FirstEnergy's 'gift' outrageous

When a Toledo-based television station announced that FirstEnergy, parent company of Toledo Edison, intended delivering "free" energy-efficient light bulbs to customers it sounded great. Apparently the station had not been told other details.

What the station may not have known was the utility's plan to add a monthly charge of 60¢ on customers' bills for three years to recoup their 'gift." The bill for consumers would total nearly $22. Most consumers can purchase this particular type of bulb for about $6.50 to $7 each.

And get this... consumers would be billed for the bulbs whether they wanted them or not! (Retail cost of a bulb is only a couple bucks, realizing FirstEnergy a nice profit to boot!)

Amazingly the Public Utilities Commission approved the plan in July, once again demonstrating how the commission works for utilities, not for consumers.

Thankfully, consumer groups and citizens shed light on the scheme. Last week the plan was put on hold, allowing for discussions between the utility and regulators.

This proposal is comparable to offering county residents a free subscription to this newspaper, then quietly adding the cost onto their property taxes or some other billing vehicle.

FirstEnergy's program should not be postponed... it should be completely shelved. There's only one word for it: Outrageous!