Just finished an audit for a mid-size church that's been incorrectly billed on Duke Energy's general service rate instead of their religious facility schedule. Average monthly bill was $1,850 but should have been around $1,650. Utility is balking at going back more than 2 years even though the error was theirs. Anyone had success pushing Duke beyond their standard 24-month limit?
Church on wrong rate schedule for 6 years
Duke can be stubborn on the lookback period. File with the NC Utilities Commission if that's your state - they've sided with customers when the utility clearly made the classification error. Document everything showing the church qualified for the religious rate from day one.
Tony's advice is solid. Religious facility rates are pretty clear-cut qualification wise. If Duke classified them wrong initially and never reviewed it, that's on them. The commission complaint route has worked for me in similar situations. Just be prepared for a 4-6 month process.
Thanks Randy and Tony. I'll start the commission complaint process. The church has excellent documentation of their non-profit status from day one, so we should have a strong case for the full 6-year recovery.