Just a heads up to everyone - I'm finding significant discrepancies between published 2018 rate schedules and what utilities are actually billing. KCP&L here in Kansas City updated their Schedule LGS tariff in January but their billing system is still using 2017 rate factors for several components. The demand charge increased from $8.42 to $9.15 per kW but bills are showing $8.42. Sounds like good news for customers, but it means they'll eventually face massive catch-up charges when the utility discovers the error. I've already notified three clients to set aside funds for inevitable back-billing. Anyone else seeing this pattern?
PSA: Check your 2018 rate schedules carefully
Randall, I'm seeing something similar with Nashville Electric Service. Their Schedule GS rate update included new time-of-use periods but the billing system is applying flat rates to some accounts that should be on TOU. Customers are actually benefiting short-term but NES will eventually correct it and back-bill. The concerning part is that tariffs typically allow utilities to back-bill for up to 24 months when they discover under-billing errors. I'm advising clients to track the discrepancies and budget for eventual corrections rather than enjoy temporary savings.
This is exactly why I maintain spreadsheets tracking published rates versus billed rates for all my Virginia clients. Dominion Energy implemented new Schedule 6 rates in January and I've found billing discrepancies on 8 out of 15 accounts I've reviewed. Some favor customers, some favor the utility, but all represent billing errors that will eventually require correction. The smart approach is documenting everything now so you can verify any future adjustments are calculated properly. I've seen utilities make errors in both directions when correcting their original mistakes.