Switching power to the people ...

The Herald Sun is asking all Victorians to join in its campaign against rapidly rising electricity prices...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/editorials/switching-to-people-power/story-e6frfhqo-1225989965710

Your stories

If you're not happy with the distribution companies' moves to gain further price increases or you're already struggling to pay your electricity bills, then tell us your story by posting a comment in the box below.

Consumer groups take on distributors to keep electricity prices down

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/battlers-take-on-electricity-giants/story-e6frf7jo-1225989949677

The Consumer Action Law Centre and the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre have applied to the Australian Competition Tribunal for leave to intervene on behalf of consumers, in the appeals lodged by Victoria’s five electricity distributors against the Australian Energy Regulator’s recent price determinations that cut back the amounts the distributors wanted to charge consumers over the next five years.

Distribution costs account for around 40% of household electricity bills and it would be unfair if Victorian consumers were forced to pay millions of unnecessary extra dollars because distributors were able to argue for more money in court proceedings in which consumers did not get a say. 

Law firm Maurice Blackburn is representing the organisations in the proceedings on a pro bono basis, supported by barristers Kristine Hanscombe SC and Melanie Szydzik.

A hearing to be held on 17 February 2010 will determine whether the distributors will be given leave to proceed with their appeal and, if so, whether consumer advocates will be given permission to intervene.  If given the go ahead, the appeal is expected to be heard in March 2010.

Distribution costs will be increasing no matter what

Victoria’s electricity distributors are preparing to appeal the Australian Energy Regulator’s pricing decisions in the Australian Competition Tribunal next month.

However, even if they don’t succeed in this legal action, Victoria’s residential power bills will still be rising, on average, by $28.36 in 2011 and $47.82 in each of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 – that’s a total average increase of $219.67 over the next five years. 

Price increases will vary between distributors, and you should contact your distributor to find out how these price rises will affect you and complain if you’re not happy with their answer. For example, customers of SP Ausnet will see bills rise by $82.08 in 2011, with a total increase of $313.28 by the end of 2015.

	2011 increase	Ave p.a. 2012-2015	Total increase
CitiPower	-$25.60	$24.16	$171.04
Powercor	$17.20	$43.40	$190.80
Jemena	$49.24	$42.40	$218.84
United Energy	$18.92	$46.36	$204.36
SP AusNet	$82.08	$57.80	$313.28
Ave increases	$28.37	$47.82	$219.67

If you think these cost rises are enough and you don't think distributors should be asking for the power to increase your power bill even further, then write to them and let them know you're unhappy.

Do you think Victoria's energy distributors want to charge too much?

Then write to them and tell them so

CitiPower – Covers Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs

www.citipower.com.au

Phone: 131 280

Jemena Electricity Networks – Covers the north-west greater metropolitan region of Melbourne

www.jemena.com.au

Phone: 131 626

Powercor Australia – Covers Melbourne's outer western suburbs as well as regional and rural centres in the central and western areas of the state such as Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong

www.powercor.com.au

Phone: 13 24 12

SP AusNet – Covers Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan area and eastern Victoria

www.sp-ausnet.com.au

Phone: 131 799

United Energy Distribution – Covers the south-east Melbourne metropolitan area and the Mornington Peninsula

www.ue.com.au

Phone: 132 099

For a map of the areas covered by your energy distributor, visit the Australian Energy Regulator's website ttp://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/741401