When it comes to your power bills, less may mean more.
After the storms that ravaged our area, many people have been surprised when they open their power bills. Some are finding that their bills are the same, if not more than usual.
Susan Small, of the West Virginia Public Service Commission, explains how workers were dispersed after the big storms hit.
"They took employees that are assigned other jobs, like reading meters, and put them basically in parking lots, directing the out of state work crews," she said. "Well, that meant the meters didn't get read for two weeks."
Because no one was available to read the meters, many power companies used an estimated reading based off of what your usage was this time last year.
According to the PSC, next month, those customers should get an actual reading.
"By the time you get your next bill based on an actual reading, your account will be trued up and you'll just be paying for the electricity you've used," said Small.
Theresa Given's son has cerebral palsy. He uses a machine nearly 24 hours a day. Paying the bill this month is going to be tough, but for this family, it's a matter of life and death.
"I've got to pay it because of my son," Given said. "If I don't, that's his life right there."
Officials from the Public Service Commission assured customers that the next bill will balance out this past month's estimated readings.
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