Electric rate committee recommends restricting revenue – Wilson Times

Response: “It’s been a waste of time to continue to study and study and study and do nothing,” Dew said. “The legislature created this monster years ago and the legislature should slay this monster.”

I totally agree with Ricardo Dew whom have done much research and study on ElectriCities. I agree with all that he has said addressing this issue be it in Wilson and Rocky Mount NC. C. Dancy II – The Political Agitator

RALEIGH — State lawmakers believe their best shot at reducing electric rates in the future is through legislation.

The Municipal Power Agency Relief subcommittee, co-chaired by Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, and Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash, finalized its study report Thursday that recommends legislation that restricts the use of electric fund revenues and requires revenues be used for debt payments. (More)

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Study panel finds few answers on electric rates – Rocky Mount Telegram 

ElectriCities

Study panel finds few answers on electric rates – Rocky Mount Telegram

Response: They found that refinancing the debt is not an option, Newton said. Doing so would have long-term disadvantages because of the bond market and the nature of the debt.

I hope those ignant host and co-host on and/or those who call in to WHIG TV Morning Show, America In Danger on WHIG TV read this report because I get sick and tired of their ignant comments misleading folks. I have called in several times correcting their ignance.

I just called America in Danger this past Monday night for the 2nd time correcting Robert Cressionnie’s ignance. He asked me the question did I feel it was wrong for the city to take money from utilities to pay for special projects and I said as long as it is legal they can do it and if anyone has a problem with it they need to fight to change it. The damn fool kept asking me the same question saying I was dancing around the answer. I told the damn fool that I was not going to answer the question how he wanted me to. I ended up hanging up on his ignant a . . . I hate it when folks intentionally mislead folks. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

RALEIGH – A legislative committee that has been examining ways to lower electric rates for many residents in Eastern North Carolina is recommending legislation that would limit the amount of money certain cities could transfer from their electric funds to their general funds. (More)

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ElectriCities

Former Rocky Mount Police Chief John Manley Wants To Unseat Rocky Mount City Councilman Andre Knight But Why?

John Manley says he is not running against Rocky Mount City Councilman Andre Knight but I ask the question how does he come up with that?

I have some questions why is Manley running against Knight? I have heard Manley on FM 99.3 Talk Show and seen him on WHIG TV twice and he continues to say he is not running against Knight. What?

I get pissed off every time I see Manley on WHIG TV because they are eating this race up with their racist a . . . I know the deal on WHIG TV because they  have played a major role in trying to unseat Knight over the years. It is so clear that they are pushing Manley because of the conversation they have as if they just love Manley when in fact they don’t give a damn about him but just want to see Knight removed from office. What tickles the hell out of me is when they say Knight has not had anyone of Manley status to run against him so Manley should have a good chance of defeating him. So this means these ignant folks over at WHIG TV think they are speaking for the majority of black folks. Well maybe they are, maybe they know something I don’t know.

I wonder do Manley feel he would have been hired as the Chief of Rocky Mount Police Department if the current council had not been a majority black? Maybe and maybe not I don’t know but what I do know the timing was right with the board in place.

I am trying to figure why would Manley run against the one of the most vocal if not the most vocal councilpersons? Do he feel Knight has not done a good job and if so he need to say it. Knight serves on North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Board and has been one of the most vocal board members there as well whereby he was one of only about 3 black board members. Knight has been responsible for some major changes within NCEMPA which is a branch of the NC ElectriCities Board.

I wonder why Manley didn’t file to run for Mayor and if he had I wonder would WHIG TV be so supportive of him?

I know Manley and Knight well. I don’t live in Rocky Mount but I have family and friends that do. I have worked in Rocky Mount for the past 25 years and I have been to the Rocky Mount Human Relations and City Council meetings longer than that. I have also been a member of the Rocky Mount Branch NAACP since 1993 and also served on the county Democratic Party Executive Committee since the early 90’s as well. I have been a member of other organizations in Rocky Mount. I know politics and almost all of the political leaders and elected officials in Rocky Mount so I am aware of the issues.

Well I hate to see that Manley is running against Knight however it is what it is. I will say I don’t think this is the right time.

If I could vote for anyone it would have to be for Knight because of his record. I feel he deserves to be re-elected because I don’t know of any reason why he should not.

 

The cost of electricity is devastating Eastern North Carolina–IndyWeek.com

In nearly every story, at some point the power gets cut off.

Last month, when the NAACP’s Truth and Hope Tour of Poverty in NC embarked on its two-day tour of high-poverty counties in the northeastern part of the state, those of us on board the bus knew we’d hear the stories of people who have lived in poverty for generations. (More)

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ElectriCities

Lawmakers take another look at electric rates – The Wilson Times

Legislators will take a closer look at electric rates in Eastern North Carolina Tuesday in an effort to find solutions for costs that some say are crippling many residents and business owners.

The Joint Municipal Power Agency Relief committee will meet Tuesday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 544 of the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh. The committee is co-chaired by Sen. Buck Newton, a Republican who represents Wilson and Nash counties, and Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash. (More)

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ElectriCities

Progress-Duke delay good for Eastern N.C. – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram

Some welcome news came this week with the announcement that Duke Energy’s plans to gobble up Progress Energy had been delayed by federal regulators.

Rocky Mount and New Bern can claim victory in the announcement, which experts predict will delay any utility merger for at least three months. (More)

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New Bern NC – Duke-Progress merger blocked by regulators – Source: Sun Journal

City of Rocky Mount Responds to Recent FERC Order–Rejection of Duke-Progress Energy Merger

ElectriCities

New Bern NC – Duke-Progress merger blocked by regulators – Source: Sun Journal

A merger between Duke Energy and Progress Energy to form the largest utilities company in the country has be blocked by federal regulators.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a statement Thursday that Duke and Progress have not done enough to protect competition in North Carolina and South Carolina. (More)

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City of Rocky Mount Responds to Recent FERC Order–Rejection of Duke-Progress Energy Merger

ElectriCities

NCEMPA budget passes; Evans votes in opposition

The N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency board approved its 2012 budget but not without some opposition.

Wilson City Councilman Donald Evans voted against the $719.6 million budget because it includes funding for merit pay increases, based on individual performance, and funding to retain or recognize employees. The budget includes a 3 percent merit pool and $45,000 for retention and recognition. (Read more)

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NCEMPA

Rocky Mount NC: Utilities employees given history lesson on rates–Source: Rocky Mount Telegram

Rocky Mount Public Utilities Director Rich Worsinger gave a presentation to a group of utility employees Thursday in an effort to better educate them about many of the questions customers commonly ask.

The presentation — which Worsinger designed for the public before realizing employees could benefit from it too — includes the history of why the city got into providing utilities, the city’s debt status, how the city’s rates compare and easy tips to conserve energy. (Read more)

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Utilities

Crews, Privott voted onto Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Counsil by Terry Smith Editor But The Town Appointment To The North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Board of Directors Was More Interesting

Now this is damn good, the Tarboro Town Council votes to appoint Jim Alford to replace Sam Nobles on the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Board of Directors. And certain white folks in racist Tarboro talking about experience and other when appointing folks to boards. So why didn’t Patsy Miller and gang didn’t say something or better yet where is her editorial? Oh she and the like are too busy protesting the Black Family Day. LMBAO!! But this appointment was a done deal before the meeting anyway.

I found the following quote by Sam Noble to be too damn interesting when Councilman Rick Page asked to attend the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Conference.

Sam Noble did not hesitate.

"It would be hard to explain t taxpayers," Noble said. "You don’t have to go to Asheville to take  part in all their programs."

Sam Nobles is the same one who received a $1000 per month to serve on the Electricities Board that Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight challenged and the Eastern Board no longer receive monies however the Western Board still does. I can’t believe Nobles went there. Oh hell yeah I can because he has gotten his. Obviously he influenced the council not to appoint Page so therefore there must be a hidden agenda since Alford received the appointment. I am so glad I am familiar with NCEMA and Electricities and don’t have to rely on Nobles to tell the story. Yep attended several NCEMPA meetings and seen Nobles in action. So since Alford attended the meetings with Nobles I guess he looked forward to eating at Parker’s Barbecue after each meeting. LMBAO!!

I ain’t gonna spend anytime on the Cultural Arts Council appointment because the article headlines speaks for itself. Rudolph Knight a known historian and a columnist in the Smith’s newspaper shows just how much “they” think of Knight.

Read the article for yourself and see that the headlines should have been the NCEMPA appointment.

Crews, Privott voted onto Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Counsil

Electric rates take center stage – Source: Wilson Times

New Bern Mayor Lee Bettis and Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight traveled to Wilson Saturday to talk with residents about electric rates and shared concerns about the pending merger of Duke Energy with Progress Energy Carolinas. (Paid Content)

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ElectriCities

Municipalities need to get out of electricity business – Source: The Wilson Times

On Saturday I read of another “feel good” position taken by our politicians and city leaders. The General Assembly is attempting to ensure that public input is required prior to the electric utility rate being raised. I thought this was already the case. (Paid Content)

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ElectriCities

Power Struggle Part 3: ElectriCities Rates Exceed The National Average, Legislation Targets The Power Agency – Source: WITN

If you’re a customer of one of the 32 municipalities that make up the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency managed by ElectriCities, you pay more than Progress or Duke customers for the exact same thing.

The rates the nearly 270,000 ElectriCities customers pay averages 13.6 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to 9.6 cents for Progress, 8.2 cents for Duke, and 11.1 cents for the non-profit Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, which refunded $682,000 to its 22,000 customers last year. Jones/Onslow EMC, with a rate of 10 cents, did the same thing, returning three million dollars in credits or refunds to customers. In fact, the rates ElectriCities customers pay are even higher than the national average of 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour. (Read more)

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Wilson NC – Video: The NC Eastern Municipal Power Agency Meets/Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight 2nd Vice Chair Briefing On The Meeting

ElectriCities

ElectriCities have added a new link to their site “Plugged In”

Click on Plugged in located in the lower left hand side of the page to see “News and insight from ElectriCities CEO Graham Edwards.” See response to the WITN TV story and what happened at the NCEMPA meeting last month Progress Energy CEO addresses NCEMPA Board and Commissioners. (Read more)

Note: I think the best way to solve the ElectriCities thing is for all the cities, the Electric Companies and others involved need to come to the table and see how all parties can best resolve this matter. However until then you can take money from here and there but that will not be eliminating the problem but elevating it. Curmilus Dancy II – The Political Agitator

See related:

WITN TV: Tonight At 6: Power Struggle Part 1, ElectriCities High Rates

Wilson NC – Video: The NC Eastern Municipal Power Agency Meets/Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight 2nd Vice Chair Briefing On The Meeting

ElectriCities

Power Struggle Part 2: Can High Bills For ElectriCities Customers Be Fixed?–Source: WITN

Utility customers in Eastern Carolina who get their power from the Eastern Municipal Power Agency, managed by ElectriCities, are demanding something be done about their high bills.

Wednesday night we reported how rates for the 268,000 customers who get their power from one of the 32 municipalities that make up ElectriCities, have bills 20 to 35 percent higher than other utility customers, according to the CEO of ElectriCities. (Read more)

Note: I think the best way to solve the ElectriCities thing is for all the cities, the Electric Companies and others involved need to come to the table and see how all parties can best resolve this matter. However until then you can take money from here and there but that will not be eliminating the problem but elevating it. Curmilus Dancy II – The Political Agitator

See related:

WITN TV: Tonight At 6: Power Struggle Part 1, ElectriCities High Rates

Wilson NC – Video: The NC Eastern Municipal Power Agency Meets/Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight 2nd Vice Chair Briefing On The Meeting

ElectriCities