LES Wants More of Your Money
By: Mr. Wilson on
January 31, 2008
Lincoln Electric System wants to raise rates by 5.5% (see the info sheet [PDF]). The Lincoln Employers Coalition and the Lincoln Independent Business Association disagree, preferring a 4% or 4.5% increase. (Well, I'm sure they, like all of us, prefer a 0% increase, but it doesn't sound like that's a viable option.)
One of the points of contention is LES's sustainable energy program. Both the LEC and LIBA support a voluntary program -- not unlike Lincoln Cares, I presume -- in which folks decide on their own whether or not to give to the program.
My barrier at this point is a lack of information. I'm not sure what the sustainable energy program entails, and why it needs funding of $1 million. If that $1 million will actually do something -- like generate sustainable energy or directly assist in cutting costs -- great. But if it's primarily an informational fund ("You should install CFLs!"), you can probably count me out. I'm reasonably happy with LES's current informational campaigns, and to me, an extra million isn't likely to have sufficient results to justify the costs. But again, I don't have details right now (and I don't see any on LES's website), so this is all hypothetical.
What are your thoughts on the rate hike? Should we fight it, live with it, or consider it a bargain?