Greg Salyer: Bee got PG&E’s rate wrong, they’re higher than MID’s
Re “Think MID’s rates are low? You’d better think again” (Front page, June 5): I’m disappointed in reporter Garth Stapley’s narrow interpretation of MID’s electric rates and finances in his special report on the price of power. His electric rate analysis was inaccurate and out of date. When comparing utilities we’ve always requested The Bee use the most current electric rates for all utilities. For example, the information on PG&E’s rates was from 2014; since then PG&E has raised its rates, and MID hasn’t. PG&E reports to the California Public Utilities Commission that its current average residential rate is 19.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. MID’s average residential rate is 18 cents per kilowatt-hour.
While we don’t dispute providing information to industry organizations such as the Energy Information Administration, we do dispute “The Bee’s findings and methodology.” MID hasn’t raised rates since 2011. Conveniently, The Bee’s analysis failed to show rate adjustments by other utilities in the last two years. If current rates were used, The Bee’s analysis would confirm that MID rates are in fact lower than PG&E’s.
The Bee’s assumptions on MID’s financial statements and reporting was misleading. Clarification and explanation of MID’s calculations and methodologies repeatedly provided by MID to The Bee were missing. MID publishes professionally prepared and independently audited financial statements each year and posts them on our website for all to see and review.
MID is a not-for-profit organization. We’re not owned by stockholders; no dividends or profits are added to our rates. MID uses revenue to cover operational costs, pay down debt and invest in our infrastructure. We appreciate The Bee’s efforts to help educate our customers; however, we request that The Bee use accurate and up-to-date statements and math when reporting on rates.
Greg Salyer, Interim MID General Manager
Editor’s note: The Bee conducted a revenue analysis, not a rates analysis. Data were obtained through the U.S. Energy Information Administration and American Public Power Association. The Bee stands by its reporting.
This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Greg Salyer: Bee got PG&E’s rate wrong, they’re higher than MID’s."