Thanks for the electric energy rebate, I think?

By Jesus Manuel Mena Garza -

Having worked for a utility marketing department for many years before I moved back to California, I know that rebates are essentially a sham. What better way to divert attention away from their monopoly then by distributing an insignificant number of rebates.

Thanks for giving me some of "my money" back. Utilities pretend to be altruistic when offering energy rebates when in reality they would terminate the practice if everyone started to take advantage of the program.

Utilities and their bloated (award winning) marketing departments are great at spewing the energy-saving mantra when in the end they know more people will have to use their product. Yes, with the growing number of iPods, cell phones, computers, and coffee bean grinders and such, their jobs are not in danger. Business is good. Being a monopoly, utilities can typically cover even expected losses by charging as little as an additional half a penny per KWH and still make off like bandits. Where else are you going to get your electricity?

In the end some energy company bureaucrat has to drive the company car (gas and insurance included) and alert the media about the wonderful job they are doing. Lets of course not forget to talk about those fantastic rebates.

Yes, I worked for an electric utility. As long as you make your manager happy, somebody has to prop up his or her feet up on the desk all day and read the newspaper.Yes, my old utility company typically had the AC set at 68 degrees during the summer while it was 110 outside. No need to make your own people sweat. By the way, did that press release go out asking people to conserve while offering rebates?

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