Increasing utility costs having bigger impact on everyday lives

By GREG JORDAN

PRINCETON — As utility companies continue to ask for rate increases, consumers look for ways to cut back as higher costs increase the strains on their household budgets.

American Electric Power’s West Virginia subsidiaries are seeking a 43 percent rate increase. The companies recommended phasing increases in, starting with an 18.5 percent increase July 1. A monthly electric bill for 1,000 kilowatt hours would increase from $72.28 to $83.85. Rates would increase by another 14.5 percent in 2010 and 13.2 percent in 2011.

Human service providers are still seeing people needing help with utility bills they cannot pay. Capt. Aaron Goldfarb of the Salvation Army in Princeton consulted the unit’s office manager before saying that Princeton’s residents are still looking for help with electric, natural gas and other utility bills they cannot pay.

One Princeton woman was at the Salvation Army to request assistance. Menella Maxwell, 38, who is on Social Security disability, had a power bill of approximately $1,100.

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve ever been here,” she said. “I’ve had it (power) turned off since Monday.”

With one child in college and another in junior high, Menella said her family has been cutting back to save costs.

“Well, we don’t do any school activities. There has been a lot of stuff you cut back on, all the extras that really aren’t necessary,” she said.

Heating, when the power is on, has been reduced, too.

“We keep those (heaters) on 68. I never let it go up to 70 or higher unless it’s freezing, freezing cold. We wear a lot of sweats and stuff,” Menella said. She was not sure how she would cope if electric rates increase.

“I don’t know. I hate to even try to think about it. I guess to survive we’ll be staying home and cutting back on a lot of other stuff,” she said.

Rising electric and natural gas bills, real or potential, increase the need cut back the power used for heating and cooking. People visiting or working at the Mercer Mall on Thursday were being touched by rising utility costs in different ways.

One Princeton resident said her family has adjusted how they light their home and cook their meals.

“Well, we’ve cut back on our heat,” said Dawn Ann Hawks, 54, of Princeton. “We’ve lowered it from 70 degrees to 68. We’re electric, and we have all those energy saving light bulbs in our place.”

Hawks said power saving measures such as power saver light bulbs have helped cut back electric bills.

“Yes, it does. We’ve notice a difference in our bills, about $20 to $30. We’ve got them in all our light fixtures,” she said.

Rethinking daily tasks such as cooking has helped, too.

“Oh, yes. I’ve got a toaster oven, and I toast or bake in that before I’ll use my bigger oven in the kitchen,” Hawks said.

Retirees and Social Security recipients on fixed incomes take more stringent measures to reduce power consumption. Harold Shortt, 66, of Honaker, Va., said he has seen his power bills rise 17 percent.

“It really hurts the people on fixed incomes and makes it harder to make ends meet,” he said. “I know an 80-year-old woman. She has electric heat, and her fuel bill went up $100 a month. Now she has all the rooms cut off and lives more or less in two rooms. I was really touched with that. They have to do that or do away with some of their medicines.”

People spending time at the Mercer Mall said they have seen power bills go up already. One woman said she lives in a home built in 1915; it has very little insulation.

“I may be considering a smaller house,” she said. The last gas bill was more than $550.

One North Tazewell, Va. woman who declined to give her name said her family has been using a wood stove for heat.

“All you can do is cut back, and it has good heat, but the convenience isn’t there,” she said.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com