
Because SWEPCO overcharged customers $23 million, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell said he is proposing a plan for the utility provider to issue refunds. He said the average customer would receive a credit of $62, to be divided over three billing periods July, August, and September.
“The money does not belong to SWEPCO, it belongs to the people. I want the people to get the money back, it’s just the right thing to do,” said Campbell.
Twelve northwest parishes were impacted by the overcharge. Campbell said once SWEPCO discovered the error they contacted him.
“SWEPCO wanted to do some other things with the money, tree-trimming and stuff like that and I said oh no, no, no that’s the people’s money, you give the money back to the people,” said Campbell.
Campbell said the refund for businesses that use a large amount of wattage will be substantial.
“If you have a big business, it’s about 10% so think about something about something like LSU up here, the LSU hospital. They use thousands of dollars’ worth of electricity, and they will get a big, big refund, thousands of dollars,” said Campbell.
Campbell said the PSC will vote on the refund proposal at Wednesday’s meeting.
Comments