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Town manager: Bedford received $3.5 million electric bill; residents urge town hall on billing
Summary
Town Manager Warner told the council the town received an unprecedented $3,500,000 monthly charge from AMP after recent weather-driven demand; residents asked the council to host a town hall and reconsider net metering and other relief options.
Town Manager Mr. Warner told the Bedford Town Council that the recent weather and higher usage produced an unusually large monthly charge from the town’s supplier: "Town just received a monthly bill for $3,500,000 from AMP, which is the highest that anybody around here has ever seen." The manager warned demand costs are likely to remain elevated and that the spike is producing financial pressure on municipal and private accounts alike.
The report came as several residents described sharply higher bills and asked for clearer explanations. Anne DeLong, who gave her address as 1512 Clearview Road, asked the council "to consider requesting the administration to hold some type of a town hall or working session where people can come in with their bills" so customers can understand usage, billing mechanics and potential relief options. DeLong also noted several related bills pending in the state legislature, including proposals on weatherization subsidies, residential rate changes and solar incentives.
A resident who identified himself as chairman of the Bedford museum said small nonprofits and churches are being hit as well: "Our electric bill has increased 300% over the last 3 months," he said, and warned that organizations operating on grants and donations are struggling to absorb the higher costs.
Council members and staff said the rise in costs is driven by higher demand and regional market pressures. One member summarized material from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and PJM showing regional peak demand is expected to climb substantially over the coming decade, a factor the town manager said can push capacity and demand charges higher.
What happens next: Council did not adopt new billing policy at the meeting but heard several requests for public education. Members and staff agreed to consider a town hall or working session to let residents bring bills and get one-on-one explanations; no date was set at this meeting.
