Letter to the editor: We are responsible for our own surging utility costs

OPINION:

It is really rich that North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate and former Gov. Roy Cooper’s latest ad accuses Republican candidate Michael Whatley of being responsible for the rise in utility rates.

Mr. Whatley is a former lobbyist for Duke Energy. Lobbyists present the arguments of their clients to the legislature. They have no power to set rates. It is the legislators, including the governor, who approve increases in utility rates.

So of the two men, if anyone is responsible for North Carolina’s higher utility bills, it is the former governor. Once again, Mr. Cooper is taking advantage of the ignorance of the voters.

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Using the threat of “climate change,” Democratic policies continue to drive up utility prices. For example, the Green New Deal — designed to force Americans to give up their gas-powered cars in favor of electric vehicles (EVs) — is a major culprit on its own. It was passed by the Democrats with near-unanimous opposition from Republicans.

It is also worth pointing out that, as a rule, utility companies do not make huge profits. These companies are under enormous pressure to expand supply while strengthening the grid. What’s more, they are never awarded the full rate increases they request. That they manage to meet demand under ever-increasing constraints is laudable.

Finally, we all share some of the blame for the increases in our electric bills. In addition to EVs, there is the constant drain from the multitude of “cordless” tools and appliances now in near universal use, the needless computerization of our appliances and an expanding reliance on a “assistants” like Siri, Alexa and Echo.

If we want to blame anyone for rising energy costs, we need to look in the mirror.

KATHY DEMAY

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Knightdale, North Carolina