An open letter to B.C. Hydro.
I must inform you that I am out of work, broke and busted. Therefore I am forced to let you in on a secret that most all B.C. residents will be letting you know shortly, I'm sure. I can't possibly pay your bill of $238.01, so I must recalculate what I really owe you. I hope you are in the position to write off the costs you are overcharging me for and maybe you could make up my bill's shortfall out of the ICBC gouging the government is clawing back.
First. I can't pay your late charge, I will be deducting that off this bill, carry it forward for a brighter day. Sorry, you lose $4.06.
Second, I can't pay your Rate Rider of one per cent, which is for "unexpected costs and rate fluctuations from higher-than-forecast market prices."
Your poor planning is not in my budget anymore. Reduce the bill by $2.20.
Third, you supply me power at $0.05910 for some times, and $0.08270 for other times. I can't use more of your expensive rate power anymore, so please send me only your cheaper version from now on, as I can only pay for the cheaper power version.
So, as of this bill, remove $38.92.
Fourth, I can not pay for your "Clean Energy Fund Levy." I can barely afford food for my family, I can't "fund investment and innovation in clean and alternative energy" at this time. Take away the $0.89.
And finally, I am going to be sending a copy of this letter to a bunch of B.C. newspapers, hoping they will print it, so all B.C. residents can follow this example. I can't afford your rates, and I'm sure most families out there can't either. We helped build this province, we can't afford to, at this time, keep subsidizing all the rest who did not, and we now need some help?
My bill of $238.01 will be less $46.07, for the enclosed cheque of $191.94. Please also send someone around to help fill out the "Power Smart Energy Conservation Assistance Program" form, ASAP, as I am in dire need of help.
I hope others also look to get this assistance program, some of whom may be reading this letter in their newspapers and are just as tired of your bull, oops, I mean bills. Hopefully they will also follow this example.
Garth Glassel
Greendale
