Who Loves JEA?

[BridgeTroll]

The only relevant fact is that we own this utility, and we can decide how it is run, and who it serves.

Awesome... we can agree on this!  The ONLY reason I bring it up... is the persistent lamentations that JEA is a monopoly.  I am simply replying that virtually ALL utilities are monopolies... whether public or private... and that taxpayer owned utilities are hardly unique to Duval county.

I also mention that at least now... consumers can actually choose to go off the grid and supply their own power.

Good morning Stephen...

As just shown above, not all utilities are monopolies.

12 states have already deregulated and residents can choose their provider. Expect this trend to continue.

I do... and I think it is great.  Monopolies run by anybody... including the government... are not good for anybody.  I am really happy to see that you embrace deregulation of this industry...

[cityimrov]

The only relevant fact is that we own this utility, and we can decide how it is run, and who it serves.

Awesome... we can agree on this!  The ONLY reason I bring it up... is the persistent lamentations that JEA is a monopoly.  I am simply replying that virtually ALL utilities are monopolies... whether public or private... and that taxpayer owned utilities are hardly unique to Duval county.

I also mention that at least now... consumers can actually choose to go off the grid and supply their own power.

Good morning Stephen...

Good Morning Bridge.  So now that youve mentioned that other power companies are monopolies, what point are you trying to prove?

That doesnt apply at all to the management of the one that we do own, or the inappropriate decision on the part of the Board of Directors to favor the interests of the bondholders over the interests of the public.

Perhaps you can explain how----in any way---the existence of other monopolies has a bearing on our publicly owned utility in Jacksonville?

The big counterargument against this is, if you don't make the bondholders happy, the bondholders won't lend you any money or will lend you money at a gigantic interest rate.  If you don't have bonds, that means you have to self-finance the project yourself and for a billion dollar power facility, that can be very expensive to do.

What's the counter-counter augment against this? 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

12 of the 48 contiguous states already allow this, BT. Believe it or not Texas led the way on this one;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deregulation_of_the_Texas_electricity_market

You don't really do much reading before digging your heels in on these arguments, do you?

The last sentence of the opening paragraph:  

Energy prices in Texas have increased substantially since deregulation.[1][2][3]

Should we peruse further down the wikipedia article and see how competition lowered the price?

1.  ^ Deregulation Jolts Texas Electric Bills (Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2008)
       http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121625744742160575.html?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.111415

2. ^ http://www.khou.com/business/stories/khou080528_ac_energyprices.35063d4b.html <BAD LINK>

3.  ^ Shocking electricity prices follow deregulation
      http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2007-08-09-power-prices_N.htm

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

As just shown above, not all utilities are monopolies.

12 states have already deregulated and residents can choose their provider. Expect this trend to continue.

Some nuggets in no particular order....

While average prices rose 21% in regulated states from 2002 to 2006, they leapt 36% in deregulated states where rate caps expired, according to a study by Ken Rose, senior fellow at the Institute of Public Utilities at Michigan State University.

Many states are now putting their plan to deregulate on hold because lower rates have yet to be achieved in any of the deregulated states.

When Texas lawmakers agreed to open the state's power markets to competition back in 1999, one promise was on the tip of many tongues â€" lower prices.

"Competition in the electric industry will benefit Texans by reducing monthly rates and offering consumers more choices about the power they use," then-Gov.
George W. Bush said at the time.

Then-state Sen. David Sibley, who was a key author of the bill, put the promise more bluntly:

''If all consumers don't benefit from this, we will have wasted our time and failed our constituency," he said.

Eight years later, many consumers are calling deregulation just that â€" a failed waste of time.

Now most of these articles were written from '06 to '08, so maybe they have it all figured out now.

[CS Foltz]

Gentle people, one question that I have is regarding the proposed "Nuclear" site up Georgia way that JEA has bought into......last I heard was 1.3 Billion Dollars of liability. This is due to the deep pockets of the public who have no option for alternative power source. If I were only rich enough, I would have no choice but to consider going full solar or self contained as to a power generation situation......if I were ever to win the big one, JEA look out!

[77danj7]

JEA has heard us!

They are offering workshops to give us advice on energy usage!

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=190615&catid=3

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's been a cold, long winter for north Florida, and the next week will bring more temperatures in the 30s, indicating the warm weather isn't on its way yet.

The low temperatures mean compromising between comfort and cost; heating bills are high.

Beginning this evening, JEA is hosting several workshops to help residents learn how to better manage home energy usage.

The workshops will be held at the following Jacksonville Public Library locations and times:

Today, 6 - 8 p.m., West Regional Library
Tues., Feb. 15, 10 a.m. - noon, Mandarin Regional Library
Sat., Feb. 19, 10 a.m. - noon, Beaches Regional Library
Sat., Feb. 26, 10 a.m. - noon, Main Library
At the workshops, efficiency experts will offer tips to trim costs and save energy throughout the home, as well as incentives that can help offset costs.

Also at those four libraries, JEA is offering free home energy evaluation kits for anyone with a library card. Experts will be on hand to show how the kits work.

JEA's website offers a home energy analyzer that also offers advice on maximizing a home's energy efficiency.



what a great idea...

[ChriswUfGator]

The problem, as has been repeatedly discussed, isn't usage. It's unethical billing practices, and arbitrary and excessive deposit requirements. This "home energy workshop" crap is simply more of JEA's "Use Less, We'll Still Find a Way to Charge More!" B.S.

[77danj7]

The problem, as has been repeatedly discussed, isn't usage. It's unethical billing practices, and arbitrary and excessive deposit requirements. This "home energy workshop" crap is simply more of JEA's "Use Less, We'll Still Find a Way to Charge More!" B.S.

I know that...JEA's response to public outrage is simply this workshop.  That is what is great...they are so out of touch

[ChriswUfGator]

The problem, as has been repeatedly discussed, isn't usage. It's unethical billing practices, and arbitrary and excessive deposit requirements. This "home energy workshop" crap is simply more of JEA's "Use Less, We'll Still Find a Way to Charge More!" B.S.

I know that...JEA's response to public outrage is simply this workshop.  That is what is great...they are so out of touch

I figured that's what you meant, I was just grousing because they're covering up what they're doing. Their M.O. lately is to blame us for increased consumption, when in reality consumption is the same and the price has skyrocketed. I wonder how many people fall for this B.S.?

[77danj7]

Im sure the meetings will be packed! 

[Lunican]

Beginning this evening, JEA is hosting several workshops to help residents learn how to better manage home energy usage.

I decided to conserve electricity and water last month and here is what happened...

Electric charges are 14.8 cents per kWh.

Water consumption at zero gallons costs $36.70.

[ChriswUfGator]

It's exactly what we've been saying all along.

Use more, we'll charge you more. Use less, and we'll still find a way to charge you more!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Why not.

Customer Charge
Fixed monthly cost of providing service to your home. JEA must maintain your meter(s), pipes and wires whether or not electricity, water or sewer services are used.

Monthly Cost - $18.29(water) & $15.51(sewage)+ Taxes and Franchise Fees(City Mandated)


I assume you have your irrigation running through your meter since you have a 3/4" meter (5/8" is standard for residential).  The 3/4" meter is costing you about $11.27/month for nothing.

[Timkin]

Why are they charging 40 bucks a month for people to not use any water?

Seems like straight up thievery.

I have heard about a flat-rate charge regardless if power was used or not.  How is that legal?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I have heard about a flat-rate charge regardless if power was used or not.  How is that legal?

You're kidding right?

What's your cable bill every month?  How much TV did you watch?

What's your phone bill every month?  How many minutes did you use?

What's your natural gas bill every month?  Did they even fill your tank again?