CPAPtalk.com

Hose_Head wrote:
Can I also complain, then, about the special rates that my utility charges to energy heavy industries or to municipalities for streetlights? They pay a fraction of the cost that I have to. Why are they subsidized? Your model might work if all were charged the same rates. The fact is that there are many different rate structures that are used by utilities. Then why not a discount for medical equipment? Socialism's not necessarily a bad thing.

As a sample point of one, there's no such discount (as far as I can ascertain) in Toronto Ontario. So more than Australia "gets it", from your point of view.

Yes you can it's the U.S.A. for now. Where do municipalities get money for for streetlights, from us in taxes... Most users of electric power, pay on a sliding scale for power, the more you use the less per unit you pay, also some users pay on time and demand, their rates vary by time of use, and some get lower rates for off demand times, some are billed for the largest amount of power they use in a given period of time. As a homeowner, I am billed according to the amount of electric I use, the more KWH the lower the rate is. Good thing you think "Socialism's not necessarily a bad thing", as our country is turning to it, in 10 years recheck your compass... It may be telling you more about socialism. The system didn't work to will in Russia. Jim

Goofproof wrote:

Hose_Head wrote:
Can I also complain, then, about the special rates that my utility charges to energy heavy industries or to municipalities for streetlights? They pay a fraction of the cost that I have to. Why are they subsidized? Your model might work if all were charged the same rates. The fact is that there are many different rate structures that are used by utilities. Then why not a discount for medical equipment? Socialism's not necessarily a bad thing.

As a sample point of one, there's no such discount (as far as I can ascertain) in Toronto Ontario. So more than Australia "gets it", from your point of view.

Yes you can it's the U.S.A. for now. Where do municipalities get money for for streetlights, from us in taxes... Most users of electric power, pay on a sliding scale for power, the more you use the less per unit you pay, also some users pay on time and demand, their rates vary by time of use, and some get lower rates for off demand times, some are billed for the largest amount of power they use in a given period of time. As a homeowner, I am billed according to the amount of electric I use, the more KWH the lower the rate is. Good thing you think "Socialism's not necessarily a bad thing", as our country is turning to it, in 10 years recheck your compass... It may be telling you more about socialism. The system didn't work to will in Russia. Jim

So just consider the electric discount to users of medical equipment to be a volume discount, similar to that paid by heavy industry. It's NOT a bad thing.

And also remember that I'm NOT in the US. I live in a semi-socialist country to your north called Canada. It's been working pretty well here for decades. If the US is moving in this direction, then you may in for a treat.

LinkC wrote:

Uncle_Bob wrote:By the looks of your profile pic, you should be telling us?

Good one! A ladybug on the corrector plate (front "lens") will get your heart started!

This is going completely over my head. What is that thing?

I wrote to our energy provider and they made it quite clear that they don't give any discounts or any special considerations for essential medical equipment - damn cheapskates!!

Oh, and they suggested I should purchase a generator or power backup for when power goes out.

Cheers,
xena

xenablue wrote:I wrote to our energy provider and they made it quite clear that they don't give any discounts or any special considerations for essential medical equipment - damn cheapskates!!

Oh, and they suggested I should purchase a generator or power backup for when power goes out.

Sounds like my rural electric power. No discounts for anything. No special considerations.

Though they do call you about 30 minutes before any scheduled work which will disrupt service. Course the phone call is an automated recording that absolutely nothing can be understood and the only reason I found out about the scheduled outage was when I called back the number that showed up on the phone ID to see why they were calling me.

PST wrote:

LinkC wrote:

Uncle_Bob wrote:By the looks of your profile pic, you should be telling us?

Good one! A ladybug on the corrector plate (front "lens") will get your heart started!

This is going completely over my head. What is that thing?

It's a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, made by Meade. Looks like a 10". http://www.meade.com/

PST wrote:This is going completely over my head. What is that thing?

It's an astronomical telescope. Specifically, a Meade LX-200GPS 10-in diameter. Or, as I like to call it "My big blue 10-incher"...

Hmmm. For some reason I am finding Link to be unusually charming lately.

Eh, Link is like Michigan weather. Hang around a few minutes, it'll change.

I emailed my electricity provider, and I asked:
It has come to my attention that some power companies have a program to provide additional consideration for medical electrical requirements at home. Does my provider offer this type of program?

And they replied:
Mike, while restoration priority is not available to customers following outages, MidAmerican Energy does offer a life support program. To learn more about the life support program, the life sustaining equipment needed, or how to enroll please visit our website at http://www.midamericanenergy.com/service17.aspx.

So in a nutshell, MidAmerican Energy
Service Discount NO
Disconnect for non payment prevention NO
Preferred restoration of service NO
Notification of scheduled outages YES

I would suggest that everyone ask their electricity provider and report back.
mike

.mike wrote:Notification of scheduled outages YES

That is all my power company will do also.