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I'm one of the "subsidizers" for other users. Northeast Nebraska Public Power District loves to toot it's own horn about how they help several thousand people every winter keep the power on when they can't afford it. They never come out and say that they are just overcharging the rest of us so someone doesn't have to have to live without cable, a cell phone, internet, or probably a car they can't afford. Maybe if some of my neighbors would prioritize their needs, manage their money, and be responsible for their own bills I wouldn't have to pay for their heat during the winter. Barring extraordinary circumstances, I can't imagine anything being more important to a family than keeping the milk cold and the house warm...but sadly that is not always the thinking in America where somebody else will just pick up the bill.
I've very seriously considered moving my personal residence off of the grid. My meager solar array and small wind turbine would almost cover my day to day electricity and farm needs, but I would have to kick on the generator and set up a cleaner transfer switch to run the lathe, milling machine, or welders. Figure I would spend more in diesel/wear and tear on equipment then I would on the $19.99 "service charge" that gets attached to every bill. This will probably not be true if my electricity bill goes up very much more than it is presently.
It's time that the utility companies move to a better business plan. The days of every person needing to buy gross amounts of electricity to see after sunset and watch TV are over. Solar, wind, and various other types of power generation are getting cheaper, more reliable, and more available. Not to mention how much more efficient bulbs and appliances have become. Just like any other business they need to find a way to produce their product at a more affordable cost or their customers will get service somewhere else.
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