Letter to the Editor

Does Turner pass smell test?

Dear Editor:

It was interesting reading about the data error leading to outrageous commercial charges to local businesses [The Sheet, February 9]; this came after my own visit to Turner Propane to complain about residential bills. Data error? I’m not sure I believe it; the explanation doesn’t pass the smell test, no pun intended here in a matter involving gas.

Seriously, though, how does a data error like that occur in the first place?  If none of the business owners had complained, would the error have been discovered internally and refunds paid?

It also doesn’t explain why residential rates can be different for two homes a half mile from each other. It doesn’t explain why a friend of mine said she’s paying different commercial rates at her various business locations.

It doesn’t explain why we’re paying more now than in December of 2009, when the commodity price of propane was at a peak high, over $1.27 per gallon, when the price of propane is currently at a low of 86 cents per gallon.

The local manager said we are at “winter rates.” What’s that supposed to mean? Shouldn’t the rate be based on supply and the cost of propane to Amerigas/Turner? I suppose it just means that Amerigas can take advantage of us more now when our gas usage is inevitably higher, as opposed to pricing that is based on the company’s actual costs. There is no supply and demand in the equation right now, only the demand side variable.

As an aside, we should question this business about local refineries being shut down. It brings to mind the rolling blackouts that occurred down in Los Angeles some years back. Apparently, it was explained, a generator facility was shut down for repairs and maintenance.

As it turned out, Enron reportedly shut it down on purpose to create a false shortage of energy, and employees were allegedly taped talking about how they were going to *&%$ over the old ladies in California. Hmm …

We should be extremely skeptical about anything Amerigas/Turner says concerning local gas service. It is all so arbitrary and capricious, and it is a true monopoly if there ever was one. This is the real explanation for our gas pricing travails.

As a necessity of life in a municipality of more than 8,000 residents and even far greater numbers of regular visitors and homeowners, a true utility controlled by a single company, a monopoly, I can’t understand how the gas business here can go unregulated.

Dan O’Connell
Mammoth Lakes