Editor:
Below is a letter I wrote to Jemez Electric Co-op because they are not coming to my home to read the meter, they are just estimating the reading and sending me outrageous bills. No one has contacted me about this issue.
Mr. Mascareñas: (Co-op general manager Jerry Mascareñas)
I am a disabled United States veteran on a fixed income. I have been extremely overcharged on my bills. I have been paying your outrageous prices. I have had to borrow money to pay these outrageous bills. My bill has been an estimated reading for the past five months or more.
I cannot believe a three-bedroom house can use that much electricity. This matter needs to be investigated to return to a normal bill pricing range.
My first attempt to resolve this issue was useless. A customer representative came to my home to discuss the issue of the bill. He said Jemez estimates my reading because they are afraid of my dog, since that time I have had my dog penned in. I am also home everyday and whoever reads our meter is more than welcome to enter my home to get to the meter for an accurate reading.
I was told my meter went over (rolled over 0000) on my bill for September when my bill was $589. Now it has been estimated my meter to be 1628 which means my meter rolled over a second time in one month.
I then sent you the correct reading which was 8626 and you added 1628 which was your estimated reading thus making my October bill $740.87. My records indicate that I have paid a total of $589.00 for the month of September.
I have received a disconnection notice, which must be paid by Nov. 13, in the amount of $961.00. I do not wish to purchase your company. I am only trying to pay a utility. I have put together a meter reading with my actual reading from July to October.
My actual reading shows my meter is about to turn, I can’t believe that a three bedroom house will turn the meter three times in three months. In the past my bills have always been in the range of $120. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $120 This is all that I can afford to pay this month.
Fernando Garcia Jr.
Española
(Editor’s note: Mr. Garcia’s letter was edited for length and clarity and meter readings were removed. The letter was forwarded to Jerry Mascareñas twice Nov., 14 and again Nov. 20 and we asked for comment or possible resolution to the complaint. Mascareñas did not respond.)