Duke Energy Says it Will Issue Credits

Duke Energy customers who receive inflated bills due to delays in meter reading will receive a credit for their troubles.

That’s according to Alex Glenn, Duke Energy Florida’s president.

“We apologize for any hardships and confusion we have caused our customers, and we will make this right,” he was quoted Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Times as saying.

Duke Energy came under fire recently when it announced streamlining operations of its meter-reading routes. What that’s all fine and well, State Sen. Jack Latvala said the company’s handling of those changes would result in it “squeezing” extra cash out of its customers.

Latvala, R-Clearwater, was responding to an announcement from Duke that it is creating a longer billing cycle on a one-time-basis for some customers affected by the route changes. Customers may also see their bill due dates change. That one-time increased bill could add an additional 12 days of electric costs, The Tampa Tribune reported.

The problem with Duke’s plan, Latvala said, is those customers who see additional days on their bill may also see higher per-kilowatt-hour electric costs. The utility charges $11.34 per 100 kilowatt hours for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours used. That rate goes up to $13.70 for each additional 100 kilowatt hours over 1,000.

Late last week, the Florida Public Service Commission announced it wanted to hear from Duke during its Sept. 4 meeting.

Customers with questions about their bill can call 800-700-8744. Duke’s customer service department can also be reached via an online form.

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See Also:

• Duke Energy is Putting the ‘Squeeze’ on Customers Senator Says
• Duke Energy Has to Answer for Rate Charges