RutlandHerald.com - We Are Vermont

CVPS seeks nearly 6 percent rate hike

10:25 a.m.



Toolbox

Staff Report - Published: November 2, 2009

Central Vermont Public Service Corp. is seeking a nearly 6 percent rate increase.

CVPS today asked the Public Service Board for a 5.91 percent rate hike under the company’s alternative regulation plan.

CVPS said even with the rate increase the company’s rates would remain among the lowest of major utilities in New England.








READER COMMENTS


What happened to cheap yankee power most of you were spouting off about? Oh yeah its a joke...
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Nov 6, 2009, 2:28 pm EST

report this comment


the answers to all this can be found at the back end of a cow. which is where most folks under the DOME should be. I am for renewable energy but it should be local not just some entity coming in here to grab the market and the mony!! what udder nonsens, sorry bout the spelling but thats the best vermont could do for me when i went to school.
-- Posted by Wayne Davis on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 10:42 pm EST

report this comment


Well the state should step in, tell CVPS to CUT the pay of the 6 and 7 figure pay checks to CVPS and the subsidiaries (such as Duke aka Catamount). No increases until CVPS can be responsible enough to keep their payroll in control.
-- Posted by Kathleen Baker on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 6:27 pm EST

report this comment


"The very fact that CVPS said they need to raise their rates due the three reasons, the first being the price of POWER has everything to do with the newly passed legislative masterpiece as Jim has tried tirelessly to point out.

Why do you think POWER costs more?

Duh!"

Oh, Allen... sometimes it pays to read the entire thread before jumping in.

A poster here spoke directly to Steve Costello from CVPS and asked WHY this rate increase was requested. Scroll down and read for yourself.

(Duh.)
-- Posted by That Guy on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 4:10 pm EST

report this comment


That Guys right, for once I have to agree that it seems this rate increase has nothing to do with the legislatures alternate energy bill. So that means there's another rate increase hanging out there for when CVPS is forced to buy alternate energy that apparently they don't need becasue as CVPS stated part of the present increase request is do to a surplus of energy they cannot sell. Looks like the legislature found another way to back door tax the people.
-- Posted by ex-vermonter None on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 3:51 pm EST

report this comment


The very fact that CVPS said they need to raise their rates due the three reasons, the first being the price of POWER has everything to do with the newly passed legislative masterpiece as Jim has tried tirelessly to point out.

Why do you think POWER costs more?

Duh!
-- Posted by Allen Kuusela on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 1:06 pm EST

report this comment


Hey! I thought VY was supposed to keep the electric rates down!
I guess its gonna cost more no matter what eh. I knew that actually. Shut VY down or keep it open and we are still gonna pay more and more.
So again, why do we NEED nuke power? How is it going to help us?
-- Posted by Dr. Gonzo on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 12:45 pm EST

report this comment


Thanks for confirmation of your D-bag status. Again you prove your inability to grasp reality. Your lemon grass, tofu sprout sandwich is ready for you now.
-- Posted by Back Nine on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 12:36 pm EST

report this comment


More bobbing and weaving from Back Nine Eckhardt.

Nothing you write can change the facts here:

Jim Eckhardt blamed CVPS's just-released requested rate increase on the Renewable Energy Bill and the "uber-liberal legislate" you both excoriate.

Turns out this rate increase has NOTHING to do with this bill. NOTHING.

No amount of shuck and jive from Jim or -- ahem -- "you" can change that fact.

Now go make me a sandwich.
-- Posted by That Guy on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 11:28 am EST

report this comment


That Guy, with your access to previous posts here on these forums (even though you don't work at the Herald) why don't you retrieve the multiple posts Jim Eckhardt & I (and others) published on this here forum pertaining to the danger of the renewable energy bill. We and others were on the record clearly stating the problem rests with the uber-liberal legislature in passing this bad bill. Don't you be guilty That Guy of your own revisionist history now...Man up and post comments we all made when the energy battle was raging on. Time to put your petty differences aside my blogger friend. Do the right thing as painful as it is for you!
-- Posted by Back Nine on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 11:15 am EST

report this comment


Mr. Broyles,

Thank you for calling Steve Costello. Costello's words reveal what Jim Eckhardt refuses to believe:

NONE of the current requested CVPS rate increase is due to the recently-passed Renewable Energy Bill.

NONE of it.
-- Posted by That Guy on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 8:45 am EST

report this comment


"TG where did I post the WHOLE increase was due to increased power costs?"

Great question, Jim Eckhardt. I think I'll let a Mr. Jim Eckhardt answer you for me -- capitalization is mine:

"Where were all you people when THE LEGISLATURE recently passed a RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL that guaranteed rates of up to 30 cents per KwH to renewable projects? Seriously, you are wondering WHY CVPS IS ASKING FOR AN INCREASE? They pay just over 4 cents per KwH. The Legislature in their infinite wisdom just told CVPS to start paying 30 cents per KwH and you thought your rates weren't going to go up? Where did you think the money was going to come from? YOU WANT TO BLAME SOMEONE FOR THIS INCREASE, BLAME THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT VOTED FOR THIS BILL. DON'T BLAME THE COMPANY for passing on the increase FOR WHAT YOUR LEGISLATURE DID FOR YOU. Its a feel good Bill so how do you feel? You blamed everyone in your postings except THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR IT."

Please, Jim, continue your backpedaling and revisionist history and "but... but... buts". It's quite amusing.
-- Posted by That Guy on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, 8:40 am EST

report this comment


After reading the CVPS headline and subsequently the online comments, I decided to pick up the phone and call Steve Costello, spokesman for the utility company today, and get an answer from the proverbial horse's mouth. The long and short of it is, yes Vermont's renewable energy projects will result in higher rates for consumers. This 6% rate increase talked about here is due to exisitng market buying conditions (evidently CVPS has more power then they can sell) and other tranmission and service costs. As Mr. Costello stated eloquently today, "if we pay 4 cents a kilowatt from Entergy, that is what we charge the consumer, when we start buying more expensive 20-30 cent kilowatt power, those rates will be passed through as well". I am paraphrasing Mr. Costello, but the point is, Jim Eckhardt is spot on with his assumption that once the renewable energy projects come on line, CVPS will take their pro-rata share of the power at the rates the legislature signed off on.

My apologies to Mr. Smathers for cutting and pasting from a renewable energy opinion piece published last week on another network as they say in TV land..but it's worth the read..

Written by Art Wolfe

As any principles of economics student knows, when the supply of something exceeds the price needed to bring a certain quantity to market, it means that the price is higher than it needed to be.


And the price that the state set for renewables was so high that according to one person involved in the program

We were getting calls from all over the world, Germany, other places that have large solar programs, with foreign investors, developers trying to find out about the Vermont program

If the state of Vermont said it would pay $20 a pound for tomatoes, they'd have the same response. What none of the headlines, or stories, mention, is that what this means is that the state overpaid for the 50 megawatts of power it wants to buy.

The headline that should have been written, but wasn't, is

State Overpays for Electricity: Customers' Rates to Be Higher Than Needed to Attract Renewable Investment

It's kind of like a reverse stimulus program: Take money out of people's pockets and give it to a favored group of businesses. Some Vermont politicians would call that "corporate welfare." But not in this case.

The legislation that enabled this program was badly conceived and ignored basic economic principles. The state should have had an auction for renewables so that it would pay as low a price as possible for a fixed quantity of electricity generated by renewables. That would have given the state the same amount of renewable power at the lowest possible cost, instead of at the high price set in the legislation.

These are the facts as I know them..
-- Posted by Bradford Broyles on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 6:22 pm EST

report this comment


That Guy,

Your arguments might be more persuasive or appealing if you didn't sound like such a D-bag. You're a bright guy, but you are not nearly as intelligent as you think you are. You are specious.

By the way, you need to keep your punctuation inside the quotation marks-- including single words.

Jim, you've acquired quite the online stalker. You must be doing something right. However, I would just ignore his ignorant and fallacy-ridden rants going forward. He does nothing for these discussions except scream, "Lookee me! Lookee me!"
-- Posted by Ned Frost on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 5:16 pm EST

report this comment


Here he goes again expanding on my posts to suit his agenda. TG where did I post the WHOLE increase was due to increased power costs? How can you not understand that when a company has to pay 30 cents for somehting that used to cost 4 cents that their costs are going to go up? Even if it is only forced to buy small amounts of it. Read this, http://www.vermontbiz.com/news/november/central-vermont-public-service-seeks-591-percent-rate-increase

All these little increases in Vermont's cost of living is strangling the life out of the businesses of Vermont. What seems like a small increase to residential customers is a large increase to commercial customers. Yes, our power costs are lower in this State then surrounding States, but, now we even want to take that so called benefit away.

As for Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc. You don't know a thing about how I vote. If you did you would probably be quiet. Business needs some serious help right now in this State. Sure its a slight increase in our electric bills, but, when you mix it in with the huge increases we are seeing in funding Catamount (which is going further in the hole), the doubling or more of SUTA and FUTA taxes (unemployment Fund), property and school taxes skyrocketing, etc., etc., it spells disaster for more and more businesses and Vermonts citizens. Do you not see the shape this State is in? Do you think we have built a path for recovery? Its getting worse and what does our Legislature do? They talk about feel good legislation instead of working to get us out of this mess. Business is the answer not the problem and people need to see that.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 4:42 pm EST

report this comment


Yes, great minds come up with NEW ideas... they don't INVENT motives to satisfy an agenda.

Thank you, by the way, for inadvertently proving my point: we don't KNOW what the increase in power cost -- which is nothing new for CVPS rate increase requests -- is coming from.

CVPS has publicly stated that roughly 75% of the increase -- roughly 4.4% -- is derived from power costs PLUS transmission costs PLUS reliability costs.

Hell, even if every last penny of the power cost increases WERE derived directly from that renewable energy bill, it would amount to -- what? -- a one percent increase? One and a half percent?

And yet Jim "Don Quixote" Eckhardt wants us all to believe -- with no proof, with no evidence of ANY kind, save his own angry insistence -- that the increase is entirely due to renewable energy.

Don't believe me? Here's what he wrote in his very first post on this thread:

"You want to blame someone for this increase, blame the members of the Legislature that voted for this bill."

That's the end of the story, as far as Jimbo's concerned.

Now, is he a outright liar, knowing full well that you can't "blame" this Legislature for the whole increase when -- even according to CVPS -- "power costs", whatever the hell they are, make up a small slice of that 5.91% increase? Is he simply clueless, and his calculator isn't working right now? Is he simply grinding his axe against a Democratic Legislature he despises, and is seeking to dishonestly represent this CVPS increase as the direct "fault" of people he'd like to see voted out of office?

My guess is that the answer to all three questions is "yes". Some local "leader", huh?
-- Posted by That Guy on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 2:53 pm EST

report this comment


I've seen you bashing people MANY times ex vermonter none, get off your high horse and stop being a hypocrite
-- Posted by None None on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 2:40 pm EST

report this comment


I read your last post That Guy and as usual you failed to answer the simple question of what is the increase in power cost being derived from. I think that's a very resonable question. You took a shot at me and a shot at Jim E. yet failed to answer the simple question. Apparently your google search couldn't turn up an answer for you so you resorted to bashing. Great minds come up with new ideas, small minds insult.
-- Posted by ex-vermonter None on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 1:47 pm EST

report this comment


Why, Ex-V... you're not a Vermonter at all, anymore. Or haven't you checked your screen name recently?

Where's the increase in power cost coming from? Heck, you don't even need to ask! According to Jim Eckhardt, it's a direct result of the Renewable Energy Bill!

Now, keep in mind; as usual, Jim has no proof of this, nothing to back himself up, nothing to share with the rest of the class, and absolutely no explanation as to why CVPS ever needed rate increases to cover "power costs" before there ever even WAS a renewable energy bill (his only response on that subject was a supremely lame "I am not discussing what they did or didn't do in past years" remark, which is kinda like Mark McGwire telling Congress that he wasn't there to "talk about the past"... but I digress.)

Still, though, isn't a completely unverified bias-driven guess masquerading as truth good enough for you? (The answer is "yes", of course.)
-- Posted by That Guy on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 1:26 pm EST

report this comment


Now the first item That Guy quotes CVPS as saying drives their increase request is an increase in "power", now I may be just a hick Vermonter without the education That Guy(or gal) was able to get wherever it came from but I have to ask where that increase in power cost is coming from. Has Vermont Yankee increased their selling price, Canadian power or the state mandated rate CVPS has to pay to alternate energy suppliers? The next question is what are these alternate sources of energy in Vermont? Have there been a number of wind turbines installed or solar or is that power coming from old, rehabbed dams that have been here for a couple hundred years. If anyone notices That Guy(Gal) never makes any statements of it's own, it waits for someone else to post then Goggles to search for some mis-statement to snipe at or if really desperate points out some stupid mis-spelled word or bad punctuation.
-- Posted by ex-vermonter None on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 9:07 am EST

report this comment


This is delightful. I'm really collecting quite the array of losers, misfits, misanthropes and liars here as my own little internet "enemies". I must say, it certainly brings tears of pride to my eyes.

In any case, it'll be fun to listen to two-stepping frauds like Eckhardt continue to insist that "no one" listens to me... as they continue to respond over and over and over and over and over and over and over...
-- Posted by That Guy on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 9:02 am EST

report this comment


The fallout from the renewable energy legislation passed last year by our legislature is just beginning. The bottom line is Vermonters will be paying more money for energy in a time of great struggle. The legislature should have put these renewable solar projects out to bid, instead of agreeing to pay so much over market..Why do you think we have companies inquiring from Germany about participating? It's not the weather, it's the huge profits going to a hand full of these developers..

Re: Toxic Guy..his constant refusal to answer or back up his statements, coupled with his offensive, hate filled barbs are just not worth responding to people. Ignore the toxic bully is my advice.
-- Posted by Back Nine on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 7:37 am EST

report this comment


I think That Guy is the BIGGEST A$$ ever to be on this site! You must be a treat to live with, if any one does live with you!
-- Posted by True Vermonter on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, 5:56 am EST

report this comment


TG, I was thinking about what would cause you to use a fake name and my first thought is you must work for this rag, but then I realized that your punctuation and grammar are impeccable so that can't be the case. So what is your position in our community that requires you to use a pseudonym and treat everyone like they are inferior to you? Hmmmm..........
-- Posted by David Randall on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 11:55 pm EST

report this comment


Eric Stanton pegged you right on That Guy. No one listens to you. Its been fun have a great night.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 5:20 pm EST

report this comment


Bob, weave, bob, weave, bob, weave, bob, weave.

Needle's on "E", eh, Jim?
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 4:37 pm EST

report this comment


TG "You can't handle the Truth"
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 4:20 pm EST

report this comment


"I have given any sane person more then enough info here to make their own decision."

Revising history already, eh, Jimmy?

No, what you did was to TELL us all that CVPS raised their rates BECAUSE OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL. Had you really hypothesized your deeply-held belief that the rates were going up because you believed it likely that the bill was to blame -- that you thought you might be correct, and that, say, we ought to look into the facts ourselves -- that would be one thing.

But that's not what you did, Jim. You immediately attacked the Legislature and renewable energy companies as the reason why everyone's bills are going up. And as you've now amply proved, you have absolutely no proof for your statements.

You'd sure as hell LIKE it to be true, and I'm sure that you desperately WISH you could prove yourself right, but the fact is that your statements are nothing but personal belief masquerading as known, provable fact.

The rest of your post is schoolyard "no one likes you anyway, you big boogerhead" pap unworthy of further reply, except to say this: if the quality of one's positions are defined by the quality of those who oppose those positions, then I must come away from the Rutland Herald forums looking like a freakin' genius.
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 3:31 pm EST

report this comment


Tg I asked questions you refused to answer. All you do is rag on people with no purpose whatsoever. Its easy for anyone to come on here as you do demanding to know answers to questions you think are relevent. They are not relevent. You get people off target and then try to beat them down. All the while hiding behind your fake username. Everytime I read a blog on the Herald site its not long before someone calls you an idiot (or like). I try having a discussion with you but your name calling and child like behavior makes it a useless attempt. All anyone has to do is look at any writing to the Herald and you are blogging your negative jiberish. Everyone has called you on your negatism and you refuse to get in a real discussion. From what I can see when you are confronted with facts that you don't like you go after the individual instead of the facts. Just go to the journalist article to see what I mean. I have given any sane person more then enough info here to make their own decision. Yes, all of us are wrong and you are right. LOL
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 2:57 pm EST

report this comment


First, Jim, though I hath schooled thee mightily, over and over again, there's no need to refer to me as "thou". (Thanks, all the same.)

Second... thank you again for living down to your hard-earned reputation as this website's premier dishonest hit-and-run artist. I'll give you credit -- you sure know how to stick to your script:

1. Jim Eckhardt makes a ridiculous statement (the Renewable Energy Lobby has bribed Legislatures; CVPS's rate hike is entirely due to the Renewable Energy Bill; there are super-secret special social programs only available to people on unemployment, people deliberately pass up decent jobs to stay on poverty-level unemployment, etc.)

2. That Guy calls him on it and asks for proof.

3. Jim bobs, weaves, and dodges the questions, desperately trying to change the subject.

4. That Guy still calls him on his original accusations and asks for proof.

5. Jim Eckhardt still refuses to back himself up, instead insisting that he alone REALLY knows what's going on and he's practically the Rutland Businessman of the Year and how DARE you question his words and That Guy is a big stupid meanie, anyway.

6. That Guy still calls him on his original accusations and asks for proof.

7. Finally, Jim Eckhardt skulks away into silence, telling That Guy and anyone else still reading that he's done with the discussion and he wins.

Honestly, I can't believe that anyone looks to you as an area business leader of any stature. If you can't handle a simple debate on a newspaper's website, it's no WONDER why you and your organization have such a losing record where it really counts!
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 2:23 pm EST

report this comment


TG dig the past information for yourself. I am not discussing what they did or did not do in past years. Good try thou. And hey look there I asked you a bunch of questions and of course no answers. You can't do it can you? I agree with Frank. Since you have no discussion or answers, Goodbye TG
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 1:05 pm EST

report this comment


Still waiting for proof, Jimbo. Supposition ain't gonna do it, and I'm not going away until you back up your own words with more than just guesses.

And while you're at it, you can explain why CVPS requested a 5% increase in 2004, a 6.15% increase in 2006, and a 4.46% increase in 2007 -- to say nothing of the smaller increases they've requested in-between. How on Earth could CVPS ever raise rates without a nefarious Renewable Energy Lobby bearing down hard upon them?

CVPS is increasing their rates this year only because of Big Bad Renewable?

Prove it.

We're all waiting.
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 12:09 pm EST

report this comment


TG you did not let me down. You can't defend yourself and your stupidity so once again you go on the sensless rambling attack. Okay TG look down 2 posts. Read it slowly so you can comprehend it. Then read it again because your a little slow. Would you agree that we have contracts with CVPS power suppliers? Would you agree that the contracts go until 2012? Would you agree that the Legislature just passed a Bill that guarentees 30 cents p/KwH for small renewable energy projects? Would you agree that that law just kicked in? Would you agree that now CVPS needs a rate increase partially based on increased cost of power? Would you agree that that makes sense? Would you agree that attacking CVPS because they are being forced by the Legislature to buy power at greatly inflated rates is senseless? I don't expect answers from you as it is not your style. If you can't defend yourself then get off this post as it should be for conversation about the topic not the ramblings of a lunatic.

Nice job putting my name, company and RCPBC tie in there. You missed a couple. 2005-2006 Small Business Champion (Legislatively approved) and Leadership Chair for the National Federation of Independent Business. Full disclosure and all.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 11:38 am EST

report this comment


Jim, why bother? TG is useing the same tactic all liberals pull. 1. They will say that you have wrong thinking. 2. They then will try to say that you are some how a danger. 3. Last they will some how try to show that you are for the greedy corporations looking for a profit.
-- Posted by Frank Westcott on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 11:32 am EST

report this comment


Uh-oh. Looks like Jimbo's blown a circuit breaker. (Three posts in a row? I've hit a nerve, I suppose.)

You've already stated here that CVPS is requesting a rate increase because of the Renewable Energy Bill.

Fine.

Prove it.

Prove it to all of us. Don't insinuate, don't hedge, don't show campaign contributions in an attempt to back up your ongoing bribery allegations, don't whine about pseudonyms, don't try to change the subject again.

Prove it.

Jim Eckhardt, Censor Security owner and Rutland County Pro-Business Coaltion President... PROVE your allegation that CVPS's rate increase is due to the Renewable Energy Bill.

Prove it, right here.

Or reveal yourself as the agenda-driven, rumor-mongering liar you appear to be.

Prove it.
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 11:01 am EST

report this comment


T.G. Because I love facts so much and you hate them so much I will give you another one. The Blittersdorfs own NRG and Earth Turbines (renewable energy). You look for their name in this website and maybe you can tell me why so much money went from them to the majority party in Vermont. Those very pesky facts just keep getting in your way. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/06/elec-CHARLOTTE-VT-06.html. Black Helicopter, thats a funny way to justify the point of someone that has no point.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 10:23 am EST

report this comment


Oh and by the way TG. Since our rates are under contract with Vermont Yankee as well as Hydro Quebec until 2012, where is the increased cost for electric power coming from? I'll give you some time to try to figure out an answer. Or maybe you should do what you always do. Attack me, put words in my mouth, and change the subject away from your stupidity.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 10:12 am EST

report this comment


This is your only defense That Guy. Attempt to make people with common sense and some knowledge look foolish. While you continue to attack and attack and offer nothing to the conversation. You can repeat my name a million times if you want while you continue to hide behind a fake name.
Here try this site out. You will notice that the electric rate is going up due to the cost of electricity. http://www.vermontbiz.com/news/november/central-vermont-public-service-seeks-591-percent-rate-increase. Its not the third thing listed its the first thing listed. You hate facts TG they just get in your way and you try your hardest to go after the messenger instead of the issue its what your type does.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 10:08 am EST

report this comment


"Okay That Guy, So are you saying that when the Legislature passes a bill that guarentees certain power producers 30 cents per KWH and CVPS is currently paying 4 cents per KwH that there will be no increase in electric rates?"

This is an admirable attempt to change the subject, but face facts, Jimbo...

You've been caught in yet another lie. Seriously, are you capable of going a whole day here on these forums WITHOUT lying or attempting to mislead others? (My God, I hope your employees record every conversation they have with you!)

You drew a very specific connection between THIS requested increase and the Renewable Energy Bill, Jim. You claimed that THIS increase was a direct result of THIS Legislature's actions. Period.

Now? Oh, well, NOW Jim is changing tactics. NOW -- get this, folks, 'cause here's where things get REALLY entertaining -- NOW Jim is claiming that CVPS is actually IN on the Great Renewable Energy Scam of 2009!

Yes, that's right, ladies and gentlemen: not only has Jim Eckhardt previously asserted that the Legislature was bribed by Big Bad Renewable to pass that bill, he now wants you to believe that CVPS is in on the whole deal!

So, let's see: Renewable Energy bribes the Legislature and CVPS increases THEIR bills but 'cause THEY'RE in on it, they keep quiet, and now OTHER renewable energy companies -- out-of-staters, doncha know, with their evil and sinister and greedy money-making ways (unlike the non-profit saints from Louisiana who own Entergy) -- are "lining up" to steal our money and buy MORE politicians and... and... and... THEY'RE ALL COMING TO STEAL OUR BABIES AND HAVE THEIR WAY WITH OUR WOMENFOLK!

Just curious, Jimmy... do you automatically hide whenever you see black helicopters flying overhead?
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 10:02 am EST

report this comment


We may have one of the lowest rates in the northeast, however we also have the lowest wages in the northeast. We will continue to lose our young workforce because they cannot afford to live in VT.
-- Posted by Ann Marie None on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 9:24 am EST

report this comment


Okay That Guy, So are you saying that when the Legislature passes a bill that guarentees certain power producers 30 cents per KWH and CVPS is currently paying 4 cents per KwH that there will be no increase in electric rates? You wont answer this question because you have no answers just attacks. You are just as out of touch as the Legislators that voted for this Bill (probably more so). Why are companies from all over the world lining up to provide these renewable sources to Vermont? Its because we priced it so high that these Renewable Energy companies can make a huge (greedy) profit. Oh wait they used the magic words, "renewable or green", so they can't be the big greedy companies that folks like you whine over and over about. Don't expect CVPS to come out and say the Legislature did this to you. Why don't you ask your Legislature about the hidden tax in every electric bill? You know the one there not allowed to list as a tax on the electric bill. This is no doubt your brand or politics TG and you can have it.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 9:02 am EST

report this comment


"Where were all you people when the Legislature recently passed a Renewable Energy Bill that guaranteed rates of up to 30 cents per KwH to renewable projects? Seriously, you are wondering why CVPS is asking for an increase? They pay just over 4 cents per KwH. The Legislature in their infinite wisdom just told CVPS to start paying 30 cents per KwH and you thought your rates weren't going to go up? Where did you think the money was going to come from?"

Good God Almighty, here comes Jim "I Wuv Entergy" Eckhardt again, banging the only energy-related drum he owns: Renewable Energy Bad! Nuclear Energy Good! Rrrrrrrrr!

Only problem, of course, is that Jim's off-base, as usual. From TODAY'S Rutland Herald (which Jim probably should have waited for, lest he appear the fool -- again):

"CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said power, transmission and reliability improvement costs are the biggest factors behind the rate increase request.

'Those first three things are responsible for three-quarters of the total costs we're seeing,' Costello said. He said the rate increase could have been bigger if not for the company's cost-control efforts."

In other words, folks, the Renewable Energy Bill Jim Eckhardt's whining about -- again and again and again -- doesn't have a damn thing to do with most if not any of this requested increase, which we all know CVPS won't get in its entirety.

And even if they did, they'd still be nearly 10% lower than the New England average.

I don't like the idea of paying more per month on my CVPS bill either, but I'm not about to make up reasons for the increase like our friend Mr. Eckhardt in order to promote my own agenda.
-- Posted by That Guy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 8:32 am EST

report this comment


Again, This cannot be repeated enough. CVPS is not the villian here. They are passing on the cost of Renewable Energy Legislation passed by our Legislature this last session. Our local Representatives were told over and over again that this would increase the price of electricity during a recession. They did not care they pressed forward with their agenda and passed the Bill anyway. You can't go from paying 4 cents per KwH to up to 30 cents per KwH without either bankrupting your company or increasing rates. Think how much more businesses will have to pay? CVPS is a very good company with what I consider an excellent reputation of keeping the lights on. This is nothing more then the Legislatures bad decisions coming home to roost. Blame them.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 8:31 am EST

report this comment


I would like to know how the independent Ludlow Electric Company can purchase their power from CVPS and sell it for considerably less than CV sells their own for.
Something's wrong with that picture. Maybe Ludlow should hold a class for CV on how to manage their company.
-- Posted by Moses Page on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 7:47 am EST

report this comment


The people who receive social security are not getting a cost of living raise in January because gov't claims there is no inflation. What would they consider this?
-- Posted by vermont transplant None on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 7:35 am EST

report this comment


Hey, if you don't like it, try living without it, don't pay for it, let me know how that works for you all complaining not having power, its one of the best deals you will ever get in this world of crazy prices! Or go purchase a generator, that will cost you at least 100.00 a month just to run! I have no problem paying a little more for power for the great service we get from cvps!
-- Posted by True Vermonter on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 6:57 am EST

report this comment


The state is out to hammer us. we are nothing but sheep to our current legislature. As long as they get their money from us tax payers for their pet projects, welfare programs, funding their pay, and their pay increases.. Vermont state government is to large to be sustainable. And CVPS needs to take a rate hike break this year. Families are on the edge of finacial ruin. And by the looks of things. Our state either dosent care. Or they just are to stupid to see whats going on. I SAY VOTE THEM ALL OUT. Get some people in legislature that have some economic common sence. That are not AFRAID to make budget cuts, and reduce the size of state government. Getting rid of act 60 and 68 would help too. see the artical on ( states woes effects school budget ) on top of a rate increase from CVPS the state figured it isnt raking enough funds from us tax payers so it will hammer us again with another increase in our property taxes. Enough is enough.
-- Posted by John Smith on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 11:58 pm EST

report this comment


Jim...

I don't understand our legislature.

I don't understand where they think people are going to get the money. When will they learn that they have tapped us too deep?

Will it take a civil war against our Local Government before they realize enough is enough?

I'm being serious....

Things are real bad.... Taxes still rise....

Things are real bad.... They still pass Feel-Good laws that will cost us loads more of money that we don't have. Ofcourse they will give themselves a raise to counter the effect on their end. But what about the rest of us?

I honestly think our Local government (Vermont) has lost all sense of reality.

Nothing they do will help us in the future. Everything they touch.. They kill.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 9:50 pm EST

report this comment


Where were all you people when the Legislature recently passed a Renewable Energy Bill that guaranteed rates of up to 30 cents per KwH to renewable projects? Seriously, you are wondering why CVPS is asking for an increase? They pay just over 4 cents per KwH. The Legislature in their infinite wisdom just told CVPS to start paying 30 cents per KwH and you thought your rates weren't going to go up? Where did you think the money was going to come from? You want to blame someone for this increase, blame the members of the Legislature that voted for this Bill. Don't blame the company for passing on the increase for what your Legislature did for you. Its a feel good Bill so how do you feel? You blamed everyone in your postings except the people that are actually responsible for it.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 7:44 pm EST

report this comment


Hats off to the retiree Sue Monro for telling us how it is inside 77 grove Street. As I said eralier, doesnt Bob Young draw a comp package of about a million per year? I have no problem with him making a salary like that if it were a PUBLIC company with competetion......then he would be accountable...I dont think he is as CVPS CEO....It is a utility company.....Hey Bob, what do you have to say?
-- Posted by Palin is Sweet on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 7:20 pm EST

report this comment


CVPS is solving one of my major problems. I've been trying to come up with a way to afford to move the hell out of Vermont. Now, since I can't keep paying all of these bills and I'm going to eventually end up homeless all I have to do is push the shopping cart containing all my belongings down the road to New Hampshire.
-- Posted by Angel None on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 6:27 pm EST

report this comment


The truth is simple....

We need politicians who are willing to look past (Act ?, ??, ???) and give a great incentive to get business to do business within this state.

Our current politicians have all but scared business away. Many are tree huggers and like things the way things are... Many are out of staters who are convinced of their ideals but do not realize the truth... They are failing considerably!

Do they not realize we cannot sustain current conditions?

Are they that ignorant as they collect and receive their Government pay check, and health care?

Are they that ignorant as they continue to host dinners, golf, and other events on Tax payer's dime. Considering it business when we all know that 20 percent of the time it's possibly business. The other 80 percent, of the time, they are partying and having a good time at our expense.



You want lower taxes?

We the people will have to unite. We will have to police our local governments. To make sure they are not playing on our dime.

We will have to VOTE OUT all incumbents who have made politics a career in Vermont and are not doing VT any justice.

We the people will need to seriously get together and decide just how large our Government needs to be. Just how much they are willing to make. And just how much WE are willing to give them as a raise. Not allowing them to vote for their own raises.


VT is in it's current condition, even before the recession, because of our Leader's (All VT Government) mistakes, faults, decisions, choices, votes, and growth.

There is too much that is allowed by our Government.

It's impossible to continue down our current path. You cannot have an entire state working in VT Government and paying taxes just to pay their own wage. It doesn't work.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 6:04 pm EST

report this comment


People.....


Look around.....


How many homes do you see, with FOR SALE signs, that have no one living in them?


It's pretty simple....


There is always a percentage of loss when transporting electricity along power lines.

The electricity continues to cross those lines and lose the same percentage, plus additional loss as it travels greater distances to reach the next paying customer. Since many paying customers, in the middle, are gone!

If you take away 10-20 percent of the normal paying customers. But you still are losing the same percentage, or more, to get electricity from point A to point B. Since less are using inbetween points A and B.

Someone has to pay for it......

If CVPS can prove they lost 8-15 percent from paying customers and business, which should be very easy, and are only asking for a 6 percent increase. We should be thankful it's not more.

LOL Namechange....

Yeah, it just shows the brilliance of None None. I guess he expects it to get cheaper now if we get rid of VT yankee... lol.

None None, the percentage increase for power, without VT Yankee, has also risen considerably.

So if it's a 6 percent increase with VT Yankee operating. Expect an additional 10-20 percent, ontop of the generated increase, without VT Yankee.

Many Vermonters would not survive here without VT Yankee. And taxes will continue to rise as our lifer politicians grant themselves raises. Even as 10-20 percent of the paying tax base leaves the area. They will expect the survivors to make up that difference, plus more.

If something doesn't change. If someone doesn't put a stop to our politicians tyranny, mistakes, and bad decisions. No one will be able to afford to live here except those that make money in other states and buy land here for secondary homes.

Or has that been their goal all along?

Most of our decision making politicians are implants anyhow. Is it possible that this is their goal?

I didn't believe it years ago when people said it. But now I have to wonder.

The only things growing in Vermont, in the past 5-10 years is our Government... State Aid... State employee base... Nonprofit organizations that receive grants from federal and state grants. How do they get money?

Taxes!

Business, Industry, and many companies CEO's/Offices have left the state. (Even Omya's Office has left the state recently.)

Who does that leave to pay tax to survive here?

The homeowner....

How do they survive without a job?

They can't....

Why are our politicians so ignorant to realize the truth?

Maybe they are not ignorant...

Maybe this has been their goal.

Then who would that leave as the ignorant?

Us.....

Because we keep electing these people who are KNOWN failures. Some have been in our Government for 20-40 years.

I think it's time we start electing those UNRECOGNIZEABLE names on the ballots. If we want any chance at a future.
-- Posted by CF Reality on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 5:47 pm EST

report this comment


I love the same line they always use, even with the increase they are still one of the lowest in New England.Having spent over 17 years working there,I can honestly say there is way too much money spent within the company from the numerous $100,000 salaries, delivered lunches and over-sized new vehicles they get each year. Many employees take the vehicles home and use them for personal use. Each year the entire company has to attend a values meeting where they preach talk straight, seize opportunities and deliver. On several occasions these meetings are held at the Killington Grand hotel.Shortly after I retired they spent over $35,000 for new shrubs outside 77 Grove Street. An officer of the company,of which they have too many making $150,000 plus per year,told us to tell our family and friends CV is doing everything it can to save money! Straight talk my foot!
-- Posted by sue monro on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 5:30 pm EST

report this comment


GREAT! Let them take more money from those of us that dont have it!!! My bill already sucks!!
-- Posted by Taylor Hall on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 4:36 pm EST

report this comment


When has the PSB ever said NO! to any request from CVPS?
-- Posted by Name Change on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 4:30 pm EST

report this comment


"so much for your precious "cheap" yankee power

-- Posted by None None on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 11:06 am EST "

Actually None None you can ask yourself If it is 6% WITh Vermont Yankee, How much would it be, without Vermont Yankee?
-- Posted by Name Change on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 4:28 pm EST

report this comment


This is ridiculous. Earnings this year should be in the range of 20 - 30 million dollars with income increasing from last year. See some of press release. In August of this year they reported earnings of 12.4 million year to date and with an increase from last year. Lets see how much we can get from our loyal customers with no competition. Keep in mind they will receive a projected amount of 100's of millions from VT Yankee in the next decade for doing nothing. When it is stated constantly that the rates are low for VT compared with NE does this take into consideration all the additional fees added on beyond the rates per KWH?


Part of a press realease on CVPS earnings

Aug 07, 2009 09:46 ETCentral Vermont Reports Second Quarter EarningsHighlighted Links


Central Vermont Public ServiceRUTLAND, VT--(Marketwire - August 7, 2009) - Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE: CV)


-- Year-to-date earnings of $12.4 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, up
10 cents from last year

- $1.2 million increase in other income, net
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 4:18 pm EST

report this comment


Isn't it comforting to know this same PSB is the same board that thought it was in Vermont's best interest to authorize the sale of Verizon to Fair Point. Believe me when I say, "We are going to get boned AGAIN, thanks to the PSB!"
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 3:40 pm EST

report this comment


Ya suuuuuure! Lowest! PFFFFT
-- Posted by Dwayne Johnson on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 11:48 am EST

report this comment


so much for your precious "cheap" yankee power
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 11:06 am EST

report this comment


What is Bob Young's salary these days? Is he still in the million a year range in compensation?
-- Posted by Palin is Sweet on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, 11:00 am EST

report this comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Register | Log In

Logout