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Entergy to 'significantly' hike rates
Published Thursday, June 19, 2008
NATCHEZ — As if high gas prices were not bad enough, Entergy customers can expect a rate hike in the near future.
The company’s quarterly fuel adjustments have been sent to the Mississippi Public Service Commission for approval, but the new rates have not yet been set, said Stephen Caruthers, Entergy customer service manager.
“It’s hard for me to say right now what a percentage would be but I only feel comfortable saying it’s going to be a fairly significant increase,” he said.
Entergy uses a combination of coal, natural gas and nuclear power to produce electricity and the rising cost of natural gas is the major source of the rising costs.
“Fuel cost is not a profit or loss cost for Entergy, it’s a pass through cost,” Caruthers said. “It’s not like Entergy said we want to make more money so we’re going to make the customer pay more.”
The price increase will not just effect residential customers, Caruthers said.
“This fuel adjustment affects every type of customer from the elderly to a single parent to a small business, even to big industrial type customers,” Caruthers said.
Just like watching how much you drive to combat rising gas prices, you need to watch you electricity at home, Caruthers said, especially air conditioning.
According to an Entergy news release, up to 55 percent of electricity cost can come from air conditioning, which should be used as little as possible in order to reduce costs.
“If that means using more ceiling fans or oscillating fans it’s time to pull those out of the closet,” Caruthers said.
Another way to save money on energy is to insulate your home. This may cost a little more, but it will save money in the long run, Caruthers said.
Erin Meyers, owner of Sun, Moon and Stars, said she has started turning the air conditioning off at night and opening the doors when it is nice outside to save on energy cost. But the upcoming increase still will not be easy to handle.
“It’s going to hurt,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s going to hurt as much as the gas.”
The biggest concern for Meyers is the combination of gas prices and energy cost, which she said may keep people from shopping.
The price increase will also hurt Meyers as a residential customer, especially now that she has two teenagers at home all day, she said.
“My mother used to have a sign,” she said. “If you’re hot take something off. If you’re cold put something on. Touch this thermostat and you die.”
Other residents were more upset about the price increase.
Leslie Lee Hence said the rising price of gas, water and now power is too much for a lot of people.
“It’s just like the lights and the gas bill have gotten outrageous,” Hence said. “The way they’re treating us is just wrong.”
Comments
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All of our goverment officals are doing just fine. They don,t pay any attention to rate increases because it doesn,t affect them...They stealing and the thugging will increase 3 fold in a short time,
Posted by Sarge (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so sad for the elderly who are all on fixed incomes and can't afford another rate hike! They sit inside their homes and nearly burn up so they will have enough money to buy much needed medicine and food!!!
When will all these money hungry businesses stop gouging the very people that keep their sorry butts in business????
Rediculous!!!
Posted by natchezlady1 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretty soon, one of our government agencies will find a way to charge us for the oxygen we breathe!!! Imagine not paying that bill!! Would be a good source of getting rid of the poor, wouldn't it !!!! (this is satirical, people. Only a mire exaggeration to reflect upon our price gouging nation)
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well h$LL, I am in menopause and I burn up all the time. I keep my thermostat set og 70 degrees, I use ceiling fans and I bought a fan on a stand...I still sweat.
this is going to be really rough to pay even higher bills.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
natchezlady1, there is already a plan in place to tax us for breathing...not on the oxygen we breathe in but on the carbon dioxide we breathe out. That is what carbon credits are.
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What about the hydro plant? I don't see it, as having been listed.
Posted by sparky018 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 3:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go again with price gouging! I guess i will be looking for a home in Mexico. I hear it is not as nice as the US but it is cheaper to live! O, HELLO ALL and i mean it!
Posted by eaglebe (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Like the song in Daddy's Long Legs- "Something Gotta Give". Everything is increasing except my paycheck. And if it does, the government is going to make doggone sure I won't see it. HI Ho,Hi Ho, IT IS off to work I go.
Posted by hellcat (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everything from gas to rent to groceries has gone up, but the pay hasn't. I feel sorry for the elderly also and single mothers who are working minimum wage trying their best to make it. I think they want these people on government assistance. When I moved here you could get a decent house for about 2-250 a month, a really nice house for about 3-350....these prices have doubled and sometimes tripled. Add to that the other outrageous price hikes in commodities and compare that to what the minimum wage is even at it's highest and it's not enough to live on. Not everyone is benefitting from the "oil boom" most are suffering. While it is true that the government didn't give a hoot about the 50,000+ people that lost their jobs when the bottom fell out in the oil business back in the 80's so now the oil people are having their comeuppance. Is this really deserving of hurting the general population with their pettyness?
Posted by colescreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there any truth to the old rumors about the oil companies buying up the patents on fuel efficient cars?
Posted by LdyBreez (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well folks this might be one of the last times you hear from me. I will have to cut internet and phone, I already cut cable and I don't have direct tv or anything like that so can't cut corners there. I stopped the paper and read it here. The girls and I already don't go out to eat we cut that out too. My business will have to be closed since I build websites and maintain them from my home. There isn't anything else I can cut. After I have paid the bills that I already have by the middle of the month I am broke. If the cost of electricity goes up I wont be able to pay it. Going to be hard sitting in a hot dark house. Wonder how I am going to feed my children with no refridgerator. I have a gas stove I can hook up... and thank goodness my water heaters are gas, course in the heat of the summer cool baths will feel good.
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take heart LdyBreez. I will pray for you and your girls. Times are hard. I really hope you do not have to loose your job. I too am about to start cutting out all of the "extras". We are in Vidalia, and our elec. has not gone up yet that I am aware of. I am sure it will VERY soon though.
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have several elderly woman in my neighborhood that I will have to keep an eye on. I do feel bad for them. They are struggling as it is without the elec. going sky high.
Posted by BOBCAT1974 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't our President of the good ole U.S.A. do something?Like put a freeze on the gas prices.It seems like the rich are getting richer.I voted for Bush both times,what a let down it's been.I know that he's got people telling him what to do.The same people that helped to put him in office ,he's letting all of us down.When his term is finished people are not going to look at him as a very good President.Why can't he atleast go out with a bang,like help fight for his people,fight against this gas increase,groceries,and all the other bills that is taking a hike in going up.You see these people are not worried about us,because they have so much money it doesn't matter to them because they can pay there bills without thinking about it.This is really a sad world. And gonna get worse.My prayers are with everyone.We do have a higher power that can do something about all of this.We just have to beleive that it will all work itself out.
Posted by progressntz81 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the answer to all of your complaints? Sounds like y'all want someone else to fix the problem. Maybe the government? It is ridiculous how dependant the American people have become on their government. It is no one's fault but our own that the price of crude is sky rocketing. We've built our lives and cities around automobiles that are fueled by a limited resource. I'm sorry but big oil did not force you to buy a SUV, live so far from work you have to drive, build bigger houses, etc.. All of these things we did on the stupid assumption that we will always have and are entitled to cheap oil. GROW UP!
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bush is an IDIOT!!!
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
¡es verdad, lowrider! la idiota.....
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't own a SUV; I drive a small 5 speed Toyota truck and it is a good gas saver. But I still don't like the way gas, groceries, and everything else has gone up. I live less than 3 miles from my job; however, I can't walk to work because I have a 3 yr old that goes to daycare so the vehicle is a necessity. My income does not increase because the cost of living increases so I am having to cut back on a few things also. So far, so good but I know it will get worse.
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, my house is very small also, less than 900 square feet.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bobcat, lowrider, bobaloo, shame on all three of you for your remarks about the president. I can only believe you have not paid any attention to the newscast in the last few days. Every move our president tries to make the Democrats in congress cut him down. We, ourselves are to blame for what is going on. We are a nation of spoiled rotten to the core people that have lived lives beyond our means. We have always lived with champagne in our hands when we did not even have beer money in our pockets. We have lived from day to day on credit thinking we wil pay for it tomorrow. Well.... hello.... tomorrow is here... Wake up!!!! Stop trying to lay the blame on someone other than yourself and get with the program. Of course all the major companies are going to charge you for their services. They have watched as we all have pilfered our resources, squandered our money in so many inane directions, that they figure they can get a bigger slice of the pie. Why not, I'd do the same and so would you if you were one of the leading money grabbers. Until you have enough guts to stand in front of a mirror and look yourself in the eye and put the blame where it belongs (the face you're looking at) it's gonna get worse. And believe it or not, it's all your fault. Bush is just simply one human being. He cannot fix every American's stupid faults when they continue to travel the road in stupidity as we are doing. You can make a difference when you learn to economize and stop all the wasteful spending. I am one of those elderly people you feel sorry for. Well, don't, because I brought it on myself. I too, was one of those spoiled rotten imbeciles that sat on my hinny while the nation was going to hell in a hand bag and did not do anything to help save it. I'm as guilty as you and it's not a good feeling. Get with it people and stop digging the hole deeper!!!!!!! There can be a better tomorrow, but only when we change our way of living.
Posted by snatchez (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
when MP and L built the nuclear power plant they said that we would have to pay for the nuclear power plant, but that we would never have to face high energy prices. Another lie, but this area has a good public service commissioner in Lynn Posey. Call him and complain.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Social Security and Disability payments do not increase but once a year and then the take-outs increase as well. You either end up with .30 a month more or $2.00 less. Go figure.
The American Revolution needs to be repeated!!! How much more can we be taxed, taken advantage of, and over looked?
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's have Natchez Tea Party!!!! Use the Mississppi River instead of the ocean.
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course, we would have to use something other than TEA! Mmmm...Any suggestions?
Posted by BurningStar (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to actually start USING solar power (and others) on a regular basis. There's solar power and magnetic power, etc. It doesn't even make sense to keep using some of the stuff we use, when we could get energy and fuels in ways that are cleaner and more efficient.
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on in your testimonial Destiny! No shame in stating what one feels about a topic. No shame to me, no shame to you. i don't lay blame on anyone.
And Bush is still and idiot.......
but then again, so are we as a people to buy into all the deception over the years, and mis-information fed to us by our Govt. ran by big biz, all parties included.
Posted by ghost (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how could you elect a guy AGAIN that wasnt even suppose to be President the first time. HE DIDNT EVEN WIN THE POPULAR VOTE! ole brother Jeb helped him win Florida...(how convienent). This country has been collapsing for quite sometime. Im glad the citizens of America are finally waking up. LETS START A RIOT!! lol
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll simply refer to my prior comment, Bush is an IDIOT!!!
Good point thou Bobaloo.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(Destiny) Thanks and amen!
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live on a fixed income also. And I know things are going to get very tight with the cost of everything going up. No cost of liveing raise before Jan.. BUt i CANT blame everything onBush when we have a demorat run congress that is doing absolutly nothing except block everything the president tries to do. McCain all the way!!!!
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I never stated that Bush was wrong or even that it was his fault. I just think he's an Idiot!!!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't blame Bush, that's true. The congress is run by the Democrats and Bush and the Democrats keep vetoing each other out of spite. None of them seem to really care about the ordinary people who make up our great nation. I think it's time we took the nation back, but it may be to late. Enkikur - you're on!
Posted by lilredhead (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom I agree. It is time that the Democrats and Republicans stop fighting and do what they were elected to do.
Posted by swheart88 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone given it any thought that the oil companies are terrorists? They are killing this country from the inside. I can't think of a better way for them to take America down. We are all scared. We don't know what is going to happen next. But I do know this.... If the utilities go up, there are going to be alot of elderly people dying of a heat stroke. So there are going to be casualties here in the U.S. I wish there were something we could do to stop the big oil companies from ruining our great Nation.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know swheart88, that's part of the plan of population control. Take out the weak, the old, the helpless.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put refineries(sp) here...That would help...Stop giving to these other countries!!! Ok they hungry i hate it but so is alot of elderly here in the USA..Why give to them? Why not keep that money here pay the ederlies utility bill, and buy there medicines we would still have money left over...
Burns my a@@ that the usa will give billions to those other countries and leave our people to fend for themselves! Makes no durn sense at all....Let the ones who have worked all there lives in the usa do without so we can give the ones in another country something..That is like taking out of your families mouth to give to someone else who isnt even trying to help themselves...
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep your guns loaded,barb wire around your yard,the latest craze is people crawling under you vehicle,punching a hole in your gas tank and filling gas cans,then running off. leaving you and the insurance company with a bill for a new gas tank..and don,t say it,s not going to happen. It,s just not happened here YET,,,as far as i,ve heard,but it,s the YET,s that getcha.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The things that make you go hmm texasranger.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you to the nice people who understand what I'm trying to say. It's easy to say what you want to hear, but when you try to speak the truth, it chokes you up. The truth is very, very hard to hear, but it has to be said at times to get a point across and wake some people, who are good people, to what is really the truth. If we as a whole do not wake up to the truth we are a lost nation. It takes each individual to make a whole, to stand up and say "We have had enough" and prove it by becoming more aware of our everyday surroundings. When we reach that point we can go national and from there we can go global. We just have to stand together and make our demands to be treated as we hard working Americans deserve. But first of all the 'whole' has to have a plan of counter attack.
Posted by greenupnatchez (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To Destiny: Short term thinking and shorter term real history. The Democrats have only been in control of congress for one and one half year. When we had a Democratic president the Republicans gained and kept control of congress until one and one half years ago and until then we have had poor old George, last check a Republican. It is the Republicans that have stiffled any improvement in alternative energy sources since the Republican's Great and Honorable St. Ronald Reagan ripped the solar water heaters off the Whitehouse . The only thing that the Democrats have been able to do to support alternative energy is to block fossil fuels that have caused such problems since their onset and the burning of which has caused the globe to warm over.
P.S. Using "Nucular" energy came about indirectly by exploiting the atom to kill two hundred thousand people and then threaten the rest of the world to do the same, if they did not do what we wanted them to do. Nuclear energy is not the answer until we don't have to offer $300,000,000 to come up with a better battery.
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