The story started in December 2008. Couple of weeks after we moved into our new house, I called Pepco to "transfer" service from builder to us. The lady on the phone took my information and said all set. January came, and I get no bill. I called again, this time, the guy told me, ok, services transferred now, it wasn't done before. Fine, I have electricity, I am not too worried. February came, still no bill. I call again. Their record has our address in Gaithersburg, that's why we didn't get any bill. So, I told them to change to Rockville. Even though same zip code, still, different city. March came, still no bill, I call yet again. Got my customer ID, and decided to just pay online. Imagine my shock when I saw the bill for $1200. This must have been a mistake! How on earth do 2 people use that much electricity in 2 months? I also checked with other friends, thinking maybe it's possible for a single house to consume that much electricity. Everyone I talked to confirmed the abnormality of this bill. So, I call Pepco yet again.
First step, filed an investigation request with Pepco, to investigate this monster bill. I should have known requesting a company to investigate their own billing is never worth the time or effort. Of course I got a reply saying everything is right, we used that much electricity in 57 days. Not liking that response, we contacted our builder to check if they made any payment to Pepco, for electricity used during construction. They told us no, they have not made any payments. So at this point, we and the builder are in agreement that the $1200 bill should be for the period from construction (July 08) to February 09. We thought it's pretty simple and clear and straight forward. Well, we thought wrong! Not only is Pepco insisting that meter was installed in December, and not earlier, they are saying we used all that electricity in 2 months. Stupid!
So, second step, filing a complaint with the State of Maryland Public Service Commission. Online form was simple, couple of clicks and a short paragraph. We got a confirmation that our complaint was under review. In May, we got a similar response from Pepco, and that we have to provide additional information to the Commission for the complaint to be further reviewed. So, I spent a good 4 hours to write a 2 page dissertation. Trying to be factual and not let my frustration show in words. Found the Official Energy Statistics online, and mailed the whole project in. 3 weeks later (yesterday), I get a response from the Commission. Pepco is not changing their statement. Nothing they can do. Case closed, unless I send a written request to the Assistant Director of the Commission.
I think I almost cried after reading the letter. How in the world do Pepco explain the fact that we had electricity BEFORE the supposed meter installation date in December? And how is it possible for a 2 person household to use that much electricity? Is no one else seeing the absurdity of the claim Pepco is making?! At this point, $1200 is no longer the issue. It's the principle. I refuse to accept that we miraculously had power without a meter, and that we plugged something into every outlet and had everything on for 57 days. So, what do I do? I write yet another letter to the Commission.
So, in summary, this is a long battle, and a very emotional one for some reason. I think I still take things too personally. For the Commission to side with Pepco is like saying we are wrong. And I know we are not! So, if all else fails, our backup plans are 1.buy solar panels and completely cut off Pepco, 2. make Pepco payments at $1/month, or 3. egg their office. But as I am reminded, I am no longer in high school, and egging public buildings is not very "adult like".
This is the kind of random stuff that happens in my life...... What can I say.........
