Heat or Eat: Take a Stand and Join
Posted on April 21, 2015 by Samuel Pastrick
Tags, General Interest
Late last fall, I sat in on a public meeting in Southern Oregon for one of the major utilities providing natural gas service to the area. They had just proposed a second rate increase in less than a year– one to which CUB strongly objected.
The purpose behind the meeting was to provide a public space for residential natural gas customers and consumer advocates like CUB to deliver testimony in front of Oregon’s Public Utility Commission and the utility executives who had flown in from out of state. A story from a young mother, who I will refer to here as “Sarah”, stuck with me above all the others I heard speak that night.
Sarah spoke about losing her children for a time, her own difficult upbringing, her fight to become and remain sober, and her triumph in regaining custody of her kids. While Sarah’s voice didn’t have much emotion, even the casual observer could see the tears welling in her eyes.
Though Sarah worked fulltime, albeit for extremely low wages, she explained the difficulty she endured each month – but especially during the winter – to pay her utility bills in full. Already faced with the very real possibility of having her heat turned off, the threat of a new rate increase loomed large.
The truth is: Sarah isn’t alone. All too many Oregonians (including myself, some years ago, at a time when I was newly divorced with four kids at home) are faced with rising utility bills and tough choices to make. For these folks, it’s a “heat-or-eat” choice. I was fortunate because I had family members to lend their support. Sarah wasn’t so lucky, and many other Oregonians face similar obstacles.
When I started my family in the 80’s, CUB was there organizing and advocating on behalf of utility rate-payers. Some years later, when I faced my own “heat-or-eat” choice, CUB was still there advocating for fair utility regulations. And now, after 30 years in service to residential utility customers, I am asking you to join me in supporting CUB by becoming an Inaugural Anniversary Club member so that we can continue to represent the under-represented, hard working residential utility customers like Sarah, me, AND you!
The goal of the Anniversary Club is to raise an additional $30,000 in 2015 by asking our members to contribute $100 or more. And by making a $100 donation before April 30th, you’ll be honored as an Inaugural member. You’ll receive a commemorative certificate, campaign button, and be invited to our Anniversary Club Gathering on June 25th where CUB’s Executive Director, Bob Jenks, will be on hand to deliver key updates on CUB’s 2015 regulatory and legislative work.
Of course, we’re grateful for contributions of any size. However, by joining the Anniversary Club this year, your gift will go a long way in advocating for fair and equitable rates for those who struggle with the “heat or eat” choice, as well as for those of us who don’t. Please take a stand, now and join!
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09/05/22 | 0 Comments | Heat or Eat: Take a Stand and Join