Working on a chemical plant account and Duke Energy has them on Schedule LS-P (primary voltage) but they're actually taking secondary voltage through a pad-mount transformer. Been billed this way for 18 months. Anyone dealt with similar misclassification issues? Looking at about $3,200/month in overpayments due to the voltage differential.
Primary vs Secondary Voltage - Rate Schedule Confusion
Eugene - We see this all the time with industrial accounts. The utility owns the transformer but customer takes secondary, so they should be on LS-S not LS-P. File a billing review request ASAP. Duke is usually pretty good about retroactive adjustments once you show the metering configuration. Document everything with photos of the service entrance.
Linda's right about the documentation. Had a similar case with a steel foundry in Ohio - AEP had them misclassified for 2 years. Got back $68K in refunds but it took 6 months of back and forth. The key is proving the actual voltage level at the point of delivery, not just what's on the rate schedule.
Thanks both. Filed the review yesterday with photos and single-line diagrams. Derek, did AEP give you interest on that $68K refund? Duke's tariff mentions interest on overpayments but it's pretty vague about the calculation method.
Yes, got interest but it was calculated from only 6 months back, not the full 2 years. Better than nothing though. Make sure to push for the full retroactive period in your initial request - they won't offer it unless you ask specifically.