- Connect
- Login
- Print Subscription
|
Welcome,
| |
| |
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Utility to sell you $9 bulbs for $21
By Don Shilling
Consumers will pay 60 cents a month for three years for the bulbs.
FirstEnergy Corp. is sending two energy-efficient light bulbs to all of its residential customers in Ohio, but not everyone is happy with the charge that comes with the bulbs.
The utility will charge customers about 60 cents a month for three years in exchange for delivering the compact fluorescent bulbs to the door or mailbox.
The average residential customer will pay $21.60 over three years for the two 23-watt CFLs, which are equivalent to 100-watt incandescent bulbs.
Retailers sell the CFLs for about $9 a pair.
Ellen Raines, a FirstEnergy spokeswoman, said the utility is permitted to recoup the cost of the bulbs, their delivery and the power that the customer would have used if they didn’t install the bulbs.
Despite the fee, consumers will save about $60 in electricity costs over the life of the bulbs, which is expected to be five to 10 years, Raines said.
The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel tried to stop FirstEnergy’s plan because it thinks there are better ways to encourage energy efficiency, said Anthony Rodriguez, a spokesman for the agency that represents consumers in utility-rate cases.
FirstEnergy, parent of Ohio Edison, is sending the bulbs in an effort to comply with a new state law that requires utilities to reduce the demand for electricity, but other utilities have adopted plans that don’t include a monthly charge to consumers, he said.
One utility sent discount coupons to consumers, while another set up a program with a particular retail chain that provided discounted bulbs.
State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, said she would have preferred that FirstEnergy comply with the new law by issuing the coupons. That way, consumers would have had a choice in what type of bulb they can install, she said.
She encouraged consumers who don’t like FirstEnergy’s plan to register their complaint with the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel at (877) 742-5622.
Raines said FirstEnergy thinks more consumers are more likely to use the energy-efficient bulbs if they are delivered to them. Its plan was approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
About 80 percent of the bulbs will be hand-delivered to customers, with the rest being delivered by mail. Delivery of the 3.75 million bulbs will start Monday and take about five weeks.
FirstEnergy has hired three companies to handle the deliveries. No action is required by consumers.
Raines said a state energy law passed last year requires utilities to cut electricity demand by 22 percent by 2025. The law contains annual benchmarks that start this year, so utilities must take steps to reduce demand.
Raines said this is the first step in its plan to reduce demand and comply with the law. In future years, it will propose other ways of reducing demand, including possible programs for commercial and industrial users, she said.
shilling@vindy.com
ProAmerican (1059 comments)posted 1 month, 16 days agoChico, when the Dems win, America loses, so I doubt they are against this light bulb campaign.
foxtrot (679 comments)posted 1 month, 16 days ago With First Energy distributing products containing mercury, they (and we the ratepayers) are liable for any and all damages as a result of mercury poisoning due to release of the mercury upon lamp breakage. Also, the costs to drive or otherwise ship the spent bulbs to an approved disposal/recycling facility have to be subtracted from the savings.
Badbulbidea (1 comments)posted 1 month, 16 days ago Here goes another freedom. Why do I need bulbs from First energy when I can buy the same bulb in a 6 pack from Wal-Mart for $13.88? What idiot thought this one up?
dimebag (36 comments)posted 1 month, 16 days ago This is for "our own good, and the good of the planet" say the Liberals. Thanks a lot! Elections have consequences.
Freethinker (24 comments)posted 1 month, 16 days ago I haven't heard anyone say this is for our own good. The Republican appointed PUCO and the utility companies are to blame for this profit making idea.
Does not matter if you suppport Republicans or Democrats...they are both funded by the Utility companies and other special interest concerns.
All politicians should be made to wear NASCAR jumpsuits that display their corporate sponsors.
metz87 (869 comments)posted 1 month, 15 days ago Poloticans made this law,the utility companies chose to make a quick buck from it. I see now they may be rethinking it but the idea has not been scraped jsut yet. The poloticans made this all possible.
barackwillfixit (1 comments)posted 1 month, 14 days ago What are you all complaining about. This is all in the name of stimulus. Just think about all the low paying delivery jobs that this will create.
Your boy, Obama is probably so excited. He will take claim for creating jobs, being green, and giving everyone "free stuff."
Sounds like Health Care. "Free" is paid for by taxpayers. In the case of the light bulbs, it's just a tarriff on your electric bill for the next three years.
In the case of health care, it is me and the rest of the working folk (and my kids and grandkids for that matter) that will be paying for it.
Get used to it people. Your boy, Obama and his crew will be shoving it down your throats for the next 7 and a half years, whether you like it or not.
ChadSnaggler (44 comments)posted 1 month, 13 days ago Class Action Law Suit!
rudy56 (99 comments)posted 1 month, 13 days ago If Capri Cafaro agreed to this, contact her and give her both barrels! Her phone is 614-4667182 or E-Mail is.........................senatorcafaro@maild.sen.state.oh.us and ask her where in the HELL is her mind!
metz87 (869 comments)posted 1 month, 13 days ago Poloticnas have a nasty habit f telling us they are against thigns when they made them poosible. The love to say one tihng but do sometihng else behind our abcks. It is partly there fault as well.
Reader (33 comments)posted 1 month, 13 days ago It looks like it is on hold as of now. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...
ksnann (6 comments)posted 1 month, 12 days ago This is utterly ridiculous. How about getting out of our pockets, I have enough activity in there and trying to keep above water, and I don't live beyond my means, but everytime you turn around someone has their hands out!
ksnann (6 comments)posted 1 month, 12 days ago Thieves
ksnann (6 comments)posted 1 month, 12 days ago Thieves, and that's putting it lightly. Get out of our pockets.
metz87 (869 comments)posted 1 month, 11 days ago They always find a way tot screw us over.
sotired (96 comments)posted 1 month, 11 days ago If they send them through the mail they would need to be shipped as hazardous material. The first question they ask when you ship something is...is there any hazardous material in this container...so no postal delivery.
Any private individual delivering these like phone books would need to display a hazardous material placard and the driver would need to have a CDL to haul over a certain number or weight of these bulbs.
They do contain mercury and if they do break in your home there are specific procedures that need to be followed to prevent you and your family and your home from being contaminated by the mercury.
And anyone that tells you these bulbs last longer than a year or two at the most is a liar. I put a low wattage one over my sink and it burns out at least once a year. I see no difference in my electric bill despite using them in my family room, my hallways, my garage and in two places in my kitchen.
Perhaps they would last longer if you turned them on and left them on 24/7 but wouldn't that just negate any savings?
metz87 (869 comments)posted 1 month, 10 days ago good point. Why not give you a coupon for say 30% off to buy then at a hardware store? Wouldn't that be easier and this mess would not exsist.
pci510 (58 comments)posted 1 month, 10 days ago We changed every bulb in the house to fluorescent 2 years ago and should not have to pay any company for sending bulbs which are not needed. People should have a choice of what bulb to have in their house not dictated by a company who wants to have only their bulbs in people's houses. Posted by Tera
Reader (33 comments)posted 1 month, 10 days ago This comment is what really gets me:
****************************************************
"The $21.60 charge, Ms. Raines said, would cover the cost of the bulbs, their delivery expense, and offset a loss in revenues to the firm for the expected lower electricity usage resulting from the energy-efficient lighting."
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...
*************************************************
So they justify charging us an exorbitant amount of money to help cushion their loss of revenue as the result of us using more energy efficent lighting?
I think she needs fired for even thinking this is a reasonable statement to make or an acceptable way to treat their clients.
I guess when the energy company has a monopoly, they can treat their clients any way they want just so they stay profitable. Something needs to change!
pci510 (58 comments)posted 1 month, 9 days ago This is one of the most greediest type of saying we want to have customers reduce energy which in reality is only a way to make mega funds for the company. Why should customers use just First Energy bulbs at so much a month when customers can buy better bulbs at a much lesser cost? Are in persons who work in management of the First Energy Company smarter than a fifth grader who figured out 3 ways for homeowners to conserve energy?
Posted by Toni
ront (52 comments)posted 29 days, 14 hours ago i e-mailed th puco about the light bulb fiasco. there response was, they approved the distribution of the light bulbs; but did not as of yet, approve the billing of customers.
- Requires free registration.
Comments
They (First Energy) need sued over this one. I already use fluorescent lamps of the type described. The four disadvantages are:
1. These lamps contain mercury.
2. The extremely long lamp life encourages you to burn them 24/7, as it takes 2-3 years for them to burn out.
3. Walmart sells these lamps 4 for $8.00
4. Dimmers and 2-contact (screw-in) photoelectric controls cannot be used with these lamps.
Smash it and mail it back to them. They'll be just as happy to receive it as you were.
They should focus their efforts on sending these bulbs to Motel 6... they are always leaving the light on.
Next year they will triple the electric rates to encourage less usage . Smashing the bulbs and sending them back is a fine idea ! :)
Can I bill them $21.60 for each pair of them I already installed?
What a royal ripoff to it's utility customers. 2 bulbs are $3.50 at Target. This is a real travesty and then to have us pay $.60 a month for the next 3 years for them is incredably wrong. I already use CFL's in my home so what a waste. Seeing Capri Cafaro as one of the bill's sponsors tells it all.
Another 'white-board' great idea. We need to organize and call the number to register complaints. Genius.
Reminds me that we are paying $10 billion a month on wars most Americans hate. Just another example of the tyranny of the Corporate King.
22% by 2025. What are we going to stop having kids. The numbers always plus up in soceity. What about Bussiness they don't have too. It's just a Joke. Most of the comments hit the nail on the head.But what's being overlooked is First Engry and other companies are saying the'll be losing money with these bulbs. So a Tariff we be imposed to make up for the Companies losses in the Residentail Sector while this is being implemeted ! This I know hasn't been discussed on this site. How come the companies aren't envolved too? Get the wndmills out . These companies need to pay the company first and it's stockholders last. Just think if all companies did this. They would not have to depend on the Tax payers to bail their dreams out. How can you exspect to stay in Bussiness when you don't pay the Bussiness??
I'm a little confused, and I'm not an expert, but - if a company sends you something that you didn't order and don't want isn't that considered a gift? And aren't there laws that state you do not have to pay for something you didn't order and don't want?
Isnt the law if you recieve something you did not order it is a gift?? Thanks fe.
Go ahead and break the bulbs and send them back ! Your still going to pay for them. The Law and People who make the Laws are on these Magots side. Intresting isn't it ! Where has free America gone ? Wait til they hit us with the Tariff for less usage !
WHO THE HELL ASKED 4 THESE DAMN BULBS, IF I WANT THEM I WILL GO OUT AND PURCHASE. IN 2003 A COMPANY CAME OUT AND PUT IN 10 FREE AT MY HOUSE FREE OF CHARGE. ALL JUST GAVE OUT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WHY DON'T THEY JUST ASK WHO WANTS ANY. HOW CAN THEY JUST SEND YOU THESE AND THEN CHARGE YOU FOR THESE. eVERYBODY WANTS TO CONTROL EVEN YOUR BOWL MOVEMENT. BULLS#@T
As I understand it, it's a Postal Service regulation that if you get something in the mail that you did not order, you can not be charged for it (a gift - as the previous 2 posts state).
I wonder what would happen if we sic the postal service on Edison. . . . ?
Any postmen/women out there have an opinion?
If you want to send a message to First Energy, organize a one or two hour all lights off protest.
I think an aspiring young attorney that receives a couple of bulbs might consider filing a class action suit to see if the postal regulation cited above really will stand up in court. That regulation is national, not local so it could take a Supreme Court ruling!
I do not believe they are being delivered by the Postal Service. They will be dropped of by a private concern.
I will deduct 60 cents from every electric bill and wait for the class action suit to be settled.
I will not be a victim to greed. I will not be dictated to!
I am going to send them a bucket of $h!t and charge them $0.61 for each bucket they get the next three years and see how they like it!!!
Interesting. Why in the world do we keep voting for these people that make these deals up? PUCO is supposed to help the consumers not the energy companies!!! People do you see the light here? Open your eyes please, "slowly but surely they drew their plans against us" !!! We are losing our freedoms little by little everyday. Wake up and vote these wackos out of office!!! I already have these bulbs in my house!!!! Does that mean I dont have to pay the extra cost? Most people I know are using these bulbs also. That should mean I get a discount!!!! Not a bigger bill!!!
Does this sound like communism???
I won't be forced into purchasing something I don't want, need or believe in; let's fight these communist Demorats and Republicans who are whittling away our rights. Don't allow them to get away with it; we're already being forced to pay for a lot of crap we don't want. I.E. Social Security Tax, local, county, state and federal income tax, etc. We pay over 50% of our income in taxes yes the govt. is bankrupt. Do you suspect it's because of corruption?
This whole program....from Governor Stricklands mandate to the utility company "solution" and the PUCO and OCC approval just plain stinks! It is big government and big industry telling us what we must do once more without asking! I'd suggest calling and emailing the PUCO (800-686-7826), the OCC (877-742-5622) and Governor Strickland and voicing your disapproval and rejection of this stupid, stupid and totally unnecessary plan! I have done so and urge everyone to do the same. Silence is approval to them.
Pro,
The democrats are fighting this !!!
I'm not a math genius - but my figures indicate the following: the article states they are delivering 3.75 million bulbs and charging .60 monthly for 36 months for 2 bulbs or .30 monthly for 36 months per bulb. .30 x 36 = $10.80. 3.75 million x $10.80 = $40,500,000. The article also states the bulbs can be purchased by consumers for $9 per pair (or $4.50 each). Since I'm sure First Energy is not going into Home Depot and buying bulbs 2 at a time, let's use half that price, or $2.25 per bulb (and I'm also sure they are paying even less than that per bulb). $2.25 x 3.75 million = $8,437,500.
So, $40,500,000 (in fees from customers) less $8,437,500 (in cost of bulbs) = $32,062,500 for delivery and lost income. [I love the part where they are permitted to recoup the amount they would have been paid if we didn't use their energy-saving bulbs! We have to pay for electricity we're not using!]
I don't know about anyone else - but I would gladly deliver their bulbs for half of $32 million!
First Energy's plan doesn't sound like a very bright idea.
I already purchased my energy saving bulbs myself. This is a ridiculous idea! Just a way of increasing the rate. Why not have skipped the expense of buying the bulbs (First Energy) and just increased our bill for the lesser amount that wouldn't have included their cost for the bulbs. If promoting energy efficiency was mandated, coupons for bulbs would have been the best idea.
I don't like the idea of paying for something that I already own.
Call Ohio Edison to voice your displeasure .
1-800-633-4766
Next time they will want to send you an energy efficient toaster and bill you $1.20 a month for five years!!! Then an energy efficient refrig.... well you got my point, but I hope they don't!!!
I called Ohio Edison and voiced my absolute disapproval telling them not to send me their bulbs and not to bill me for them either. They are taking lots of calls like mine, so if you want to make a difference, give them a call at 1-800-633-4766 and let them know just how unhappy you are. I had an 8 minute wait, but they will call you back to avoid the wait.
When I called the OCC to voice my disapproval they are not taking calls...probably due to the sheer volume! The PUCO rep I talked to was very defensive and most unhappy with my call...which says they are getting many, many calls like mine. I emailed the governor too.
Power to the People!
Do Ohio residence realize how badly you are getting screwed over. I am a Florida resident and spend my summers here in Ohio. Before retiring I worked in a different town than I lived in. I paid property tax, 6% sales tax and federal income tax, that is it. No local working tax, city tax, or state income tax. Look what you pay in Ohio.
By the way my property tax in Florida on a home of the same size but greater value is less than half of what it is in Ohio (no resident exemption). My Florida insurance is triple what it is in Ohio (hurricanes) but when you add everything up the difference for the two states is less than $100.
IF the bulbs are hand delivered, can't we just refuse them from whomever brings them to our doors?
I already own the bulbs too. When I need more bulbs, I buy them 2 for $3.50. Coupons would have been the best idea.
Hello all.
I just spoke to ohio edison rep and it was amazing to hear the responses to my questions.
paraphrased but you get the idea:
1. you are not being billed for them--there is no LINE ITEM for the bulbs its included in the recent rate increase!!!!!!
2. your local stores must sell them below market price.....I mentioned buying 4 at Home depot last week for about $8.00.
3. I asked how can they justify the price we pay and can they provide the accounting breakdown of costs involved since this is not SUPPOSSED to be a profit program---was told that is impossible!!!!!!!
4. I asked how can the company justify such a blatent rip off and profiting on this while HIDING behind the law. I was told they are not hiding behind the law , then was told the rate increase allows it! DUH
5 I asked about the high profit and was told also they are not making A PROFIT on this.
BULL!
Bob
I asked First Energy how to opt out of the program. They said I can refuse the bulbs but I would still be charged for them.
Does anyone know how to spell communism?
I was always told that anything that is sent to you that you did not order or request is a gift. First Energy can shove these bulb where the lights don't shine!
We should all begin delivering our household garbage to the nearest First Energy facility; i.e. power sub-station, office building or maintenance building. They can incur the cost of clean-up and we can save trash collection costs. This should make them think twice about stupid sh*t like this!
Call PUCO (Puko) and the Ohio Consumer Counsel. I did. Fight these 1960's communist American haters. The ones who didn't o.d. that is.
I am like the rest of you. I already have these bulbs in my house but you can't use them in your dimmer or ceiling fan. This sucks! They are much cheaper at Wal-Mart and all the other stores. You do things around your house to cut down on your electric bill and here they come with this b*** s****. We can't get ahead if we try.
Here's a response I got from the OCC:
Thank you for contacting the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, your residential utility consumer advocate. Your issue was forwarded to me so that I may address your concern(s).
In your correspondence you detailed your objections to a recently implemented plan by Ohio Edison. Specifically, you wrote that you object to the company's plan to send to all of its customers two (2) compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) and charge said customers for the bulbs over three years.
The program about which you wrote is part of the Ohio Edison's plan to comply with a recently enacted energy bill which mandates that regulated electric companies reduce the demand for electricity by 22% by 2025. The CFL plan was approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) as a means to comply with the law (Senate Bill 221), thus customers cannot opt out of the program (i.e., even if customers do not use the light bulbs they will still be charged for them on their electric bills.)
This agency, while agreeing with the concept of using CFLs as a way to reduce energy demand, does not agree with how First Energy implemented its plan. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel would have preferred that customers were issued discount coupons for CFLs so that they could choose whether or not to participate. With respect to your desire to halt this program, it is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 12, 2009 (i.e., it has already been approved by the PUCO.)
If you would like to file a complaint about the CFL program you may do so by contacting the PUCO. That agency can be reached by calling 1-800-686-7826, or via its Web site at
https://www.puc.state.oh.us/secure/PicFo...
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me. You may call toll free at 1-877-742-5622 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Cordially,
Matthew P. Jones
Consumer Services Specialist
Ohio Consumers' Counsel
I just spoke to a friend of mine that is a democrat.
He responce was, this isnt a major deal, i'm not worried about it. My god, do all dems think this way. Little bit at a time, is what I see. The mills are gone, the factories are gone, the dems are in power and now this? Very interesting.
I hate to break the news, but the democrats are against this and are fighting tooth and nail again it!!!
Chico54: You've posted twice now that the Dems are against this & are fighting it. Which Democrats and, besides Kucinich, what exactly are they doing to fight it?
This came about by the PUCO board that was mostly Republican appointees. Hagen is leading the fight to have a cease and desist order brought forth. All politicians and the PUCO are heavily funded by the Utility companies.
We truly have the best government money can buy.
Think,
You are right I did post that twice but you wouldn't think I would have to!!! I responding to other post both times!!!
Chico I wasn't calling you out for posting twice - I just would like to know who you are referring to and what they are doing. I, and I'm sure others, would like to know who is looking out for the consumers. So - can you let us know who they may be? Thanks.
Where the heck are our elected officials?? If they're sitting, doing nothing, as most often happens, we have got to get together and vote them OUT OF OFFICE. Enough is enough, we have to hold our office holders accountable and stop sitting still while our rights are being trampled on. Why do any of us have to accept and pay for something you didn't order or want.
The consumer laws are that if you get something in the mail, or something is given to you that you did not order or want, you don't have to pay for it. This started many years ago with the Post Office. If it shows up in your mail box without your consent, it's free. I have NO INTENTION of paying for this. I'm deducting $.60 from every bill.
It looks like the democrats won this one!!!!
This morning, I called the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel at (877) 742-5622. The nice gentleman at the other end said they had already received quite a few calls about this.
I did not yet call Ohio Edison at 1-800-633-4766 but I suspect that by this time it won't be necessary - they have gotten the message.