Electrifying Edison Bills

* Re “Utility Rate Cut Leaves Many in the Dark,” April 28:

I’d like to say “thank you” to the California Public Utilities Commission for mandating changes to my electric utility bill, thereby making it as confusing as my telephone bill. The bottom line for me is whether my bill is 10% less.

I am skeptical of the efforts of signing an initiative that promises to give me a 20% discount on electricity--while stopping the 10% discount that has already been instituted.

Why? I remember back in 1992 when consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield asked us to support his car insurance initiative (Prop 103) which promised to roll back car insurance rates. I don’t know about the rest of Orange County, but I am still waiting for that reduction!

JUDI CARMICHAEL

Costa Mesa

* Your article about the Edison utility bill inspired me to make a special T-shirt for Harvey Rosenfield that says: “What part of 10% don’t you understand?”

I too was skeptical about all the charges now itemized on my bill, until I focused on the right part of the bill--the top.

Then I took the time to compare my current bill to an old bill with about the same energy use as last year and, sure enough, the bill was about 10% less. In fact, I even compared my current bill with a 1997 bill with less use, and my current bill is still lower.

The calculation is hardly rocket science: multiply your monthly usage times the kilowatt rate, subtract 10% and write the check. Use the savings to pay on your phone bill!

JUDY CONNER

Orange

* Your article finally allowed me to understand what was happening when I read my Southern California Edison bill: a 10% savings of $16.26 in return for paying the “Trust Transfer Amount” of $20.40.

What a deal! And now, Enron, the largest player, has withdrawn from the California power market. Where do I sign the petition for a ballot initiative?

DARRACH G. TAYLOR

Huntington Beach