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HELPING THE ELDERLY

HELPING THE ELDERLY . An Age-Old Battle David Bonar Delaware Public Advocate. Affordability. One wastewater utility allowed to increase rates from $75/month to $85/month (phased over two years)

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HELPING THE ELDERLY

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  1. HELPING THE ELDERLY An Age-Old Battle David Bonar Delaware Public Advocate

  2. Affordability • One wastewater utility allowed to increase rates from $75/month to $85/month (phased over two years) • Second largest water utility just filed for a 14% increase in rates (prior increase of more than 16% was approved summer 2012) • Increase in natural gas base rates added $5.34 per month to the average residential customer bill • Electric utility seeking monthly increase for average residential customer of $7.60 ($5.36 already in rates) • Same utility was granted a $22 million increase in January 2013, adding $4,49 to the average residential customer • Distribution rate increases exclude other approved increases (renewable portfolio compliance costs, AMI deployment costs, DR programs)

  3. Essential Services • Elderly population more sensitive to extreme weather conditions • Electric and natural gas services are critical to health and safety of the elderly • Even brief periods without service can be harmful or fatal for elderly • Reluctance of many elderly to seek assistance

  4. Consumer Advocate Response • Continue to advocate for lowest reasonable rates consistent with safe and reliable service • Work with assistance agencies to reach as many sensitive populations as possible • Do a better job of educating legislatures about impacts of various laws on utility rates • Focus outreach efforts on reaching isolated populations, especially regarding efficiency programs and new technologies

  5. Final thoughts • Customers can no longer be looked at as just “ratepayers” • Not all elderly are on a “fixed income” and “technophobes” – stop coddling them • Many are able and willing – and have the financial means - to implement new technologies • Need to consider re-segmentation of customer groups to reflect realities of where we are today, not where we were many years ago

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