News Release - Electric Bill Concerns
Electric Bill Concerns – Update 01-17-2020
News Release (Friday, January 17, 2020 @ 2:50 pm)
Wrangell Municipal Light & Power (WML&P) continued the investigation of community concerns regarding increased consumption of electrical power during the latter part of 2019. Following is an update of efforts since mid-December:
Meter Testing: Eleven additional meters have been tested, bringing the total to 14. A fully functioning meter operates within an accuracy range of 99.8%-100.2%. None of the meters tested above 100% accuracy. One of the three meters was found to be operating at 99.7% accuracy. It is important to recognize that meters operating outside of the required accuracy range either quit reading entirely (digital meter) or read at a slower rate, not faster (mechanical meter). Inoperable meters is not the culprit.
Meter Re-Reads: All meters were re-read. Significant care was taken to ensure no mis-reads. Due to extensive double-checking WML&P believes all, but one, mis-read was caught prior to release of the December bills.
No Frequency Changes: WML&P has confirmed with SEAPA there were NO frequency changes. If there had been it would have impacted all rate payers.
Other Communities: WML&P staff has checked with Petersburg and Ketchikan in search of anything that would explain select abnormal electrical usage.
Individual Troubleshooting: Several additional homeowners have worked with WML&P staff to trouble shoot any possible issues. Each circumstance is unique.
At this time WML&P has been unable to find any cause on the transmission side of the meters that would have produced increased demand.
Anyone with new or continued concerns is encouraged to contact Wrangell Municipal Light & Power at 874-3602.
Electric Bill Concerns – Update 01-17-2020
We are working on an update to the Electric Bill Concerns from the December 2019 billing and will post it today. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Electric Bill Concerns – Update 12-13-2019
Wrangell Municipal Light & Power (WML&P) continues to investigate community concerns regarding increased consumption of electrical power. Below is a summary of efforts:
Meter Testing: Three (3) meters have been tested. A fully functioning meter operates within an accuracy range of 99.8%-100.2%. One of the three meters was found to be operating at 99.7% accuracy. It is important to recognize that meters operating outside of the required accuracy range either quit reading entirely (digital meter) or read at a slower rate, not faster (mechanical meter). Inoperable meters is not the culprit.
Meter Re-Reads: Thirty-six (36) meters have been re-read. All of the re-reads have proven to be within consistent kilowatt usage. Of note, there is not a way to manipulate the reading of a meter.
Individual Troubleshooting: Some homeowners have worked with WML&P staff to trouble shoot issues. In some instances, inefficiently operating appliances and equipment, or appliances left “turned on” have been found to be drawing significant power.
Heating Degree Days: WML&P has compared heating degree days between the last billing cycle and this billing cycle. For the previous billing cycle the number was 471.4. For the most recent billing cycle it was 742.7. This can make a significant difference for those households on electric power.
Length of Billing Cycle: There were five more days in this billing cycle than the last, which equates to nearly a week more of power consumption than the previous billing cycle.
Power Draw over the Tyee Transmission Line: WML&P staff have compared the power draw from Tyee with the amount of local demand and found there to be no anomalies.
Investigating the issue will continue. There are no easy answers as the circumstances that contribute to each individual level of power consumption are so different. Concerned customers are still encouraged to call the WML&P office at 907-874-3602.
WML&P will report out to the community again next week.
News Release (Friday, December 6, 2019 @ 11:30 am)
Electric Bill Concerns
Wrangell Municipal Light & Power (WML&P) is aware of what seems to be significant, unexplained spikes in electric consumption for a number of customers. WML&P is investigating the situation and hopes to have an update for the community by the middle of next week.
Customers with concerns are encouraged to call WML&P at 874-3602.
Please also be sure to check personally for any increased electric usage that may be contributing to consumption. Turning electric heat on for the first time this season, running space heaters, heat tape on pipes, and generally more use of lights due to this dark period of the year, can all contribute to increased consumption.
Our thanks to the residents who have, and continue, to bring concerns to our attention. Your patience is appreciated while we investigate. Expect to hear an update next week.
