Customers upset after Coast Electric reveals billing error

Around 4,500 South Mississippians are voicing their concerns after finding out they are being impacted by a billing error from their power company.

In a statement made on September 17th, Coast Electric said a billing error charged customers incomplete amounts and are now asking for payment after the fact.

This billing error affected 5% of their 90,000 customers who were being charged $0.041 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) instead of the correct rate of $0.087 per kWh.

Upset customers flocked to Facebook to voice their concerns and show the bills sent to them with the amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Coast Electric has offered payment plans to those affected but many residents are frustrated that they’re paying for Coast Electric’s mistake.

Coast Electric customer Brad Otterson said, “From the beginning of the year in January to the end of August they’ve been under billing me. What I don’t get is how a company like that make a mistake for that long without catching it and expect someone to pay it.”

Addressing the issue in a press conference was Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Wayne Carr who had this to say about the billing error. “I talked to them this morning in length. They’ve apologized intently that this happened. It was human error, oversight on their part. They’re willing to work with the members. They don’t have to come next month they can go 8 or 12 months or longer to get this taken care of.”

Anyone who has been affected by the billing error is urged to contact Coast Electric directly.

So many of you have voiced your concerns on our WXXV Facebook page. We want you to continue the conversation and tell us how you’re being impacted by this news. You can click here to do that.