By Emerson Drake
11/9/10
Twelve people came to the Podium to day to discuss the pending MID electric rate increases but they weren’t as adamant as MID Director Cecil Hensley, who stated “You people act like a rate increase is inevitable, well I don’t agree with that.”
Representatives from Catholic Charities spoke on behalf of those less fortunate saying most couldn’t afford a rate increase now. Jenny Konoyer said she represented seniors and they weren’t getting a 7% social security increase so how could afford a 7% electric rate increase.
Jeremiah Williams came forward to express admiration for the job the MID Board was doing. And Joy Madison who was representing the Modesto Chamber of Commerce spoke of concern regarding any rate increase and the negative effect it would have on the business community.
Danny Gottleb distributed information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration which showed California as having some of the highest rates in the country with MID’s current rate of .17 ½ cents being above the state average.
Tom Van Groningen yet again reminded everyone that the rate payers had to foot the bill for the CARE program, which is state mandated and helps people on medical life support and low income individuals.Interestingly enough the roughly 16,000 people utilizing the CARE program are only about 2/3 of the people eligible for it.
Emerson Drake thanked the MID Board for pushing the “new” smart meter program forward.
This is to sell off-peak usage of power at a reduced cost since peak power cost many times more than off-peak. So in essence the small electric off-peak users are subsidizing the large users right now.
When Director Hensley, who has taken a renewed sense of energy since former Director Mike Serpa’s departure, said that ratepayers shouldn’t give up on having no increase in 2011 and a very small one in 2012 several members of the audience applauded causing Director Van Groningen to verbally explode in a fit of pique (anger).
Van Groningen said the audience was being uncivil and he protested to the Boards President John Kidd.Van Groningen was later taken to task during the “For the Good of the District” portion of the meeting regarding his lack of civility and it was explained to Van Groningen the difference between maintaining decorum( the audiences applause) and his ( Van Groningen’s )lack of civility.
The Board will meet again in two weeks to discuss and the rates further.
