During the past 7 years I've been a customer of one of 3 local utility companies holding virtual monopoly on the consumers of Orlando [OUC]. My monthly utility bills during the previous 6 years had always ranged between $135. And $230. Until Janurary 2009 when my bill suddenly spiked to $700. I immediately called the utility company and requested a review, but instead I received a lax, quick talked and totally un-necessary explanation about why electric bills increase. After having listened forwhat seemed likean eternity I decided to just pay the bill and avoid further hassle and intelligence insults. On December after the sam, exact circumstances as the year prior, I received a bill totalling nearly $600. I immediately contacted the utilities company and after refusing to listen to another uselessexplanation and explaining the extremely strict energy rationing method followed during the past year which has led to a significan decrease of the bills, especially in the past 90 days since october the representative proceeded to indicate that the meter in my residence, despite beinga mechanical device, is read via remote anddoes not require a physicalreading to review the numbers of kilowatts used. I indicated the possibility of an error and the fact that news reports, as well as comsumer reports indicate the same, and the most elusive, ludicrous responce was elected by the representative ["we have a 94% accuracy rate], after which I indicated that this is exactly why consumer reports and the local news reportconstant errors in meter readings by local utilities companies. I was the told that those agencies are incorrect and the claims completely false. Iimmediately requested a physical reading, a review of the device and its components, as well as an audit of the past 180 days' readings in order to verify claims that the electricity used in my residence concurs with the physicalkilowatt hours readings. I also requested an independent review from the PSC [Public Service Commission] which regulates utility companies. I am also considering a complaint with the department of consumer affairs, since as past experience has shown, local authorities do not go after utility companies due to their immense lobbying powers and consumer need. For instance, while working with the very same local utility company under contract, a "whistle blower" informed OSHA ofdangerous work conditions which led to accidents and other hazzards within its premisses. OSHA called said company's CommissionHQ, informed them of a future review and inspection, and warned them of such with a 30 day notice for the impending inspection. Nice that thecriminal can now be warned by the police of the impending date of a raid, because the criminal has a yearly profit of over $700 million, which conveniently funnels revenue toallegedly strict regulating agencies. And don't try to swtch companies, because there is no such luck. One utility company servesan area without danger of a competing company offering better services. This is America for only those who have the money and power to take advantage of it...
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