Memphis residents question soaring MLGW utility bills
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Thousands of people in Memphis are trying to understand why their utility bills continue to go up. Some residents say they are having to choose between food or power.
Lakeesha Chapman said her daughter’s October MLGW bill came in at $1,299, more than double what she normally pays.
“And it doesn’t make sense because I’m not the only…we’re not the only ones suffering from that you go from paying $500, or bill that $600 and a bill doubled triple, it’s 12 13-hundred dollars now,” Chapman said.
Chapman wants answers.
“Are you not seeing what we’re seeing? If you see a high rise to the utility bills that were low at first, that should be a red flag,” Chapman said.
Other residents report similar increases
Crystal Hollins, who lives in Cordova, has a similar story.
“So this last bill of course that I’ve seen was a thousand dollars. When I opened it on my phone I was in disbelief,” Hollins said.
Hollins said she has lived in her home for a year and that it is energy-efficient. She said last year, high bills like this were not a problem.
“Memphians, can we have answers to our questions? Seems like everyone has questions regarding their bill,” Hollins said.
MLGW’s electricity source
MLGW purchases its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which saw record energy demand in September due to extreme heat.
MLGW agreed to an interview but asked to revisit it Monday.
The utility’s website lists energy saving tips and highlights a program to send a technician to a home to help lower a customer’s bill.
“They should tell us something, break it down, and it has to make sense for us. Make it make sense for the citizens of Memphis, don’t come with that bull,” Chapman said.
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