bill to where it was going into $300, and almost hitting $400. I believe if we were with Ohio Edison, our prices would be cheaper. Newton Falls has a lot of elderly; there are a lot of disabled; they live off a certain amount of income. There is no way they can afford that amount. If they are getting a disability check of $500 and their utility is over $300 or $400, how are they paying for their meds, how are they paying for food, or any other expenses like a gas bill or rides to doctors? It's an extreme hardship."

But city manager David Lynch said, "All bills are read each month unless there is a problem with the meter or problems with access to a meter. We have three-meter readers who act very efficiently to read meters at 2600 residences, and businesses. We have high accuracy rates of what they are doing. Last month's billing cycle was longer, so bills are higher. Research has shown many people who have complained they had higher bills; their energy usage has shown they used almost 50 percent more electricity over the previous billing cycle. That's because ten days in that billing period temperatures reached over 90 degrees. If you set your thermostat at 70 and it's 72 degrees, it's not going to take much work to cool your home. If it's over 90 degrees outside your AC system will be taxed and will have to work hard to maintain that 70-degree temperature in your home.  The compressor on your air conditioning system is one of the most significant ways to contribute to a higher utility bill. People also tend to take more showers when it's hot outside, and stay indoors and run more lights. People leave their computers on all night, which also drives up electricity bills." 

Lynch added. "If you are not paying close attention, you may not realize you are consumption is going up. When you were growing up, there was a reason your dad or mom told you to turn off the lights."

Lynch emphasized, "We strive to make sure the readings are accurate anytime there is a problem with the accuracy we will go out and check the meter. So each one of the email complaints I am receiving we are researching it to see if it is a consumption issue, if it is a meter issue, or to see if it is a calculation issue, either way, we will get to the bottom of it.

The email to send a specific complaint is [email protected].

But Nichols added, "My home had energy upgrades. I don't have central air and did not increase ceiling fan use. I will take the city manager up on his offer to review my complaint and email him."